Been sick recently?
Noticed an influx of ‘colds and flu’ or ‘upper respiratory infections’ going around?
Here is a short read on how Chinese medicine (very generally) views the oncoming of the common cold (one of the hardest conditions to treat because it changes so quickly — just like the weather!). Do you know how the pores on our skin can influence whether we contract a cold or not?

Pores are the windows of your body

During hot climate seasons like summer, the pores in our skin are wide open. They are like the ‘windows’ of our body. Our pores are wide open during summer and the warmer climate seasons, which help to release heat from our body and promote sweating.

When the weather gets colder, our body starts to close these windows entirely, so it can prevent the external wind and cold from entering. The process of these windows closing, is slow and adjusts accordingly with weather changes.

Therefore, if the temperature suddenly drops and the windows are still open, we’re easily vulnerable to a wind-cold pathogenic factor attacking us. Autumn and Winter are especially good at catching us off guard in this way!

Releasing the Exterior

Acupuncture stimulates the immune system to support it in fighting off illness, with a fast recovery in the most natural way.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) translates ‘colds and flu’ as pathogenic invasions that can easily be expelled using certain acupuncture points and herbs. This is known as “releasing the exterior”. Why do some people easily catch colds, but others not so often?

In western medicine terms, we often say that people with strong immune systems are less likely to catch cold. In traditional Chinese medicine, we say that these people have strong defensive Qi (or wei qi).

Their body is able to adjust quickly to environmental changes around them, because their wei qi is strong and they have built up resistance to pathogenic factors trying to attack them through their pores. In other words, they can close their ‘windows’ faster, allowing their body surface to be sealed so that wind-cold pathogens don’t have a chance to get in.

When a wind-cold pathogen enters our body, it causes sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose, body aches, and headaches. That’s when we say, “You have caught a cold.” In this case, a Chinese medicine practitioner would recommend taking pungent herbs to assist the body in expelling the wind-cold pathogen. For example: ginger, onion and peppermint are the most commonly used herbs in herbal teas for common cold.

Contact us to enquire about a telehealth consultation, to arrange for your personalised prescription and a liquid formula, delivered straight to your home! A completely contact-free process!

Successful In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)/ Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) demands optimal endometrial receptivity at the time of embryo implantation.

Uterine receptivity (or acceptance) is regulated by a number of factors, mainly:

• Uterine perfusion
• Uterine contractions at the time of embryo transfer

A study by Stener- Victorin et al. demonstrates that acupuncture increases uterine artery blood flow. Furthermore, Kim et al. showed that acupuncture inhibits uterus motility (contractions).

Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine plays an important role in supporting assisted reproductive technology techniques. We recommend starting treatment from 3 months prior to beginning your drug regime, to maximize the chances of a successful outcome.

Contact Kaitlin on 0425 352 080 or PM via Facebook for all appointments.

Stener-Victorin, E., Waldenstrom, U., Andersson, S.A., and Wikland, M. Reduction of blood flow impedance in the uterine arteries of infertile women with electro-acupuncture. Hum Reprod. 1996; 11: 1314–1317

Kim, J., Shin, K.H., and Na, C.S. Effect of acupuncture treatment on uterine motility and cyclooxygenase-2 expression in pregnant rats. Gynecol Obstet Invest. 2000; 50: 225–230

Australia is the only western nation to have a unified national registration of health professionals, which include Chinese Medicine Practitioners. This, along with, a strict regulation of prescription herbal medicines approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, delivers safe healthcare to Australians each year.

Well educated in current practice, Kaitlin holds a Bachelor of Applied Science: Traditional Chinese Medicine degree from the University of Western Sydney Campbelltown and has completed a Clinical Internship undertaken at Jiangsu Provincial Hospital in Nanjing, China. Kaitlin continues to ‘learn and up skill’ every year through ongoing professional development, keeping abreast of medical advances and research publications, to provide the best standard of care for her patients.

Kaitlin is an accredited member of the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association Ltd (AACMA). AACMA is the peak professional body of qualified Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine practitioners in Australia. AACMA has represented the profession since 1973, valuing high standards in ethical and professional practice. High standards of education and practice are maintained due to the professions determination to provide excellence in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine health care. All AACMA practitioner members are accredited with the Australian Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner Accreditation Board.

Check out Well Beings Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine’s Facebook ‘About’ page, for more information on Kaitlin’s areas of interest in the practice of Chinese Medicine. https://www.facebook.com/wellbeingsacupunctureandchinesemedicine/about/

CONSULTATION FEE SCHEDULE
From 1^st September, 2016

Initial consultation $90
(allow 60 mins)

Subsequent consultations $75
(allow up to 45 mins)

Assisted Reproductive Technology Support IVF, FET & ICSI
Initial consultations $90  Subsequent consultations $80  (allow up to 60mins)

Online herbal consultations $80
(allow up to 30mins)

Turning a Breech / Malpositioned Baby
2 Wk Treatment Package $220
All treatments to take place within a 2 week consecutive period.
Suitable for pregnant women between 27- 36 weeks for best results.

 Cancellations: As we set aside our time for your appointment, we have a 50% cancellation fee payable if we do not receive 24 hours notice for your cancellation and successful
rebooking of your appointment.

Health fund rebates are available
Please check with your individual provider

There are more than 450 substances commonly used in Chinese herbal medicine. The majority are of plant origin, though some mineral or animal substances may also be used. You may find some in your kitchen, such as ginger, garlic and cinnamon, while others such as chrysanthemum and peony flowers are more likely to be found in your garden. Some substances that were used traditionally, are no longer part of modern professional Chinese herbal medicine practice. For example, traditional remedies that are derived from endangered species have been replaced by other substances with similar actions.

Known as CHEN PI, it’s acrid, bitter, warm & aromatic properties enter the Lung, Spleen & Stomach channels. Commonly used for;
– Abdominal distention, fullness, bloating & belching. Chen Pi specifically promotes the movement of qi in a downward direction & is therefor very effective in treating nausea & vomiting.
– Chest congestion with coughing & copious amounts of sputum combined with loss of appetite, fatigue & loose stools.

Chen Pi is used stand alone or within a formula containing a variety of herbs tailored to an individuals condition. Kaitlin prescribes herbs for consumption in raw form, granules (mixed as a tea) or in a convenient capsule/ pill.

Contact Kaitlin for all Chinese Herbal Medicine consultation appointments on 0413 221 430.

*Photo credit: traditionalherb.org

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can help to improve the success rate of the IVF process in a number of ways:

– Manipulate and stabilise oestrogen and progesterone hormones to support the four phases of the menstrual cycle.

– Regulate the hormones to produce larger number of follicles.

– Promote ovulation and improve egg quality.

– Increase ovarian response.

– Improve ovarian and uterine blood flow.

– Improve quality and thickness of the endometrium.

– Improve sperm count, motility and morphology.

– Facilitate embryo implantation.

– Decrease chances of miscarriage.

– Decrease stress levels.

– Relieve the side effects of drugs used in IVF.

– Strengthen the immune system.

– Increase implantation rates.
Contact Kaitlin on 0413 221 430, email or message to make an appointment.

Auricular acupuncture is a treatment system based on normalizing the bodies dysfunction through stimulation of definite points on the outer ear. Known as the auricle, it is composed of cartilage, fat and connective tissue supplied by many nerves.
The technique works by using the ear as a micro system. It targets groups of pluripotent cells containing  information from the whole organism that create regional organization centers representing different parts of the body. Thus, stimulation of a reflex point in the ear can relieve symptoms of distant pathologies.

As an alternative to auricular acupuncture, acupressure can be utilized by securing small black seeds from the Vaccaria plant or tiny silver pellets to the ear with clear tape over specific acupuncture points. They act directly on the acupoint when pressed are also used as time-release treatments.