Dr Sunila J Prasad
MBBS, BSc (Hons) in Reproductive Medicine, MRCPCH, Lic Ac
About me
People often ask how I transitioned from being an NHS paediatric doctor to setting up a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acupuncture clinic.
I loved my work as a children's doctor. It was incredibly rewarding to witness the resilience of children and to support parents through some of the toughest times in their lives. However, as fulfilling as it was, I felt the lows just as deeply and the emotional challenges of the job began to outweigh the professional satisfaction. The deep compassion and care I poured into helping my young patients and their families started to work against me. Eventually, I realised I couldn’t see a happy future continuing along this path, so I asked myself, How else can I help people?
That question brought me back to my childhood. My family is from Kerala, South India—the heartland of Ayurvedic medicine. Growing up, we turned first to natural remedies when I was unwell. My mum had also introduced me to TCM, having received acupuncture herself and even taking me to see a practitioner.
With some pre-existing knowledge of Ayurvedic medicine and a love for learning new things, I enrolled in a three-year diploma program in TCM acupuncture, and it was a perfect fit. Acupuncture allows me to diagnose, treat, and—most importantly—care for my patients as a whole, addressing mind, body, and spirit.
With my medical degree and a first-class degree in Reproductive Medicine from Imperial College London, I’m very well-equipped to support Women’s health and Fertility in my clinic from a holistic viewpoint. I’ve also pursued further studies in Acupuncture for Fertility, Pregnancy, Menopause, and Facial enhancement, and I lecture at my alma mater, the City College of Acupuncture in London, sharing my knowledge with future practitioners. And of course, I love treating children in clinic too!
My background in Western medicine is a unique asset for my patients. Health is multidimensional, and so should be our approach to it. I’m acutely aware of where Western medicine is essential, yet there are often areas where other healing forms, like Acupuncture, can complement it. If you’re curious about these options, I warmly encourage you to explore them, and you’re always welcome to chat with someone like me, who has experience in both worlds.