CHILDLESS couples can be helped to conceive with a unique combination of acupuncture, shiatsu massage and a special diet, a local acupuncturist claims.

Mancunian Bernard Nolan, 56, packed up his needles and massage bed and moved to Roxborough Road in Harrow three years ago, bringing his oriental medical practice to the Stanmore Medical Centre, in Wilson Drive.

Backed by his daughters, Hayley - a budding actress, Korin - a presenter on Channel 5's current affairs programme The Wright Stuff and his wife, Julia, Bernard is completely confident in his ability to help couples with non-sepecifc fertility problems.

To date, the 15 couples he has treated on his acupuncture for infertility programme have all managed to conceive and although he admits this is just the beginning, he believes his unique approach will help hundreds of couples succeed.

He said: "Although I have only worked with a few couples I have had a 100 per cent success rate, I'm just waiting for more results to come through.

"The worst acupuncture can do is nothing, the best it can do get really good results."

Practising one day a week at the Stanmore site and also from The Third Space Medicine, a private medical centre in Piccadilly, Bernard has an impressive CV. Originally specialising in sports injuries, he has worked with the Australian cycling team and is currently the consultant acupuncturist for Watford FC.

Explaining the benefits of the needle therapy Bernard said: "It is very good for pain, muscular problems, arthritis and gynaecological conditions. It is a unique form of medicine in the West but it is what they used in the East before there were drugs. It is completely natural."

Bernard's love of oriental medicine took him all over Asia when learning his trade and he believes just one programme of treatment will help couples having problems.

He explained: "People with non-specific fertility problems often have nothing medically wrong with them, they just cannot conceive. I treat them according to oriental medicine, so every treatment is different."

Bernard treats both the man and the woman. They are put on a special blood-type diet, taught Shiatsu techniques to use on each other and attend two training days over a two-month period.

He said: "Relaxation is very important, when we are relaxed we feel better in ourselves."

Acupuncturists believe there are 12 lines of energy running along the body which affect each organ. To treat pain, needles are inserted along the lines, allowing energy to flow freely.

An individual treatment with Bernard costs £40. Couples enrolled in the two month programme will also be seen by renowned obstetrician Gowri Motha, who will treat them with Ayurvedic (Indian) medicine. Charges for the fertility programme start at £3,000.

For more information call Bernard on 07905 664 611.