George Cooper studied biological sciences at Oxford and during his studies developed a severe digestive illness. After experiencing no benefit from conventional approaches to this illness, he looked increasingly to Chinese medical techniques, and then embarked on a long training in traditional Chinese medicine at universities in the U.K., China and Australia. He now lives in Somerset and runs a busy clinic in Bristol offering acupuncture, herbs and nutritional advice. He also teaches regularly at the University of Bristol Medical School and the College of Naturopathic Medicine.