Julie Butterworth MBA, BSc(Hons), LicAc
Hello, I’m Julie
I’m Julie Butterworth, an acupuncturist with training in Functional Medicine and a particular interest in complex, persistent and interconnected health concerns.
I believe people deserve the time and space to tell the whole story of their health—not simply the symptom that brought them through the door. My approach brings together traditional acupuncture, contemporary clinical thinking and a careful exploration of the wider factors that may be influencing how you feel.
Before moving into healthcare, I spent more than 20 years working in business and raised three children. Those experiences have shaped how I practise: with curiosity, warmth, practicality and an understanding that health never exists separately from the rest of life.
Why I look at the whole picture
People rarely arrive with just one neatly defined concern. Pain may be accompanied by poor sleep; hormonal changes may affect mood, energy and digestion; and persistent symptoms can gradually influence confidence, relationships and everyday life.
My acupuncture training taught me to notice these connections and to see each person as more than a collection of symptoms. I later undertook training in Functional Medicine because I wanted to explore the underlying physiology in greater depth—including the possible influence of nutrition, metabolic health, inflammation, stress and lifestyle.
Bringing these perspectives together allows me to ask broader questions while remaining focused on what is practical and relevant for you. There is no standard programme or predetermined treatment plan: we begin with your experience, your priorities and what you would most like to change.
Training and professional experience
I hold an MBA from the University of Bath, as well as a BSc (Hons) and Licentiate in Acupuncture from the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine, where I trained in both Traditional Chinese Medicine and Five Element acupuncture. I have also undertaken training with the Institute for Functional Medicine, developing my understanding of the relationships between nutrition, physiology, lifestyle and long-term health.
My postgraduate acupuncture training includes neurological and scalp acupuncture—particularly Yamamoto New Scalp Acupuncture (YNSA)—as well as approaches for musculoskeletal health, women’s health and paediatric care.
I am currently undertaking an 18-month Daoist Acupuncture Apprenticeship: an in-depth postgraduate programme in classical Chinese medicine. The course combines traditional apprenticeship-style learning with practical and clinical training in areas including classical acupuncture, Master Tung acupuncture, nutrition and Daoist approaches to health and self-cultivation. It is helping me deepen both my clinical skills and my understanding of the classical principles underlying Chinese medicine.
Neurological health and rehabilitation are particular areas of professional interest, alongside menopause, persistent pain and complex health concerns. I remain committed to continuing professional development and to bringing new learning into my practice thoughtfully and responsibly.
A little about me
Away from the clinic, I’m a mother of three and grandmother to two grandaughters. Family life has taught me a great deal about resilience, responsibility and the many different demands we place on ourselves at different stages of life.
I love theatre and have been involved in local productions both on and behind the stage. Music, gardens, good conversation and long walks with my Hungarian Vizsla, Gravy, are among the things that restore me. I’m endlessly curious about people—what shapes us, how we adapt and what helps us feel more fully ourselves.
Let’s look at the whole picture
If you’re living with symptoms that feel persistent, complex or interconnected, an initial consultation gives us time to explore what has been happening, understand what matters most to you and consider a thoughtful way forward.