by Andy Wong | Aug 17, 2018 | Chinese Medicine
Abdominal bloating is something that affects thousands of Australians each and every day. While most cases are mild, others can cause intense discomfort as well as a slew of other symptoms.
According to the ancient principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, bloating occurs when there is no smooth flow from the spleen and stomach, or the qi or energy becomes stuck.
Fortunately, Traditional Chinese Medicine offers a range of effective natural treatment options to reduce bloating. Here are some simple tips to have you feeling better in no time.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is one of the most effective treatment options for bloating as it can regulate the digestive system, aid metabolism and support the stomach to move the stuck energy or qi – and in some cases the effects are almost instantaneous.
Herbal medicine
Another highly effective option to help reduce bloating is Chinese herbal medicine. An experienced practitioner will be able to prescribe you with a customised concoction of concentrated herbs to regulate the stomach and spleen to move the energy downwards rather than having it remain in the abdomen.
Monitor your diet
An important component of maintaining a balanced lifestyle is to ensure that you are closely monitoring your diet. Be aware of what you are consuming and take note of any certain goods that may exacerbate your symptoms, as well as any that have a relieving effect.
Consume warm beverages
If bloating is becoming a common concern, Traditional Chinese Medicine principles advocate the consumption of warm beverages over cold ones. Warm beverages like tea or warm water are notably gentler on the stomach whereas cold drinks can worsen existing symptoms.
by Andy Wong | Jul 15, 2018 | Chinese Medicine
As we all know, acupuncture offers a vast number of benefits – but exciting new research suggests it could also help reduce the side effects of chemotherapy treatment in cancer patients.
According to Cancer Australia, it is estimated that up to 138,321 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in Australia in this year alone and many will be required to undergo chemotherapy treatment.
While symptoms vary from person to person, chemotherapy treatment is generally considered to be an unpleasant experience. Side effects can often include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, constipation, diarrhea, hair loss, muscle soreness, reduced concentration, mood changes and many more.
However, acupuncture can offer some much-needed relief and improve cancer patients overall health and wellness as they undergo their rigorous treatment.
Reduce nausea
One of the most notable changes which chemotherapy patients may experience after an acupuncture session is a reduction in nausea and improved sense of wellbeing.
Reduce muscle soreness
Another great way that acupuncture treatment can also help chemotherapy patients is by reducing muscle soreness and nerve tingling, allowing patients to continue on with their daily lives and exercise routines.
Reduce anxiety
A diagnosis of cancer can be incredibly confronting and it’s common for patients to experience feelings of anxiety. Regular acupuncture treatments can help lower patients anxiety levels and allow them to focus on their recovery.
Recent studies indicate that for the best results, a regular acupuncture plan should be followed with sessions up to twice per week.
An experienced practitioner will be able to customise an individual plan for their patient’s own specific needs to support them to get the most out of their acupuncture treatment and support them through the recovery process.
by Andy Wong | Jun 1, 2018 | Chinese Medicine
With the colder weather well and truly here, now is an important time to take some extra measures to ensure you don’t fall ill throughout the winter. Follow these top Traditional Chinese Medicine tips to keep your immune system strong and fight off the dreaded symptoms of cold and flu.
Herbal medicine
The immune-boosting benefits of Chinese herbal medicine are widely acknowledged, so much so that many Western practitioners are also advocating them to their patients too. Some of the top choices to stock up on as we head into winter are echinacea (antiviral and antibacterial herb), ginger (a powerful antihistamine and decongestant) and yin chiao (a nine-herb formula, which soothes the lungs and stomach and clears the nasal passages).
Acupuncture
We all know that our bodies can have an adverse reaction to changes in the weather, but did you know that acupuncture can help? Among its many benefits, acupuncture can help your body find balance after experiencing changes in the environment, so with every changing of the seasons, it’s a good idea to book a session with a trusted acupuncturist.
Cupping
A large part of the reason we fall ill in the first place is due to our body’s inability to fight off the germs and toxins we encounter in our external environment. Cupping therapy promotes healing and can help draw out toxins. In turn, this allows us to recover much faster and can dramatically shorten the length of time we spend feeling unwell.
by Andy Wong | May 2, 2018 | Chinese Medicine
Do you often find yourself tossing and turning, and unable to sleep at night?
Restless nights can leave us feeling drained and fatigued, and frequently feeling this way can have a harmful impact on our daily lives. However, Traditional Chinese Medicine practices can offer a number of natural remedies to help you get a good nights rest.
Herbal medicine
For those who suffer from insomnia, there is a range of different herbs can natural supplements that can encourage relaxation and help some much-need rest. Some of the most effective herbs include chamomile, valerian root, passionflower, hops, and lemon balm. The most simple way to consume these are by brewing them in tea, so consider making a nighttime cup of tea part of your regular routine.
Acupuncture
Stress is one of the most common causes of insomnia. Often, we find it difficult to switch off from the stresses of our everyday lives which in turn prevents us from relaxing into a restful sleep. While acupuncture is known to be one of the most effective ways to relieve stress and tension in our bodies, it can actually have an amazing effect on our emotional and mental stress as well.
Physical activity
A lack of physical activity throughout the day can have a harmful effect on our sleeping pattern – however this does not necessarily mean you need to exercise until the point of fatigue. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine practices, to get the best nights sleep we must ensure that we are active within moderation. Consider taking up a gentle practice such as Tai Chi or Qi Gong to cultivate good postures, strong breathing techniques and bring balance back into your life.
by Andy Wong | Apr 2, 2018 | Chinese Medicine
According to the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, digestive function is of vital importance when it comes to managing our overall health and wellbeing.
In Western society, digestive problems and deficiencies are a leading cause of poor nutrition as many people are unable to absorb the vitamins and minerals from the food they are consuming. This is due to a weakened digestive tract which is present in most individuals nowadays, generally stemming from poor eating habits and lifestyle choices. In order to restore your gut health, here are a few tips to try.
Eat at appropriate times
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, your digestive energy is at its peak between early and mid-morning, and it is at this point that you should consume breakfast. Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners recommend avoiding large meals at the common dinner time of approximately 8pm, as it is at this point that your digestive energy is believed to weaken.
Many Traditional Chinese Medicine doctors also recommend abstaining from consuming any beverages for up to 2 hours following a meal. Drinking soon after a meal is considered detrimental towards your digestive strength and is believed to be counterproductive if you are trying to heal any digestive issues.
Avoid antibiotics
Traditional Chinese Medicine states that even one small dosage of antibiotics can majorly disrupt the digestive tract and eliminate a significant amount of beneficial bacteria. As pharmaceutical antibiotics are generically designed, they will destroy all types of intestinal bacteria, booth good and bad. While antibiotics may minimise symptoms for a small period of time, digestive problems may soon arise given the opportunity for harmful pathogens to grow.
Rather than using pharmaceutical antibiotics, it is considered to be far more effective to utilise natural antibiotic medicines that destroy disease-causing bacteria, though maintain essential and positive bacteria. Traditional Chinese Medicine suggests colloidal silver and the oil of wild oregano to be the most superior alternatives.
Try acupuncture
Traditional Chinese Medicine specialists believe your digestive system is composed of the “earth elements”, otherwise known as your spleen and stomach. As the stomach begins the digestive process, the spleen will separate nutrients from waste and pass these through the body respectively. In order for the digestive system to operate at a functional level, both the stomach and spleen must be in good health.
Acupuncture has been known to address a wide variety of digestive symptoms and diseases for a number of years now. Acupuncture works by utilising a needle to stimulate the acupoints within the body to promote the circulation of “Qi” and to restore the balance of the body. The main goal of acupuncture with digestive health is to bring an individual’s “middle” back to harmony in order to optimise gastrointestinal function.
by Andy Wong | Mar 18, 2018 | Chinese Medicine
The use of Traditional Chinese Medicine to increase a woman’s chances of conceiving is on the rise as more and more couples are seeking more natural methods to assist them to start a family.
When considering the use of Traditional Chinese Medicine to support your fertility goals, we recommend three proven tips help you along the way.
Check your hormones
If your hormones are out of balance, conception often becomes a very difficult process. Stress is usually the biggest culprit towards a woman’s off-balance hormones, potentially causing them to impede their chances of naturally conceiving.
Aside from cutting down your stress and promoting relaxation and wellbeing, be sure to implement a healthy diet and exercise to boost your natural balance.
Improve your emotional wellbeing
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, emotional wellbeing is strongly linked to both physical ailment and reproductive difficulties. The organ systems most closely associated with fertility are the lungs and the liver, believed to correlate with stress and frustration.
Such negative emotions link to what is known as Liver Qi stagnation, causing organ imbalance and significant stress on body functions. Liver Qi stagnation can be overcome by implementing holistic methods such as acupuncture, yoga, meditation or natural herbs.
Optimise blood flow to your reproductive organs
Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that a demanding lifestyle will decrease your chances of conceiving naturally due to the stress placed on the body’s organs and blood flow.
Stress will cause your blood flow will lose its strength where it is needed most, your reproductive organs. In order to assist your blood flow to restructure its course and assist your fertility, try acupuncture as a method to naturally increase circulation.
Additionally, massage, yoga and meditation are fantastic ways to optimise your blood flow and minimise any added stress on your body.
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