by Andy Wong | Mar 15, 2019 | Health
Money? Sex? Fame? Sleep? Food? All of those things are important, and one or two are probably particularly important for you, but what is most important?
Recovering from a major stroke gives you a lot of options to choose from to answer that question. Let’s see.., my scalp acupuncture sessions, those are pretty important. Ok, uhh, my Chinese medicine herbalist, I have to include her, she prescribed me two kinds Aconite. Wait a minute, what about Flint Rehab, I’m learning so much from them right now.., I don’t know, which one is it?
Typing up this article on my iPhone with my right hand (that was affected by the stroke) is one of the most difficult things I’ve ever had to do, but if I want to recover full function, I don’t have a choice. Each tap with my finger sends a signal to my brain that helps initiate neurogenesis (growth of new neurons in the brain), and it’s not just a few taps that I’m talking about, it’s probably something on the order of hundreds of thousands, even millions of taps over the next few years that will lead to restoring my finger’s full function (more specifically my brains full function). Tapping away with my right finger is something I’ve been putting off for the last two years. Granted, first I had to lift my hand to my face (that took about 6 months). Then, I had to have my finger steady enough to tap each key on the iPhone (another 6 months, and another year, well, for good luck). At that point it was just a matter of trying, having a mind that is willing to try a million times or more; a “try mind” as my teacher used to say.
My finger’s not that steady, believe me, spastic is a better word to describe it, but I figured at some point I’ve just got to jump in. Tapping each key on the phone is more of an understatement, really it’s more a matter of tapping a hundred times to select fifty of the right keys; thank God for auto-correct. It also helps to tap slowly, allowing my mind to concentrate on what I’m actually trying to say.
My friend Amanda is a great source of inspiration for me, she has encouraged my recovery since day one. Even with us not talking and being out of sorts lately, it has forced me to begin writing letters to her by hand, my right hand. That was two weeks ago and look at me tapping away now!
A good friend and partner is perhaps the next most important thing you can have. If that person is helping you to connect with your own heart through loving them, they are bringing you closer to God and feeling love in your heart sure helps with all this damn tapping! So, if you asked me what is the most important thing, I wanted to say a try mind at first, but I’m leaning towards a mind (mind and heart are the same character in Chinese — 心) that’s full of love — which is really the source of a try mind when you think about it.
Post with permission by Morgan James
by Andy Wong | Mar 8, 2019 | Acupuncture
From depression to anxiety and general bouts of stress, mental health issues are increasingly becoming more common. In fact, one in five Australians aged between 16-85 will experience a mental illness in any given year.
Unlike a physical injury, many people tend to let their mental health go without help. However, it’s important to recognise that improving our mental health involves a little TLC and assistance, and acupuncture can be a great way to help activate the body’s natural healing process and improve your overall sense of health and wellbeing.
Here are some of the ways in which acupuncture can help us improve our mental health.
1.Balance nervous system
Put simply, acupuncture can help put your nervous system back in balance. Not sure what the nervous system is? It’s a system in your body that controls everything from the way you move, to how you think and feel. By tapping into the nervous system with acupuncture, it can help the system adapt to stress and re-educate itself to operate in a more optimal way.
2. Relieve symptoms
Mental health issues can often manifest themselves as physical symptoms in addition to emotional ones. As the acupuncture needles can tap into the nervous system, your practitioner can signal the brain to direct blood flow to the affected area of your body, relieving common symptoms such as tension headaches, and the inability to maintain a healthy weight.
3. Improve general wellbeing
Acupuncture can also improve your general wellbeing in ways such as increasing your quality of sleep, and balancing out your mood. But how does it do all of this? In technical terms it can stimulate the production of neurotransmitters as well as develop the production of dopamine, serotonin and so much more.
To find out more about how acupuncture can improve your mental health or to make an appointment, please contact us today.
by Andy Wong | Feb 23, 2019 | Chinese Medicine
Chinese herbal medicine can provide many invigorating effects, utilising powerful herbal formulas that have been used successfully for centuries… But did you know that Chinese herbal medicine can even help to balance out your hormones?
Hormone imbalances can occur for a variety of reasons, but typically occur due to lifestyle habits such as too much stress, a poor diet, ill health, excessive exercise, prescription medicines and a toxic overload that end up throwing us ‘out of whack’.
So, let’s delve a little deeper into why herbal medicine could be beneficial if you are experiencing the symptoms of hormonal imbalances.
Safe and gentle
Herbal medicine is safe and gentle, using all-natural ingredients which are effective and promote a healthy equilibrium. There is no need to worry about the potentially harmful side effects of prescription medication, and our experienced practitioners will take into account any existing injury, ailments and prescribed medications to ensure maximum efficiency and the best results for you.
Continual monitoring and adjustment
Rather than a one-size fits all approach to medicine, Chinese Herbal Medicine is tailored specifically to you, and the symptoms that you are experiencing. You will be given a formula and the effects of it will be closely monitored by your practitioner on a continual basis. If the formula isn’t working for you, it will likely be reviewed and adjusted at your next appointment – keeping your best interests in mind.
For even better results, try herbal medicine in conjunction with acupuncture. Acupuncture is a regulator for the body, and herbs are hormonal balancing – both playing a vital role in regulating, balancing and healthy organ function. Luciferous Traditional Medicine Acupuncture Clinic in Ormond, Greater Melbourne can help you on this issue. |
by Andy Wong | Feb 7, 2019 | Chinese Medicine
Athletes training regimes are renowned for being strenuous on the body, with little time for recovery between sessions more often than not leading to injury and mental stress.
While many athletes utilise western remedies like physiotherapy, some have begun to turn to Traditional Chinese Medicine for a different answer. Why? From cupping to acupuncture and Gua Sha, Traditional Chinese Medicine can help benefit athletes of all levels to maintain a healthier, more balanced lifestyle, ease pain and so much more.
We go into more detail below.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient practice which is used to promote recovery, relieve pain and activate the body’s natural healing process. Involving the insertion of needles into specific muscles and joints – your practitioner can help pinpoint your pain and release it. On top of relieving pain, acupuncture can also provide relief for many other conditions such as digestive, musculoskeletal, psychological disorders and more… Perfect for the athlete in need of a little help!
Cupping
Cupping is ideal for athletes who are looking to soften painful, tense muscle tissue and reduce their recovery time. The process involves creating a vacuum-like suction through placing a cup on the body – gently withdrawing inflammation and toxins out from the specified area while also increasing the blood supply needed in stagnant areas to nourish and promote recovery. This means that athletes can be back on their A-game much faster than expected.
Gua Sha
With pain being a major issue that athletes experience, Gua Sha is a natural, immediate and drug-free pain reliever which focuses on correcting soft tissue injuries and other medical ailments. Another plus? Gua Sha can also boost immunity and help prevent common illnesses, helping athletes stay in tip top shape for longer.
Are you an athlete who’s incorporated Traditional Chinese Medicine into your lifestyle? Let us know your experiences in the comments!
by Andy Wong | Jan 25, 2019 | Health
As we enter into the heart of summer, finding time to keep fit can be a real challenge, but it’s important to remain consistent if we want to maintain our best possible health into the New Year. Read on for our best tips on how to stay active and beat the summer heat!
Time it right
When it comes to working out in warm weather, timing really is everything. Ideally, you want to avoid exercising in peak temperatures which generally tends to be around midday to early afternoon, and instead get your workout in first thing in the morning before the sun has had time to heat up.
Stay hydrated
While you should be making an effort to stay hydrated when working out all year round, this step is especially important when you are exercising in high heat. Keep a cool bottle of water handy and try to sip before, during and after your work out, even if you don’t feel like it.
Listen to your body
Most importantly, be sure to always listen to your body and don’t push yourself further than you feel comfortable with. While you may be striving to reach a certain target or set a new personal best, doing so on a hot summers day may not be the best idea. Heat stroke and heat exhausting can have some very real consequences, and as well as making you unwell, any recovery time could even set your training back even further.
For more advice on how to stay in shape all year round, book an appointment at Luciferous Traditional Chinese Medicine today.
by Andy Wong | Jan 14, 2019 | Health
For many of us, it seems our lives are becoming busier and busier – so much so that it can often be difficult to find time to take a break and switch off from the world. However, insufficient rest can lead to increased stress levels as well as a whole host of other ailments.
Thankfully, mindfulness can help. Defined as a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, mindfulness is a highly effective therapeutic technique used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Want to try it for yourself? Follow our three easy ways to incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine and start experiencing the magic of mindfulness today.
Spend time with your thoughts
Start by setting a few minutes aside each day in which to simply sit with your thoughts, and focus your awareness on the emotions that follow. While it may seem simple, many first-timers are likely to be surprised at how challenging it can be to avoid distraction!
Switch off your autopilot
Do you ever feel like you’re just going through the motions? An important part of mindfulness is learning how to switch off your autopilot and making a conscious effort to bring your awareness back to the task at hand.
Engage your senses
One of the key elements of mindfulness is to stay in the present moment. Rather than allowing your mind to wander, try to think about your surroundings. Brining your awareness to things like the sun on your face or the scent in the air is a great way to train yourself to do this is by engaging your senses.
Do you practice mindfulness as part of your regular routine? Let us know what works for you in the comments below.
by Andy Wong | Dec 22, 2018 | Health
With the holiday season fast approaching, it can be difficult to stay on track with your regular health and wellness routine. From Christmas parties to family gatherings and end of year celebrations, we can often find ourselves eating and drinking far more than we usually would, and losing track of our regular fitness regime.
While we all deserve to treat ourselves from time to time, it’s important to be aware of our excess consumption and make a conscious effort to move our bodies a little more and do our best to stick to a good routine throughout the holiday period. Here are our top tips to help you enjoy the holidays without compromising your health!
Plan ahead
One of the best ways to ensure you stay on top of your health regime is to be aware of all of your upcoming events and plan ahead. If you have a get together where you expect there might be a lot of tasty treats on offer, try to fit in an extra workout earlier on in the week. If you’re likely to be eating a large meal for dinner, enjoy a lighter meal for lunch and ensure you stay well hydrated.
Stay accountable
December can be one of the most chaotic times of the year, and with so much else on our minds it’s all too easy to skip a few workouts here and indulge in a few treats there – but in time, these things can really add up without us even realising! Try to stay accountable by recording your workouts in a schedule, or you may even want to recruit a friend to workout with. If you’re having trouble with all the extra treats, you might even consider tracking your food intake in a diary. For some, seeing it all in black and white can really help put things into perspective and give you the willpower to say no!
Don’t overdo it
At the end of the day, the holidays are here to be enjoyed – and it’s important to remember that you don’t need to deprive yourself, as long as you don’t overdo it! Like most things in life, the key is to find a happy balance between enjoying yourself and not undoing your hard work from throughout the year.
For further support on staying healthy throughout the holiday period and bringing balance back into your life, contact Luciferous Traditional Chinese Medicine today. What helps you stick to your routine throughout the holidays? What would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments!
by Andy Wong | Dec 10, 2018 | Health
Bell’s Palsy is a serious condition in which patients experience a sudden onset weakness or paralysis in one side of the face. While the condition is in most cases only temporary, the effects can be highly distressing as it can often result in a ‘droopy’ or ‘lopsided’ appearance and even lead to difficulty in eating, drinking and blinking. Thankfully, Traditional Chinese Medicine can help.
According to the Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, Bells Palsy is the result of a deficiency within a person’s underlying qi, in which external wind and cold are attacking the channels of the face. As such, Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment for Bell’s Palsy involves expelling the wind and removing dampness while stimulating blood circulation in order to restore balance within the face.
To achieve this, your Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner may prescribe a number of different methods to help you overcome Bell’s Palsy and regain control of your facial nerves.
Acupuncture
In most cases, acupuncture is likely to be the first step in your Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment plan. To reap to full rewards that acupuncture can offer, you will most likely be required to attend a minimum of one to two sessions per week to enhance your facial mobility and overcome Bell’s Palsy.
Herbal Medicine
For a truly holistic approach, patients may wish to add herbal medicine options to their treatment regime. A customised prescription of herbal medicine may help to target underlying symptoms and restore a greater sense of overall balance within the body, which can really help speed up the Bell’s Palsy recovery period.
Relaxation
Often, Bell’s Palsy can lead cause patients to experience a great deal of stress – which is actually counterintuitive to your recovery. Higher stress levels make it more difficult to overcome the condition, and can even extend your recovery period. Your practitioner will likely recommend you try to find a way to relax, whether it be by meditation, regular massages or taking some time away from your normal responsibilities, finding a way to relax is highly important.
Here at Luciferous Traditional Chinese Medicine, we’ve had great success in helping patients overcome Bell’s Palsy. For more information on how we can help you, please get in touch with us today via the contact page.
Have you or one of your loved ones experienced Bell’s Palsy before? What has worked for you? Let us know in the comments section below!
by Andy Wong | Nov 27, 2018 | Chinese Medicine
Here at Luciferous Traditional Chinese Medicine, we believe that your treatment shouldn’t stop when you leave the clinic. For many of our patients, their overall goal is to achieve balance in their life, and given that our homes are the place where we spend most of our spare time, it’s important that our residences reflect these intentions.
To help you create a space that will support your journey towards a more balanced lifestyle, we’ve put together a list of simple Traditional Chinese Medicine tips to help you achieve balance in your home.
Remove unnecessary clutter
The first step is to do a total sweep of your home and remove all unnecessary clutter from your living spaces to create a calm and peaceful environment. Too much clutter can cloud your mental state, and some people even report that it can make it difficult to focus on certain tasks.
Embrace fresh air
Next, open your windows wide and embrace the fresh air. The air we breathe can have a notable effect on our overall health and wellbeing, so it’s important to ensure that your air is clean and has as few pollutants as possible. If the air from outside is not ideal, you may want to consider investing in an air purifying device, or even purchasing some house plants known for their air purifying properties.
Use natural light
Finally, try to utilise as much natural light as possible. Make sure your curtains or blinds allow plenty of natural light, and minimise your use of artificial lighting. Not only will it lower your electricity bill, but it will also ensure your circadian rhythm remains stable and significantly improve your overall wellbeing.
Have you implemented any of these strategies into your home? We’d love to hear from you, let us know in the comments what has worked for you! For further advice, visit the online booking portal to schedule an appointment at Luciferous Traditional Chinese Medicine.
by | Nov 8, 2018 | Chinese Medicine
Each year, acupuncture attracts thousands of new patients seeking treatment for a diverse range of injuries and ailments. From young children through to elderly adults, acupuncture is popular with patients of all ages, and the benefits of this ancient Chinese treatment method are highly regarded by health professionals all over the world.
Here are some of the reasons why acupuncture can benefit people of all ages and why it remains a preferred treatment option after more than 2000 years.
Provides effective relief from pain
One of the most common reasons why people turn to acupuncture is to seek relief from acute or chronic pain. For many people, acupuncture provides far more effective relief from pain, and in some patients even report that it is the only treatment that allows them to live comfortably.
Treats a wide range of symptoms
As well as pain relief, acupuncture can also be highly effective in treating an extensive list of physical, emotional and mental conditions that can affect adults and children. Respectively, these conditions can allergies, infertility, arthritis, migraines, insomnia, stress, anxiety and many more.
No harmful side effects
In most instances, patients turn to acupuncture over western medicine treatments in favour of a more natural approach. One of the most highly praised traits of acupuncture is the fact that treatment causes no harmful side effects and in many cases can limit the need for further medication.
To find out more about whether acupuncture is the right treatment option for you or your loved one, contact Luciferous Traditional Chinese Medicine today.
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