Acupuncture
Acupuncture uses very fine needles into different areas in the body to engage a healing response. Acupuncture will attempt to increase blood flow to a particular area and help the brain release pain relieving neurotransmitters and hormones. This will help your body to reduce the affects of stress, pain and inflammation.
Acupuncture has also been shown to release endorphins and hormones which can reduce the affects of prolonged stress and have a relaxing affect.
Acupuncture needles are inserted in the muscles and certain joints of the body. They are normally retained for a period of twenty to thirty minutes. This may vary depending on the treatment strategy. Acupuncture should not be painful or an unpleasant experience. Some points can be initially sensitive but settle shortly afterwards. The sensations of treatment can vary, quite often during treatment the needled area can feel heavy, numb or can ache slightly.
For more information on acupuncture check our FAQ section
Hygiene
Your health is of great importance to us.
We follow the regulations from the Australian Chinese Medicine Registration Board. It requires that acupuncture needles purchased are pre sterilised and are single use only. After use, acupuncture needles are disposed of in a hazardous waste container.
Chinese Herbal Medicine
Chinese herbal medicine is a powerful modality used to help restore health.
It is a tailored medicine for each individual person. Single herbs are mixed together to create a formula specifically suited for each patient. As their condition changes and improves so will the formula to ensure optimal recovery.
The most popular method of taking Chinese medicine herbs is in granule form. Granules are easier to prepare and take than the more traditional method of cooking raw herbs. The granules dissolve easily with a small amount of boiling water and are swallowed. A majority of herbs prescribed at the clinic are in granule form.
Other popular herbal products are patent pill/capsules or tinctures. These are pre made formulas. Usually not as potent as personally tailored granules, but can be very convenient in some circumstances, for example during travel. Or used as an adjunct to your regular formula.
For an acute condition usually a high dose will be prescribed for a short period. If the issue is of a chronic nature the herbs will still provide relief quickly but for sustainable results a longer herbal treatment is usually more appropriate.
For more information on herbal medicine check our FAQ section
Safety
Chinese herbal medicine is generally safe to use however like all medications reactions and interaction can occur. Providing the practitioner is aware of all current medication and supplements used by the patient, the most appropriate formula will be prescribed to reduce the risk of interaction.
Cupping
Cupping involves heating up a specially designed glass cup and placing this on the skin. The heat inside the cup creates suction and draws the skin and superficial muscles up into the cup. The strength of the suction will depend on the amount of heat used.
Due to the drawing up motion of cupping, the muscles are stretched which provides good relief from pain. Cupping can also be used to draw cold and stagnation out of the body. This can help restore blood flow to areas or particular body functions.
Cupping is mostly done on the back over acupuncture points. The cups are usually in place for about 15 minutes and can be moved from one spot to another. Cupping is not painful but may leave some bruising like marks on the back. It is possible cupping may blister the skin if left on for too long, an attentive qualified practitioner will reduce this risk significantly.
Moxibustion (Moxa)
Moxibustion (moxa), refers to a traditional Chinese medicine technique involving the application of heat to facilitate treatment of various complaints. The heat comes from burning the herb mugwort (Artemisia argyi) in one shape or form and placing it close to the skin. We mostly use a ‘smokeless’ moxa stick. The stick looks like a cigar and emits a lovely radiant heat when lit.
The heat is applied by holding the moxa stick over specific points or areas of the body for a few minutes. This serves to remove any coldness or stagnation, promote and regulate circulation, strengthen and warm the organs, lift your energy and help restore health.
Moxa heating is usually an adjunct to acupuncture treatments and is more frequently applied during the cooler months of Autumn and Winter. It can be particularly helpful for muscular aches and cramping.
Nutrition
Good nutrition is the cornerstone of developing strong Qi and a healthy constitution. Chinese Medicine has always advocated eating a balanced meal of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. This is not something that is forced upon people but has been an integral part of Chinese culture. Usually a home cooked meal will be a mixture of vegetable dishes and various sources of proteins from meat and vegetable sources, followed by a small bowl of rice. This style of eating helps to prevent over eating and excessive carbohydrate loading.
Chinese Medicine not only takes into account the nutritional content but also the healing qualities of food. Foods are either cooling, neutral or warming, or have other qualities such as Qi strengthening or anti inflammatory properties.
As a part of a diagnosis and treatment a patients will be advised on the most appropriate foods to eat, to suit their particular body pattern.
Also read our blog on ‘Food – it’s not just about nutrition’
Looking for inspirational Recipes?
Follow the Gardenvale TCM Facebook Page
for seasonal recipes.
A little about Chinese Medicine
Chinese Medicine (CM) is an ancient health system. It views the body as a holistic system of balance. According to CM, the origin of disease is due to an imbalance or disruption of normal bodily functions. These occur in the body due to the environment, disease, life style or stress.
The origins of CM stem from the Daoist philosophy which involves the concept of Yin and Yang. Traditionally Daoism involved the theory of people interacting within their environment.
Yin and Yang
Most of us are familiar with the Yin and Yang symbol. Yin and Yang represent the concept of balance and duality. Yin is indicated by white and yang is black. You will notice the nature of Yin and Yang being where one is in abundance the other is less, each side always containing a small portion of the other. A classic example of this is day and night. As the sun rises in the morning the night slowly turns into day. As the day gathers its momentum and is at its fullest, it is always moving towards sun set where night will encroach on the day and the cycle will continue.
The balance of Yin and Yang can be related to the human body in many ways.
Yang represents qualities such as movement, heat and day time.
Yin are the opposite, cool, rest and night.
An example of Yin & Yang can apply to our health is, Yin represents qualities such as rest, passiveness or recuperation. As Yin is “cool”, our bodies cool down while we sleep and our organs rest. If the metabolism is overactive because we have consumed to much alcohol or spicy food, heat at night may occur, heat is Yang in quality which means our sleep and rest will be affected.
Qi
Qi is an important concept of CM. Qi represents systems in the body working properly and thereby supporting health. Freely flowing oxygenated blood, healthy nerve activity and functional organs all represent healthy Qi. The vitality or strength of Qi represents the constitutional health of a person. If the Qi is strong it will be able to nourish the organ system, the brain and all other structures of the body. Stress or lots or bad lifestyle choices, can weaken or block Qi. This could weaken an organ’s function or create pain and inflammation. If prolonged, Qi and blood stagnation will eventually create an imbalance in the body; according to Chinese medicine this is said to be the origin of disease or ill health.