Ailments & Conditions, Recipes, All Things Chinese Medicine and Lifestyle Blog Posts
What are the benefits of Belly Breathing, and why do we suggest it to most of our patients? What exactly are the benefits of Belly Breathing? Why do we need to do it, and how do we ensure we breathe deeply into our bellies? Keep reading… Diaphragmatic breathing Deep belly breathing, also known as diaphragmatic
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Phases of the Menstrual Cycle Part 3: The Luteal Phase We’ve been talking about the phases of the cycle on here. We’ve touched on menstruation, the follicular phase and ovulation, now last but not least, is the Luteal. Now this phase of our cycle can certainly be the cause of lots of anguish for everyone
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Let’s talk TMJ, the temporomandibular joint Let’s talk about TMJ, TMJ syndrome and what you can do to manage symptoms. TMJ syndrome can be a real hassle, but there are ways to manage it and find relief. It’s a common condition that affects the jaw joint and surrounding muscles and many can have it without
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Movement matters, but sometimes we feel too strapped for time to get in some exercise. Or sometimes, we just feel too low on energy to move. It is so easy to get caught up in our busy lives that we don’t set time aside for any movement whether its stretching, walking or exercise of another
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The Prostate Gland In A Nutshell What’s it all about then? The prostate gland, a small but significant part of the male reproductive system. Even though we may hear about it, it’s common for us not to really know what it is and does and why it can be problematic. What does the prostate gland
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Scar and Wound Healing We can learn a lot about our health through our skin, especially if we notice that we are easy to get little nicks and scrapes, or the healing process isn’t as neat or quick as we’d like it to be. So, let’s chat about scar and wound healing. It’s normal for
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Soda Noodle Salad Recipe This delicious Soba Noodle Salad recipe, courtesy of the amazing Margo White, is a must-try! Ingredients Noodle Salad Peanut Sauce Method And lastly, enjoy your delicious Soba Noodle Salad! – Margo Click here to read more about Margo or book an appointment with her!
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Hormonal changes in teenage years Teenage years are challenging enough as it is, but the hormonal changes that come with them can sometimes only add to the stress of navigating this period of life. The novel influx of hormones only adds to the angst of navigating the teenage years – mood swings, acne, body changes,
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Supporting fertility with foods in TCM Chinese medicine believes in a holistic approach for every aspect of health. This means, not only keeping up with your herbs and treatments. But, also prioritising a healthy diet and lifestyle. What we eat can have a massive impact on not only our gut-health and digestion, but also can
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Protecting your Immunity in Winter It’s that time of year again where every day feels colder than the last and our heaters are working over-time. Everyone’s favourite season… Winter! So, I think it’s time we have a chat about protecting yourself and your immunity in the winter. Winter can pose unique challenges to the body
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So, we’ve heard of Gua Sha for the face… but what about other places on the body? Recently, facial gua sha has become quite prevalent. Gua Sha uses a jade tool to lightly draw across the face, neck, and chest in certain patterns to move fluid retention, stimulate microcirculation, release tight face muscles, soften wrinkles,
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Do you need to be taking supplements for fertility? And if so, which ones? As anyone who has struggled to conceive knows, infertility can be a hard journey with many treatment possibilities. But, one factor that may boost your chances can be relatively simple: your diet. Micronutrients you get through food or supplements play a
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How can acupuncture be used for IVF? Acupuncture is an exciting option for those undergoing IVF who are looking for some support. Acupuncture may help to improve the chances of conceiving from IVF and support a successful birth. Additionally, it’s an excellent choice for couples who want to avoid the side effects of medication. So,
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So, what does the ideal period actually look like? When it comes to periods, our information may be relative to our own experiences or what we hear from friends and family. I’m here to share with you my idea of the ideal period! First off, understand your bleed. Volume: A light period can require less
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Have you noticed that you seem to get more injuries in the winter? Let’s discuss why that might be happening… Winter is here, with all the joys that come with it, including an influx of old injuries playing up (and new ones). Which begs to question… are we more susceptible to injuries in colder weather?
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Tired of waking up with stiff, achy joints that make simple movements a challenge? Acupuncture might hold the key to unlocking improved joint mobility and relieving discomfort. Let’s explore how acupuncture can help alleviate stiff joints and improve overall joint health. Understanding Stiff Joints: Stiff joints can result from various factors: age, injury, overuse, inflammation,
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Let’s talk about Libido… I think the time has come, so let’s talk about Libido. Low libido essentially means low sex drive, but it can also be associated with no sex drive or not being able to get or sustain an erection. However, that issue could also be referred to as erectile dysfunction. They have different terms,
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How are you doing?No, how are you really doing? Did anyone know during the month of June we had Men’s Health week? No? Well, I’m not surprised. We don’t really like to talk about it. But that’s the problem right there. So I thought I’d have a little rant about health in a way the chaps might find
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Low back pain…. truly a pain in the backside! Careers where you spend a long time bent over at a desk, poor posture, and stress can all contribute to back stiffness, tension, and aching. However, acupuncture is here to help. Our main goals through treatment are to: and Within one session, you should feel immediate
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Headaches can be a pain in the…… The reasons why we get headaches seems like a never ending list: The good news is, acupuncture is an excellent thing to do to help with your headaches. Interestingly a number of acupuncture points will can reduce headaches even if the cause of them is unclear. Some points are so
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A sign saying menopause approaching warning for the symptoms including weight gain
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This Dill and Cucumber Salad is the perfect summer side salad! This Dill and Cucumber Salad is the perfect summer side dish. Not only is it delicious, but it also has medicinal properties as well! In terms of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the cucumber is known for its cool nature, giving it the ability to
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What actually happens in a Cosmetic acupuncture appointment? What should you expect? Are you wondering what exactly happens in a Cosmetic Acupuncture appointment? Liah runs us through what to expect during an appointment and shows us what a cosmetic acupuncture treatment actually looks like. What is Cosmetic Acupuncture? As the title implies, Cosmetic Acupuncture is
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Bitter melon is a gourd that originated from India and was introduced in China in the 14th century. Although bitter melon is not a common fruit, it has a lot of health benefits, especially in the warmer seasons. It is rich in fibre, iron, calcium, vitamin c and is great for overall well-being. From a
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Cosmetic acupuncture has become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason! It is a celebrity-approved facial treatment that can transform ageing, acne-prone, scarred, and uneven skin tone. As a painless alternative to the injection of chemicals, laser and other invasive procedures, cosmetic acupuncture is relaxing and 100% natural. You may be asking, what
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Are you experiencing irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, difficulty sleeping at night, mood swings and approaching your forties? You may be approaching perimenopause or menopause. Menopause is a natural process that occurs when a woman stops having periods permanently and cannot become pregnant naturally. Perimenopause means ‘around menopause’ and indicates the time in which
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We are delighted to introduce you to you one of the newest members of the Gardenvale TCM team, Michelle! Michelle is an extremely passionate and knowledgeable practitioner that and we are thrilled to have join our team. Michelle is a registered Acupuncturist and Chinese Herbalist. Michelle’s commitment to incorporating both traditional and modern knowledge encouraged
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That persistent Melbourne cold loves to make its way into our bodies and lodge deep into our muscles and channels. Feeling creaky and stiff in the morning? Cold fingers and toes? Slow digestion? You may have Cold in your channels. Cold can also make its way into our bodies through diet: raw, cold, and energetically cold foods (such
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We are so please to introduce you to the newest member of the Gardenvale TCM team, Liah! Liah brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to our community and we are excited to have her join the team this month. Liah is an Acupuncturist, Chinese Herbal Medicine Practitioner and Dispenser. Liah’s commitment to fusing the
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We tend to be more susceptible to colds during winter, as the wind and cold can force our immune system to work harder than it is used to. The nature of cold is slow and constricting and this can occur on a physiological level as it constricts our blood vessels and impacts circulation, leading to
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recommended intake The below is also explained in each tab; The Australian dietary guidelines recommend 5-6 serves of veggies per day and on average most adults only have 2.5 serves. So what is a serving size? A standard serving size is about 75g which equates to: 1/2 cup cooked green or orange veggies (broccoli, spinach,
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Need some breakfast inspiration? Our nutritionist Margo White has created fruity baked oats that the whole family can enjoy! Ingreadients 2 cups oats 2 cups milk (coconut, almond, cows, soy) 1 tsp cinnamon 2 eggs I grated zucchini (extra nutrition and you can’t taste it) 2 tbsp hemp seeds 1 mashed banana 1/4 cup maple
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Spice up your weekend breakfast with these simple sugar free 3 ingredient crepes. Ingredients 110g flour/GF flour 2 Large eggs 230 mls milk Method Whisk flour and eggs into a large mixing bowl and whisk until smooth. Gradually pour in the milk while whisking – this should create a lovely pourable batter. Heat large frypan
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What is a BBT Chart: Basal Body Temperature (BBT) charting was first identified in the 1930s as a rhythm method of birth control. With the addition of monitoring cervical fluid and cervical positioning, the rhythm method of contraception upheld a 98% success rate. This newfound fertility awareness opened up a wealth of information to increase
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Cooking Tips & Tricks For Supercharged Meatballs Tips on how to make your meatballs superfood worthy (and extra delicious): Use almond meal as your binding agent for gluten free balls and blood sugar stabilisation Add bone broth powder and grass fed gelatine for gut support A pinch of seaweed flakes adds important trace minerals, such
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Lets talk meal/food prep… How many times have you caught yourself snacking non-stop throughout the day, never feeling satisfied, or being in too much of a rush to prepare a proper meal making you opt for an easier and less nutritious option? It happens to the best of us. But, an easy fix is meal
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We have discussed Pulse Diagnosis so we thought why not touch on Tongue Diagnosis. Tongue Diagnosis is another tool used in a TCM consultation to reveal how the body is functioning. As you can tell by the image, when looking at the tongue we look at its colour, shape, coating and movements. These characteristics highlight
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Each and every consultation with our practitioners involves them feeling your pulses. But why do they do this? The pulse is a very important diagnostic tool in TCM. As you can see in the photo above, Nick has 3 fingers placed over the pulse. This is because of the three sections of the pulse, Cun
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These delicious bliss balls are the perfect snack to bring to a festive gathering. Goji berries are high in antioxidants, especially zeaxanthin which helps the eyes. They contain large amounts of vitamins A and C, which together with the antioxidants help the immune system. They also contain beta-carotene, which is known for its ability to
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Super easy and nutritious apple and cinnamon gluten free muffins. Ingredients 3 eggs 2 apples 3 Tbs maple syrup 1/2 tsp natural vanilla extract 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 cup almond meal 1 tsp gluten free baking powder Method Pre heat oven to 170 C Combine ingredients in blender/food processor Pour combined ingredients into a
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We have been having lots of patients coming through the clinic recently with Hay Fever symptoms. So, we have a few tips to survive the hay fever season: Hydrate Make sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day. Dehydration places significant stress on the body which may exacerbate hay fever symptoms. Avoid the wind
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This delicious smoothie is a gut loving bowl full of vitamin C and antioxidants. You can be as creative as you like with toppings. You have the option of an additional sweetener. However the bananas and berries will make it sweet enough without. Ingredients 1/2 cups frozen berries Handful of kale or baby spinach leaves
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