In this practical webinar, Dr. Carl Clarkson shares how acupuncture and dry needling can fast-track patient results, enhance your clinical outcomes, and expand your earning potential. Whether you’re NHS, private practice, or just exploring new tools, Carl breaks down the real-world impact of needling, what the research says, and how to get started. Expect honest insights, stories from clinicians, and a clear path from curiosity to clinical confidence.Perfect if you're wondering, “Does this really work and is it worth learning?” Spoiler: Yes. Here’s why.

In this episode, Carl Clarkson unpacks how acupuncture affects the autonomic nervous system, including the balance between the sympathetic ("fight or flight") and parasympathetic ("rest and digest") systems.

Learn how acupuncture can support patients with stress, anxiety, insomnia, IBS, hot flushes, and other signs of nervous system dysregulation. Carl blends traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) concepts like yin and yang with modern clinical evidence to explain how acupuncture promotes nervous system regulation.

In this episode, Carl Clarkson explores the clinical nuances of treating tendinopathies—those frustrating tendon issues that affect up to 30% of adults. Carl unpacks the real-world challenges clinicians face with traditional loading approaches, and shares compelling case studies where acupuncture and dry needling made a significant impact, even for sceptical patients.From reactive to degenerative tendinopathies, you'll learn how to integrate acupuncture within a multimodal approach, supported by both Western science and Traditional Chinese Medicine principles. Discover key acupuncture points, dry needling techniques, and clinical reasoning strategies that can transform your tendonopathy management.🎯 Ideal for physios, sports therapists, and healthcare professionals seeking evidence-informed tools for stubborn tendon pain.👍 Like, share, and comment to let us know what resonated—or what you’d like to hear more of next time!

Fibromyalgia is a complex and often misunderstood condition, affecting up to 2 million people in the UK, predominantly women. In this episode, Carl Clarkson breaks down what fibromyalgia really looks like in clinical practice, why it’s so difficult to diagnose, and how acupuncture can play a meaningful role in symptom management.He explores:

- The wide range of symptoms, from chronic pain and fatigue to “fibro fog” and IBS

- The emotional, physical, and social toll fibromyalgia takes on sufferers

- Central sensitisation, the autonomic nervous system, and why even light touch can be painful

- Why fibromyalgia patients often turn to acupuncture when other treatments fall short

- How acupuncture may help by creating a window of opportunity for better movement, mood, and recovery

- Three practical acupuncture point recipes you can use in clinic today

This is a must-listen for practitioners looking to better support patients with complex, chronic conditions, especially when traditional options aren’t cutting it.

In this episode, Carl Clarkson dives deep into the complex world of migraines—one of the most common yet misunderstood neurological conditions. With around 10 million people affected in the UK alone, Carl explores why traditional medical approaches often fall short and how acupuncture offers a promising alternative. You’ll learn about the latest evidence supporting acupuncture for migraine prevention, insights from both Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and practical guidance on treatment approaches. Whether you're a practitioner or a migraine sufferer, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and clinical value.

In this episode of the Breeze Academy Podcast, Carl Clarkson dives deep into one of the most frequently asked questions in the clinic and on courses: What’s the difference between acupuncture and dry needling? Carl breaks down the key distinctions in terms of purpose, technique, and physiological impact. From short-term pain relief and performance enhancement with dry needling to the broader, longer-term benefits of acupuncture—including its use for persistent pain, stress, and overall wellbeing—this episode helps practitioners understand when, why, and how to use each approach. Whether you’re new to needling or looking to refine your practice, this is a must-listen.

Dopamine plays a massive role in how we move, feel, connect, and stay motivated — but most of us don’t realise how much it’s driving our day-to-day decisions. In this episode, we dive into the complex relationship between dopamine and acupuncture, exploring how acupuncture might influence the brain’s reward pathways, regulate mood, reduce addictive behaviours, and even impact hormonal balance.

We break down key dopamine pathways like the mesolimbic system, the role of the nucleus accumbens in habit formation and pleasure, and how imbalances in dopamine can lead to everything from burnout to anxiety, low motivation, and even physical symptoms like fatigue or tremors. Drawing on studies from rodent models to fMRI trials, we look at how acupuncture could modulate dopamine levels through the vagus nerve, GABA pathways, and the HPA axis.

Learn more about Breeze Academy: ⁠https://breeze.academy⁠Follow us on Instagram @breeze.academy.professionalGot questions? Email us at [email protected]

Overactive Bladder (OAB) affects millions — yet it’s rarely talked about. In this powerful episode, Carl sits down with pelvic health physiotherapist Dr. Emma Hargreaves to shine a light on a condition that can quietly impact everyday life, relationships, and confidence.

But this conversation isn’t just about the symptoms — it’s about real solutions. From physiotherapy to acupuncture, we explore how people are reclaiming control of their bodies and lives. You’ll learn how acupuncture is now being used in clinical settings to calm the nervous system, reduce urgency, and address the root causes of bladder dysfunction.

Whether you’re a healthcare professional or someone silently navigating OAB, this episode offers knowledge, hope, and practical tools for healing.

Topics we cover:

Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) affects between 20% and 50% of pregnant individuals, with up to 25% experiencing severe pain that impacts daily life (Vleeming et al., 2008). Yet despite its prevalence, PPGP is often underdiagnosed or dismissed as a "normal" pregnancy symptom, leaving many women without the care they need.In this episode, we explore:

- The real causes of PPGP and why it persists in some women postpartum.

- How underdiagnosis and misinformation contribute to unnecessary suffering.

- What healthcare professionals should be doing differently to support pregnant individuals

Referenced Research:

General Overview & Prevalence of PPGP:

- Vleeming, A., et al. (2008). European guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic girdle pain. European Spine Journal.

- Wu, W. H., et al. (2008). Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPP), I: Terminology, clinical presentation, and prevalence. European Spine Journal.

- Mogren, I. M., & Pohjanen, A. I. (2005). Low back pain and pelvic pain during pregnancy: Prevalence and risk factors. Spine.Functional Impact of PPGP:

- Robinson, H. S., et al. (2010). Pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy: The impact on function. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica.

- Gutke, A., Ostgaard, H. C., & Oberg, B. (2010). Pelvic girdle pain and lumbar pain in pregnancy: A cohort study of the consequences in terms of health and functioning. Spine.

Long-Term Effects & Risk Factors:

- Elden, H., et al. (2016). Predictors and consequences of long-term pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain: A longitudinal follow-up study. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders.

Treatment & Management Strategies:

- Guittier, M. J., et al. (2014). Effectiveness of acupuncture to treat pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.

- Elden, H., et al. (2005). Effects of acupuncture and stabilising exercises as adjunct to standard treatment in pregnant women with pelvic girdle pain: Randomised single blind controlled trial. BMJ.

- Kvorning, N., et al. (2004). Acupuncture relieves pelvic and low-back pain in late pregnancy. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica.- Park, J., et al. (2014). The safety of acupuncture during pregnancy: A systematic review. Acupuncture in Medicine.

Patient Experiences & Advocacy:

Pierce, H., et al. (2012). Pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain: Listening to Australian women. Nursing Research and Practice.

Learn more about Breeze Academy: https://breeze.academy

Follow us on Instagram @breeze.academy.professional

Got questions? Email us at [email protected]

In this episode, we explore how acupuncture influences the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis, the system that controls stress, metabolism, and immune function.We break down:- How the HPA axis responds to stress- What happens when it’s overactive or underactive- How acupuncture can help regulate cortisol, improve sleep, and support overall well-beingReferenced Research:Trevizan-Baú & McAllen (2024) – Acupuncture at GV20, PC6, and HT7 reduces HPA axis overactivity and cortisol secretion.Ma et al. (2025) – ST36 and SP6 improve energy metabolism, adrenal function, and stress resilience.Zhao et al. (2024) – Yintang, Anmian, and KD3 enhance sleep quality and regulate melatonin in HPA-dysregulated individuals.Zheng et al. (2024) – LI4 and BL23 lower inflammation markers and support adrenal recovery

Learn more about Breeze Academy: https://breeze.academy

Follow us on Instagram @breeze.academy.professional

Got questions? Email us at [email protected]