Early Spring Complementary Medicine

Our goal is to restore the physical and emotional balance that will allow our clients freedom of choice in their personal and family planning.

For any treatment be it natural fertility, IVF, morning sickness, pre/post birth, or any of the myriad of patterns we successfully treat, the same process is followed, you come in for an initial consultation (lots of questions!), followed by the initial acupuncture treatment. Natural fertility clients are taught how to record fertility signs and all clients will be informed as to the changes they may make at home regarding diet and exercise to complement our treatment.

Early Spring Complementary Medicine is run by Mr. Justin Keane MaAppSc (Chinese Herbal Med) RMIT - a specialist in treating both men's and woman's health with acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine. Since his return from China in 2004, Justin has focused on using T.C.M to treat men's and women's health including infertility, morning sickness, sperm problems, pre and post natal care (preparation for a timely labour and assistance with quick recovery), dysmenorrhea, anemia, anxiety and insomnia patterns, menopausal symptoms and for health and outcome optimization during the different stages of the IVF procedure.

Justin's holistic attitude is reflected in his treatments. By assessing diet, exercise and other lifestyle factors (eg. work), they are applied to allow free and easy movement of Chi and Blood to achieve health, resolve pain and discomfort, and ensure their non-recurrence.

Long term/chronic conditions often respond very well to Justin's treatments. His treatments are applied with care and sensitivity and are directed according to feedback to ensure patient comfort and maximise relaxation.

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Services Provided by Early Spring

Acupuncture is based on Chinese traditional medicine. It is the strategic insertion of very fine needles into points on the body's surface for the purpose of stimulating healing. This practice is performed to promote the healthy flow of "Chi" or life force, through the body.

A typical initial consultation proceeds with the completion of the health survey form, (10 mins) provided by us, it collects information about your health that is necessary for proper treatment, for instance,

• nature, frequency and location of any pain,
• medication you may be taking and,
• what your medical history may consist of, for example, motor vehicle accidents, surgery, illness etc.

This is followed by the consultation during which we use the information collected, plus a few clarifying questions, the taking of your pulse on the wrist and a look at your tongue, to assist us in reaching the diagnoses of your ‘pattern’.
This pattern, once arrived at, is then treated with either herbs, or acupuncture, or both to address the presenting complaint. For example if we determine that internal heat is causing headaches, we give a treatment to,

• cool the heat and,
• stop pain

Natural Fertility, IVF, Acupuncture

For patients with fertility issues we employ the basic treatment principle to regulate the reproductive cycle in women and to strengthen the reproductive essence in men. We use acupuncture and/or herbal medicine according to the comfort of the patient and we do not require the removal of underwear to apply our treatments.

Typically 6-10 points are chosen based on the pattern discrimination, for women the best treatment frequency is weekly until cycles become regular, where ever possible we use test results and any tools available to us to assist in monitoring the progress of the treatment. For instance women wanting to conceive naturally may be taught how to chart (what their charts really mean, not a computer programme guess!), and what their body is telling them at the different stages of the cycle. Their partners will be sent for sperm analysis and re tested after 3 months if treatment is required.

For assistance with the IVF regime we use the acupuncture protocols that have been tested and retested around the world at transfer time (acupuncture the day before and the day of the embryo transfer) and often recommend extra sessions.

Acupuncture has been shown to be of value in regulating the reproductive cycle to assist in achieving positive outcomes, be it using natural or assisted reproductive technology.

http://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(06)00215-9/abstract
http://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(06)00212-3/abstract
http://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(01)03273-3/abstract

Some studies have also shown potential for benefit to men’s part of the deal

http://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(05)00591-1/abstract

There are many such peer reviewed studies available online, some are more positive than others but most advise that further studies are warranted.


Vacuum Cupping

Cupping is used frequently to complement acupuncture. Cups stimulate your energy and promote movement of blood, clearing toxins quickly and efficiently.

A vacuum is created inside the cup, then immediately placed on the selected area.

Cupping and Gua Sha naturally draw blood to the external capillaries of the body and as a result minor and painless welts or bruises may be left after a treatment.

Poor circulation which results from the occlusion of capillaries in the muscle tissue may cause aching pain. Cupping therapy removes local congestion and augments the circulation to those areas relieving the symptoms of numbness and aching pain. This action constitutes releasing pain from blood/chi stagnation.

Early Spring Complementary Medicine can provide Vacuum Cupping services, generally as part of a course of treatments. Should you feel that you may benefit from this type of treatment, please contact us to arrange a consultation.


Gua Sha (spooning)

Gua Sha is another method of treatment which affects us through the functions of the skin. A Chinese porcelain spoon is used to stimulate the skin and the underlying tissues, through the acupoints. Used according to TCM philosophy to release fire from the meridians. Blood is encouraged to flow more easily through the vessels, effecting a cleansing action on the body.

Where a constitutionally robust person would respond well to a short, strong treatment of cupping or spooning, a more frail individual may cope less well and require lighter treatments supplemented with herbs and/or acupuncture.

Early Spring Complementary Medicine can provide Cupping or Gua Sha services, generally as a part of a course of treatments. Should you feel that you may benefit from this type of therapy, please contact us to arrange a consultation.