Learn more about Chinese Traditional Medicine and Gardenvale TCM in our blog
In addition to acupuncture, Chinese Medicine includes a range of treatment options including herbal medicine, diet therapy, cupping and acupressure. Acupressure involves the stimulation of acupuncture points by fingers, hands and elbows. Acupressure can be applied at home to keep up momentum in between treatments. Acupressure can also be used by partners to help their
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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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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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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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A very common complaint in the clinic so let’s chat about it. Bloating has become one of those symptoms that we have all experienced at some point and for some, it has almost become a way of life. With all the new foods and drinks introduced to our diet alongside the weight of social/emotional/physical stressors
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Blood Glucose & Chinese Medicine Chinese medicine is founded on a concept of balance, balance between the Yin and the Yang. This concept applies to everything beyond just Yin and Yang, and included in that is the balance of blood glucose. In this blog, we explore the significance of blood glucose and how its fluctuations
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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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How does our breath impact the nervous system? Let’s talk about it… In our fast-paced lives, stress can take a toll on our nervous systems. If only there was a way to take a break from the stress and the business of the mind. Enter breath-work – a simple yet powerful practice that is gaining
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Did you know you have ‘wind points’ at the back of your neck and at the base of your skull? This is usually not common knowledge. However, according to Traditional Chinese medicine these ‘wind points’ are commonly affected by over-exposure to cold and wind, and this can be the precursor to catching the common cold.
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Method Use boiled water to make sure it’s sterile. Add enough salt to make it a similar strength to seawater. Here you can use a traditional neti pot or a syringe or even Tupperware sauce bottle Gently pour in one nostril at a time
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For ladies who like to exercise in a more vigorous (yang) style, it may be important to tailor your exercise program with your menstrual cycle to improve your health. Below is an outline of what is happening to your body during your cycle, and how to exercise to help avoid injury and maintain good health.
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Chinese medicine has an interesting approach to food and eating for better health…
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Menstrual cycle and mental health Despite recent studies that have found a correlation between mental health and the female menstrual cycle, conventional medicine still overlooks this connection when addressing mental health related issues. Women often suffer the rollercoaster ride of their menstrual cycle in silence. When help is sought, important psychiatric treatment and/or medication is
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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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How does acupuncture work? This is a question I get a fair bit, especially after people see how effective it is for assisting with symptoms of pain. It is all about Qi and healthy blood flow Qi represents healthy oxygenated blood flowing through your body. If you have a healthy movement of Qi, you should
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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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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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The Liver Detox, is it a thing? I know you may be thinking, why am I, as an acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist, debunking the “Liver Detox”, one of the most common concepts in the alternative/complementary health field? Well, it’s just that we have a sophisticated detoxifying organ on board already. It doesn’t really need any
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A sign saying menopause approaching warning for the symptoms including weight gain
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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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Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome – Part 1 Nick and Zoe sit down to discuss Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome as part of our deep dive into Women’s Health & Hormonal Imbalances. In this 3 part series they will discuss the what, why, how and what’s next of PCOS. For part 1, explaining what PCOS is and how it
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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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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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Signs of Heat As we move through Spring and into the early days of Summer, I am seeing plenty of signs of heat in the clinic. It’s the dormant seed in us wiggling out of the ground and sprouting, stretching its arms and getting things flowing inside. With that and the warmer weather comes Heat.
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Spring foods Chinese Medicine strongly believes in eating according to the season for optimal digestion. In warmer weather you can enjoy more cooling foods, whilst in cooler weather you should eat more warming foods. In spring the weather is still relatively cool, so we encourage you try and eat more warming and pungent foods such
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Finally we can wake and shake off the dregs of the cold damp winter. The arrival of spring brings warmer temperatures and less frost, the trees begin to bud and flower and the grass starts to grow. In Chinese medicine the season of spring relates to a Yang energy, which creates a growing upward and
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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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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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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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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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When is it appropriate to take antibiotics? How to know if your infection is viral or bacterial.
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Let’s discuss some of my top skin care tips as a Cosmetic Acupuncturist… Achieving and maintaining healthy, radiant skin requires a holistic approach. There are a few things that we can do that can support our skin and help it glow as much as possible. If you are getting cosmetic acupuncture, these top tips will
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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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We need to talk about ‘Stress’! In today’s fast-paced world, stress is a constant presence in our lives. While a little stress can help us stay alert and focused, chronic stress can lead to profound impacts on our physical and emotional well-being. Stress is a natural response from the body in response to challenges or threats.
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