​My name is Maria Karabova. I am a fully licensed Acupuncturist specialising in a variety of holistic treatment services, mainly chronic conditions and mental health problems.

 

Originally from Slovakia, I moved to the UK in 2012 to enroll in a three-year study of Acupuncture at the International College of Oriental Medicine in East Grinstead, Sussex. The course consisted of both Chinese Medicine and Western medicine, in order to understand an illness from both perspectives and recognise the most efficient treatment in time. We covered extensive curriculum in Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, as well as the history and different schools of Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture points and a unique treatment system called Stems and Branches. Furthermore we also covered the basics of research and therapy. Perhaps the most rewarding lessons were Personal and Professional Development classes. This was a course dedicated to learning how to be a better practitioner. In order to do that, we had to work through our own emotional trauma, and learn to heal ourselves first.

 

These three years were (up until then) the most challenging years of my life - the course required not only excellent language and academic skills, but it was also both in-depth and very quick-paced. Simply keeping up was not enough - deeper understanding was essential. However, the entire process was, in a strange way, enjoyable: thanks to the intensity of the course, we built strong bonds of friendship with my fellow classmates, which made me feel somehow at home.

Throughout the course, we have received amazing amounts of support from our teachers, who went well above and beyond their responsibilities, to enable us to become better practitioners - and better people. 

​

I graduated from International College of Oriental Medicine in 2015 with a Bachelor's degree in Acupuncture. 

Since graduation I have practised at Bridgeham Clinic in Crawley. This was a busy Complementary medicine clinic which offered Osteopathy, Pilates and massage, naming a few. There I quickly gained invaluable skill in treating a range of musculo-skeletal problems. In order to broaden my expertise, I also volunteered in the UK (Olive Tree Cancer Centre) as well as in Slovakia (where I set up a pop-up multi-bed clinic, and treated up to 20 patients per day), in order to gain as much practice experience as possible.

​

Unfortunately, due to considerable financial strain, this was not a feasible plan for many years to come. I managed to keep this up for nearly a year, before realising that I could no longer keep it up.

Shortly thereafter, due to personal circumstances I wrapped my business in the UK up and at the end of 2016 relocated to the Isle of Man.

​

For better or for worse, setting up business in the Isle of Man took over a year, but felt that much more rewarding! I tried to set up in several places, until I finally settled at the Rushen Abbey Complementary Clinic in Ballasalla. This clinic has been set up by three practitioners: Sukie Davies, a Chiropractor, me, the acupuncturist, and Jenny James - an aromatherapist and Yoga teacher. Together we are working on improving the quality of life, health and wellbeing of Isle of Man residents (and visitors) on every level - physical, psycho-emotional and spiritual.