Acupuncture
Acupuncture originated in China from where it has spread throughout the world. This art & science has been used for over 5000 years. Very fine pins are gently inserted into specific points on the body to adjust the body’s energy treating illness and optimising health. Acupuncture is not a painful experience, and often leads to a deeply relaxed state as the body’s energy is gently balanced. Points can also be treated by gently heating them with the herb moxa, pressing or massaging, and laser can be used instead of pins for the very young or sensitive.
Acupuncture is useful for many conditions, from musculo-skeletal to general health, insomnia, anxiety and pain. The World Health Organisation maintains a register of the conditions which acupuncture has been effective for in clinical trials. These can be found here. Acupuncture can often be integrated with other therapy where needed. Three chinese medicine practitioners practice acupuncture at the clinic.
Dry Needling
Originally the term “dry needling” was used to differentiate inserting an acupuncture needle (dry needle) from an injection of fluid (wet needle). All of the non-injection techniques we use in the clinic fit under the catagory of “dry-needling”.
In recent times “dry needling” or just “needling” have become terms used by people who wish to use acupuncture but have not completed the full course of study. These short courses may be as little as one weekend and are usually taught without the context of traditional Chinese medical theory and diagnosis. Commonly physiotherapists and massage therapists who use this technique use the term “dry needling” rather than acupuncture. These practitioners are not accredited by the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA) to practice acupuncture. AACMA accredited acupuncturists are required to complete at least a 4 year full time degree in acupuncture and health science.
If you have had “dry needling” please understand that this is not a reflection of a true acupuncture treatment.
Acupuncture Point Injection Therapy
Acupuncture point injection therapy involves the injection of small amounts of saline solution administered by qualified acupuncturists. Like acupuncture, fine needles are inserted into acupuncture points or trigger points just under the skin or into muscles. As the name suggests, this therapy evolved from acupuncture and has long been a therapy used by acupuncturists in China.
Acupuncture point injection therapy is useful for treating many conditions normally treated by conventional acupuncture. It is effective in treating acute sprains and strains but is ideal for treating chronic conditions which have failed to respond to other forms of treatment.
Most people, especially those who are apprehensive about injections are surprised how easy and quickly these injections can be given. In fact, saline injections generally should not be compared with many injections given in conventional medicine. The needles used are very fine and are more like acupuncture needles. The injections are typically painless or only mildly uncomfortable.
Chinese herbal medicine
One of the earliest continuing forms of medicine. The nature and effects of Chinese herbal medicines have been explored and documented for thousands of years. This rich body of knowledge, when combined with the Traditional Chinese Medical diagnostic process offers fresh approaches to everyday conditions. At the centre we use Chinese herbal medicine in pill, capsule or powder form for ease of taking.
Nutritional (vitamin & mineral) therapy
The science of Nutritional Medicine provides a modern understanding of why and how specific nutrients are in extra demand in various conditions, and how careful supplementation can speed up recovery, or be used to compensate for ongoing biological strain. Often the highly processed foods so common today not only are devoid of their original nutrients, but also place a strain on the body’s reserves of nutrients to deal with them.
Contaminants in food, water and air place additional demands on our adaptive mechanisms, which also increase demands for specific nutrients. These needs are difficult to achieve from diet alone.
Nutritional therapy is valuable for both acute and chronic illness, as well as for preventive care to optimise health and retard biological ageing and degenerative disease. Professional prescription ensures that supplementation is matched to your specific needs.
Dietary advice
Dietary solutions offered at the clinic focus on achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, hormonal balance and vitality and reducing the degenerative effects of ageing. Diet and exercise strategies are designed to maintain muscle mass while losing excess body fat. Evidence indicates that lean body mass is the most important marker of biological ageing. Using bioimpedance analysis we are able to monitor fat loss and muscle gain ensuring that these goals are being met.
Detox – Lose Weight & Feel Great
If you have been overindulging or just inundated with life’s stressors and feeling slugish and fatigued, a professional detoxification program is a great way to start feeling vital and energetic. It’s also a healthy strategy for shedding any extra kilos! Our program is simple, cost effective and empowers you to maintain long term results.
Why do a Detox?
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms then it is a good sign that you need to detox:
¨ Recurrent headaches or migraines
¨ Recurrent infections or colds
¨ Feeling fatigued and lethargic
¨ Mood swings and/or anxiety
¨ Sensitivity to chemicals, smells, alcohol or certain foods
¨ Poor short term memory, concentration or foggy head
¨ Sluggish bowels or digestive system such as gas, constipation and/or bloating
What is Liver Toxicity?
Normal metabolism constantly produces a range of by-products that are toxic to the body if not eliminated. Fortunately one of the many functions of the liver is to neutralize and eliminate these products from the body via the urine or bowel. Specific nutrients are essential for this system to work properly (e.g. some B vitamins and amino acids). Dietary imbalances combined with the additional metabolic load from medications, alcohol, food additives and environmental toxins overload the natural liver pathways leading to a toxic burden and impaired liver function. Chronic bowel irritation allows for the re-absorption of toxins from the bowel rather than their elimination. This is why a professional detox program focuses on bowel health at the start of a liver detox program. Toxic overload and impaired liver function ultimately leads to the symptoms listed above. Typically at this stage usual liver function blood tests are still in normal limits as cellular damage has not yet occurred, even though symptoms are present. Cleaning up the diet and providing specific nutritional and herbal support returns the bowel and liver to normal function and resolves the unwanted symptoms. A well functioning liver aids in normal hormone and blood sugar metabolism resulting in improved energy, well being and weight loss in its own right.
Where to Start?
We have designed a simple 6 week program which will get you on the way to better health. In just 1-2 weeks you should start feeling better. Why a six week program? We are not aiming for a temporary change. A six week program will lead to long term benefits. You will be shown how to maintain the changes with simple dietary principles. For most people supplements are essential to restore normal bowel and liver function, however these will vary for each person.
What Does a Professional Detox Involve?
- An Initial 1 hour Naturopathic assessment and consultation which includes designing your individualized detox program. The assessment will include a number of tests to ensure the program is exactly suitable to your needs
- 2 x follow up Naturopathic appointments to assess progress
- Tests include: Iridology, nail & tongue analysis, urine tests for pH (alkaline, acidity), heavy metals, intestinal dysbiosis, and Bio-impedance analysis (a body composition analysis assessing muscle and fat mass and biological age)
- Specific herbs and supplements will be prescribed as necessary (at an additional cost)
- A free booklet including food guidelines, detox techniques and recipes
Phone reception for further details or to make an appointment with our Naturopath-Nutritionist Ruth Sladek.
Massage Therapy
Between them our team of massage therapists are skilled in:
- Relaxation massage
- Remedial massage
- Deep tissue massage
- Bowen therapy
- Hot Stone massage
- Structural balancing
- Lymphatic drainage
- Sports massage
- Pregnancy massage
- Indian Head massage
- Stretching techniques
Even in this age of high-tech health and fitness, nothing can substitute for a pair of competent caring hands.
Massage is one of the most versatile therapies available, and is suitable for many conditions.
These are just a few:
- Stress
- Tension Headaches
- Back and Neck pain
- Shoulder and elbow problems
- Back pain in pregnancy
- Sports injuries
- Enhance sporting performance
- Aching legs and feet
- Children’s growing pains
- Postural strain
- Relaxation
- Lethargy
- Greater joint flexibility
- Whiplash
- Improves circulation
- Increases ease of movement
- Reduces muscular spasm
- Reduces muscular stiffness
Bowen Therapy
Bowen is a non-invasive, gentle yet dynamic system of muscle and connective tissue releases. It helps balance the body to allow it to repair, eliminate metabolic waste, and re-pattern energy fields. The system can be used safely on any one from children to the aged.
Bowen technique consists of a series of precise moves on specific points of the body. These moves are light and can be done through clothing.
Bowen technique is effective for such conditions as:
- Sciatica
- Ankle sprains
- Knee problems
- Frozen shoulder
- Migraine symptoms
- Stress and tension discomfort
- Neck restrictions
- Back pain
- R.S.I. (Repetitive strain injury)
However, one does not have to be unwell to benefit from a Bowen treatment. It is an ideal way to help the body function at an optimum state of health and efficiency.
Bowen can be used as an adjunct or independently of Massage Therapy.