Britt-Amber Robertson undertook a double degree in Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine at Victoria University in 2005. She completed her Bachelor of Chinese Medicine degree in 2008, and is a registered member of AACMA (Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association) and CMRB (Chinese Medicine Registration Board of Victoria). Britt believes in a holistic approach when dealing with disharmonies of the body, mind and spirit. In her clinical experiences, she has come across a wide variety of ailments ranging from muscular skeletal disorders to more internal disorders such as those of the digestive system. Britt is also greatly interested in reproductive health, paediatrics, gynecology and obstetrics. Britt uses E-FONG brand of herbs and has over 170 different herbs at her disposal. The herbal formula's prescribed are individually designed based on individual needs. Preparations are in granular form and may contain up to 13 different herbs, each having its own complimentary function. Chinese herbal medicine is a very important adjuvant to acupuncture and moxibustion. Sometimes acupuncture alone may not be able to tackle a certain condition, this is when herbal medicine is often implimented. Her main goal is to educate people on the benifits of adopting a Chinese medicine based approach to life, diet and health.
BRITT WILL BE ALSO OPERATING FROM ROSEBUD PHYSIOTHERAPY LOCATED AT 42-44 BONEO RD, ROSEBUD ON TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS 8.30AM-5.00PM PLEASE PHONE 03 5986 3655 THANKS FOR VISITING.
SERVICES
Britt-Amber's service's include: Acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion, dermal hammer, Chinese dietary therapy, Chinese herbal medicine (Granular form: individually based and prepared).
Health Issues I Can Assist with:
- Gynaecological Concerns: PMS, Dysmenorrhea, irregular cycling (too early/too late), amenorrhea, periods that are too heavy, prolapses, PCOS, endometriosis, fibroids, menopause and unexplained infertility.
- Musculoskeletal Issues: Frozen shoulder, lumber, thoracic and cervical pain, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, ankle and knee weakness and associated muscle strains and pain.
- Digestive Health: IBS, pain and bloating, constipation or diarrhoea, weight gain or weight loss, rectal prolapses and haemorrhoids .
- Bladder Issues: Nocturia, excessive urination or weak bladder, uterine or bladder prolapses, reoccuring UTI's, genital itch or rash associated with thrush or herpes virus.
- Issues of the immune system: Reoccurring coughs, colds and flu’s, fatigue, muscle heaviness, food intolerances, hayfever, headedness, sinusitis, nasal congestion and a propensity to bronchitis and asthma.
- Male reproductive health: Reduced fertility, excessively high or low libido, impotence,prostatic problems, excessive urination and urinary trickling or discomfort.
- Emotional Wellbeing: Depression, anxiety, insomnia, restless sleep, emotional outbursts, excessive dreaming, sadness, helplessness, cloudy feeling in head, excessive crying and feeling out of control.
- Feminine Health: Chronic thrush, Menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, irritability or anxiety, restlessness, insomnia and vaginal dryness. Breast tenderness or swelling and itchy or painful nipples
- Pregnancy and Postpartum: Habitual miscarriage, IVF support, breech presentation, labour inductions, postnatal hair loss and fatigue, insufficient breast milk, postnatal depression and back pain.
- Paediatric care including acupuncture, Chinese dietary therapy, herbal preparations and baby massage: Urticaria, impetigo, asthma, eczema, digestive disorders, bed wetting, nightmares, nose bleeds, poor concentration, cough, colds, glue ear and phlegm.
INTRODUCTION TO CHINESE MEDICINE THEORY:
The Chinese medical belief system was created over two thousand years ago; long before Western medicine could describe the pathology or physiology of the human body. Even with modern day medical advancement, the Chinese methods of detecting and treating disharmony are still as relevant today as they were centuries ago. Many terms used here may sound quite unusual and foreign and indeed they are. That is one of the joys of Chinese medicine, it offers the most beautiful way of describing disharmony and offers gentle ways of treating it.
One way of describing the term holistic, could include “the complete picture”. We are indeed a part of the big picture. Atoms contained within our bodies have been around since the dawn of time. Matter is neither created nor destroyed, it merely changes form. This is the first law of thermodynamics. We are as much a part of our universe as our universe is a part of us. So it makes sense that things that occur in our macro-cosom (the world around us), can too occur within the micro-cosom (the world within us).
The Chinese made observations regarding the external world and then applied the same phenomena within the human body. It was logical to see that dry ground needed water, that a damp house needed drying, that a warm fire dispelled cold, that together fire and water created steam and that wind rushing through a house could be stopped by shutting a door. They then in turn took natural occurring products from our planet and used these products to treat dampness, heat, cold, wind, dryness etc within the body. They also understood that the body contained blood, bodily fluids, bones, sinews and organs, and over centuries discovered natural products to treat disharmonies related to the organs and substances. It is quite a logical way of treating disharmonies within the body, once you get your head around it.
Infertility a Chinese Medicine Perspective:
INFERTILITY FROM A CHINESE MEDICINE PERSPECTIVE
Infertility is a growing concern for many couples especially in Western societies. We live in a very fast paced world these days, with many couples delaying pregnancy and child rearing until their mid to late 30's. Often when couples feel that emotionally and financially the time is right to conceive, their bodies have different plans. Pregnancy is such an amazing and delicate phenomena, that even slight imbalance in the body can lead to an inability to conceive.
From a Chinese Medical perspective, there are many different pathological conditions that can lead to infertility or issues relating to the inability to "hold" a pregnancy. An individual’s signs and symptoms’, along with pulse and tongue diagnosis can lead to an accurate depiction of why an embryo is unable to imbed in the womb, remain in the womb or even lead to an indication of why ovulation fails to occur at all. Based on the underlying "root' causes of the condition, a herbal and acupuncture formula can be implemented to treat all of these issues.
CHINESE MEDICINE AND THE BASIL BODY TEMPERATURE CHART
Apart from tongue, pulse diagnosis and the study of signs and symptoms; the humble Basil Body Temperature (BBT) chart can provide a wealth of Knowledge to the Chinese Medicine practitioner. The women’s cycle can be accurately mapped via the use of the BBT, with different herbal and acupuncture formulas being used for different stages of the cycle. A thorough understanding of the cycle including: hormones that are active during different phases, appropriate temperatures for different phases of the cycle and fertile mucous detection can greatly enhance a woman’s chance of becoming pregnant.
A good example of a BBT chart can be found at:
http://www.babyhopes.com/articles/bbt-chart.html
UNDERSTANDING THE REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE FROM A CHINESE MEDICAL PERSPECTIVE
The Follicular phase (Yin Part of the Cycle)
The follicular phase or proliferative phase commences on the first day of the menstrual cycle and is highly under the influence of estrogen. The onset of bleeding is where yang is said to dynamically convert into yin. The woman’s endometrial lining begins to slough away to make way for a fresh new thick and luscious bedding, in which a prospective fertilised egg may take up residence. The Chinese describe this process as the empting of the chong mai (Sea of blood), it is over the next 2-3 days of the cycle that the chong mai must completely empty so it is able to again refill with fresh blood. Therefore during this phase, treatment mainly concerns the activation of chong mai through acupuncture and herbal formulae that assist in the complete discharge of the old lining to make way for the new.
After the lining has been adequately discharged on about day 3-4 of the cycle, the building and nourishing of the new endometrial lining is promoted via the use of kidney yin tonics, blood tonics and Chinese dietary therapy. Even if not looking to conceive, it is important that women build up the blood that was lost with the period to maintain optimal health and well being.
During this follicular phase, the ovaries are also extremely active and are under the influence of estrogen and follicular stimulating hormone (FSH). A few follicles are recruited and undergo the process of becoming matured and nourished. Ultimately one or even two (in the case of fraternal twinning) reach ultimate maturity and are subsequently ovulated on or around day 14 of the cycle. The formula that relates to the building of the lush uterine lining is also implemented to ripen and mature the follicles. Disharmonies in ovulation can be related to the late or early releasing of the egg or failure of the ovum to ovulate at all.
Disharmonies of the Follicular Phase:
A LONG FOLLICULAR PHASE indicates that the ovum (egg) is being released too late (after day 14) and often occurs in women who present to the clinic with yin or blood deficiency. A woman in this case may find that she has long cycles i.e. 32 day cycles or longer. In Western medicine this can be translated as low estrogen or reduced sensitivity of FSH or pituitary dysfunction. In these cases the egg may become "over ripened" and is therefore unable to become fertilised by the partners sperm, or if fertilised may lead to miscarriage or chromosomal disorders of the foetus.
A SHORT FOLLICULAR PHASE indicates that the ovum is being released before it is able to ripen and mature. This can often occur in older women who are reaching menopause as the heat produced by underlying yin deficiency can force an early release of the egg. Hormonal imbalances can also lead to this condition, especially those associated with FSH and the pituitary gland. Women with this type of condition often have short menstrual cycles often between 21-26 day cycles.
Midcycle / Ovulation (Yin Peaks)
It is at this time that the chong mai should be full again and the endometrium should be lush and thick. Here the yin is said to grow and grow as too does the levels of estrogen until the follicle is ripe and ready to release the egg from the ovary. In the 36 hours prior to and leading up to ovulation, luteinising hormone levels begin to rise leading to increased progesterone levels.
Progesterone surges ultimately leads to an eruption of the egg from its follicle and out of the ovary. It is here that the yin is said to transform into yang. Yang tonifying herbs are now introduced into the formula to strengthen this effect, blood regulating herbs may also be implemented to reduce stagnation in the corpus haemorrhagium (blood body) before it transforms in to the corpus luteum (yellow body) which has a very important role in pregnancy recognition by the mother and subsequent maintenance of the pregnancy.
The cervix undergoes changes leading up to and at ovulation also. Increased estrogen levels lead to a ripening and opening of the cervix to allow passage for prospective sperm to effectively reach the woman’s reproductive tract. The glands of the cervix produce mucous which enhance the sperms ability to survive this journey, creating privileged pathways in which they can travel. Plentiful, good quality mucous can increase the chances of conception greatly. The blood and yin nourishing formulas taken prior to ovulation ensure good quality mucous during this time.
The cervix is not the only mucous producing part of the reproductive tract; the fallopian tubes are also lubricated to ensure safe and smooth passage of the egg down the tubule to meet with the sperm. After fertilisation, the newly formed zygote (fertilised egg) must be gently transported further along the fallopian tube, down to the uterus for implantation. The importance of building yin before ovulation is therefore a very important process that should be undertaken in order to increase the chance of conception taking place.
The Luteal Phase (Yang Part of the Cycle)
The luteal phase occurs after ovulation and lasts up until the commencement of the subsequent menstrual period (day 1 of the new cycle). The luteal phase is highly under the influence of progesterone. Luteinising hormone (LH) as the name suggests strongly influences the corpus luteum to produce more progesterone. The corpus luteum is essentially the follicular cavity that once held the ovulated egg. It collapses in on itself and then becomes a gland which is able to secrete progesterone under the influence of LH.
Progesterone is a very important hormone as it maintains the endometrium and prevents other follicles becoming ripened. It is the hormone of pregnancy. In Chinese medicine it is considered yang in nature and keeps the womb warm so to speak which encourages implantation and successful maintenance of pregnancy.
Disharmonies of the Luteal Phase:
A SHORT LUTEAL PHASE can result from lower levels of LH or inadequate progesterone production. In these cases, the embryo simply does not have enough time to imbed itself within the womb.
A LOW LUTEAL PHASE can be indicated by a drop in temperate soon after ovulation when temperature should remain elevated. Chinese Medicine bases this on kidney yang deficiency which can translate to a "cold womb". Yang type warming herbs should be implemented here to boost up the warming energy of the body.
CHINESE MEDICAL PATHOLOGIES LEADING TO INFERTILITY:
KIDNEY YIN DEFICIENCY: This condition has a major affect on the follicular phase of a woman’s cycle (the yin phase).
Signs and symptoms may include: Hot flushes, night sweats, thirst, dry mucous membranes, scanty periods, dry skin, hair and nails and irritability.
KIDNEY YANG DEFICINCY: This condition mainly affects the luteal phase of the cycle.
Signs and symptoms include: Frequent urination, edema, lethargy, weight issues, feeling the cold and desire for warms food and drinks.
HEART & LIVER QI STAGNATION: Conception and maintenance of pregnancy requires that the mind and spirit be calm and free from stress.
Signs and symptoms: Anxiety, fear, depression, sadness, tender breasts around period time and period pain.
BLOOD STAGNATION: It’s important that blood and qi be able to flow freely throughout the body without becoming impeded.
Signs and symptoms: Sharp stabbing period pain, endometriosis & clotted menstrual flow.
DAMP PHELGM ACCUMULATION: Can lead to blockages in the body, i.e. blocked fallopian tubes or a womb that is too slick and therefore does not encourage embryo implantation. Fertile mucous may also be absent with the presence of copious damp type mucous which can actually impede sperm travel towards the reproductive tract.
Signs and symptoms: Weight issues, excessive vaginal discharge, edema, digestive disorders, PCOs (can occur in yin deficient types also), chronic phlegm disorders such as nasal congestion, sinusitis etc.
SPLEEN QI OR BLOOD DEFICIENCY: The spleen in Chinese medicine is responsible for holding the blood and organs in their place, and has a fundamental role in blood production.
Signs and symptoms: Heavy periods, prolapses, weak digestion, diarrhoea or constipation, lethargy, dizziness, miscarriage or anaemia.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS ARE GUIDES ONLY AS USUALLY A CLIENT WILL PRESENT WITH MORE THAN ONE DISHARMONY AT A TIME. SO SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS CAN BE MIXED AND VARIED, AND EVEN HIDE ONE AN OTHER.
Things to Look Out for in Your Cycle
Any problems with the menstrual cycle can indicate issues relating to blood and qi movement. Obstructions to either of these mechanisms can have implications for fertility. Pain during the menstrual periods, passing of clots, breast distension or pain, scanty or heavy flow, excessively long or short periods, break through bleeding, periods that stop and start. All these factors can indicate a dysfunction of the movement of qi and blood.
Musculoskeletal disorders
WHAT ARE MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS?
Musculoskeletal disorders can be described as dysfunction of either the musculature of the body or the bones themselves. Usually there is an obvious cause of the swelling and pain associated with these disorders such as a break, fracture, tear, strain or sprain to the local area. At other times a cause may be hard to determine. The client may simply wake up one day with a pain or ache and have no idea where it sprang from.
Disorders in which obvious trauma has been inflicted can be treated inconjunction with Western medicine to help mend and repair bones, reduce swelling, resolve blood and qi stagnation and to ease pain.
The Chinese also look at the internal causes of such dysfunction, those that are not caused by any obvious aetiology. Such as unexplained lower back pain, stiffness in the shoulders and neck, arthritis, painful, swollen or weak knees or muscle fatigue to name a few. All of these conditions can have differing Chinese medical "causes" and therefore differing treatment principles. Often an injury or accident from many years in the past can crop up and cause problems years later when the client has pretty much forgot the original trauma. Many clients also end up with referred pain, in which one area may compensate for another, increasing its load and hence causing dysfunction.
PATHOLOGY LEADING TO MUSCULOSKELETAL DISHARMONIES OR AS A RESULT OF TRAUMA
WIND: Is light and usually floats to the upper part of the body leading to pain in the joints that moves and often comes and goes.
COLD: Pain in the joints that usually feels better with the application of heat and becomes worse with cold weather.
DAMP: Pain in the joints that is usually associated with swelling and may involve a heavy sensation in the surrounding muscle tissue.
DAMP HEAT: Here the joints are painful, swollen and hot to the touch or feel hot. The surrounding muscles may also feel heavy or numb.
QI & BLOOD DEFICIENCY: The pain is chronic and dull in nature and is worse when tired or after activity.
QI & BLOOD STAGNATION: Usually occurs as a result of trauma to bone, muscle or the channel itself.
LIVER & KIDNEY YIN DEFICIENCY: Dull ache especially in the lower parts of the body, such as the knee and lower back.
SPLEEN QI DEFICIENCY: Mainly affect the muscles leading to weakness and heaviness if mixed with dampness.
OFTEN ONE OR MORE OF THESE DISHARMONIES WILL BE PRESENT AT ANY ONE TIME. AS ALL OF THE ORGANS ARE INTERELATED A DISHARMONY IN ONE ARE CAN LEAD TO SUBSEQUENT DISHARMONIES IN OTHERS
Digestive Disorders
The digestive system in Chinese Medicine can be described as being strongly related to the earth element which involves the stomach and spleen organs. Together the paired organs make up what is known to the Chinese as the Middle Jiao.
The stomach receives food and drink from the external environment, its energy draws down, therefore ingested food should be kept down. It is the main site where the food is ripened, fermented and broken down in order to be further absorbed by the body. It should keep moving the waste component down towards the small intestine and ultimately to the site of elimination. As the waste moves down, the useful part is passed on to the spleen for further separation.
If the stomach qi is rebellious and moves its energy upwards instead of down, this is when acid reflux, vomiting and heart burn can occur. If the stomach becomes too hot and dry, hard constipation can form.
The spleen transforms and transports the food and fluids received from the stomach. The pure essence is sent up to the lungs and heart, whilst the impure part is sent downward to be expelled as waste. It is said that the pure part sent to the lungs is transformed into qi, whilst that which is sent to the heart is transformed into blood.
If the spleen qi becomes deficient it can lead to diarrhoea, prolapses and excessive bleeding as the spleen loses its ability to raise and hold blood and organs within their place. Because it is unable to send essence to the lung to form qi and to the heart to make blood, the person can easily become deficient in both these substances as well.
Constipation can also result from deficiency. The peristaltic contractions can become so weak that stool cannot be moved through the bowels. In these cases, adding extra bulk to an already stressed out system by the way of increased fibre and water may complicate the problem. The Middle Jiao is therefore one of the most important systems to correct before any other work is done.
Uro-Genital Disorders
The Chinese describe disorders pertaining to the uro-genital tract as being those involving the lower Jiao (Lower burner). As stated previously the Middle Jiao holds the stomach and spleen, whilst this lower Jiao holds the liver, kidney, Small Intestine, Liver and Bladder. It is basically the place where much of the filtering and excretion of the bodily wastes takes place. As a result, blockage and weakness in this area can lead to various patterns of dysfunction.
SOME COMMON KIDNEY DISORDERS:
KIDNEY YIN DEFICIECNY: Kidney deficiency essentially indicates that the yin fluids are drying up and what is created is a deficiency type heat. This heat can force the blood out of its vessels leading to blood in the urine.
S&S: Mild urinary pain and bleeding, cloudy, scanty urinary dribbling, weak and sore lower back and knees, insomnia, face flushing, night sweats, dry mouth and throat, genital dryness.
KIDNEY QI DEFICIENCY: Kidney qi is said to decline with age, however certain practices can be said to deplete the kidney’s essence, such as: excessive alcohol intake, drug taking, inappropriate or poor diet, worry, stress, over worked, not enough play or generally burning the candle at both ends. Women may lose more qi due to prolonged or heavy periods, many children born within a short amount of time from each other.
S&S: Incontinence, frequent urination, pain after voiding bladder, weak stream, lower back pain and sore weak knees.
KIDNEY YANG DEFICIENCY: Frequent, copious and cloudy urination, dark circles under the eyes, lethargy, edema, nocturia, achy and cold lower back & knees.
S&S: Low libido, impotence, incontinence, nocturia, fatigue, listlessness, cold extremities, prolapse of the bladder, edema, sore lower back and knees.
SOME COMMON BLADDER DISORDERS:
DAMP HEAT: Usually due to the invasion of an external pathogen into the bladder usually in those with a pre-existing deficiency in the kidneys.
S&S: Painful and frequent urination (Like passing glass), urinary dribbling, incontinence, cloudy urination, lower back pain and irritability, kidney stones and bloody urination.
LIVER OR HEART FIRE: The liver passes through the lower Jiao so liver qi stagnation can attack the bladder organ or the external and internal pathways which run though the genitals. Damp and heat in the liver channel can be related to the herpes virus, impotence, genital swelling or pain. Liver wind is more related to genital itch.
S&S: Burning, painful and concentrated urine that is frequent and urgent in nature. Irritability, anger or anxiety.
BLOOD STAGNATION: Usually results in the urinary tract as a result of long term conditions such as trauma, urinary tract stones or long term deficiency, stagnation or damp heat.
S&S: Stabbing and fixed pain that may be acute or chronic in nature, there may also be dark blood in the urine, spider veins around the trunk, inner ankle or knee.
THE PRINCIPLES OF CHINESE MEDICINE MAINLY FOCUS ON DETERMINING AN ACCURITE DIAGNOSIS AND THEN TREATING THE PATHOLOGY INVOULVED. IF THERE IS DAMP, THEN DAMP IS DRAINED, IF THERE IS HEAT, THEN IT IS COOLED, IF THERE IS STAGNATION, IT IS REOSOLVED, IF THERE IS DEFICIENCY, THEN IT IS TONIFIED AND SO ON.
Issues of the Immune System
As discussed previously, the middle Jiao (stomach and spleen partnership) is the basis for health of the human body. It is where nutrients come in from the outside world and are digested and absorbed by the body to sustain life and health. The pure part of food is sent off to enrich the body whilst the waste part is sent off to be expelled from the body. It is therefore important to see that for this exchange of nutrients into and wastes out of the body, the middle Jiao’s healthy function is of utmost importance.
When starting to build up an individual’s immune system, the stomach and spleen function must be addresses first. The stomach digests the food sending the more pure part of the food essence to the spleen, and the waste products down to the small intestine. The spleen further separates this essence from more turbid and the pure, and sends the most pure part up to the lungs.
The lungs are then said to be able to make qi from good quality air inhaled into the body along with the pure food qi (gu qi) sent up from the spleen. The qi which is produced form this union of the lung, spleen and air creates what is known as wei qi (protective qi). When ample in the body, this wei qi is able to settle between the skin and muscle layer and protect the body from external evils. If the spleen and stomach function is healthy, then so too will be the lungs.
Often people with spleen qi deficiency will have a tendency to carry more phlegm in the lungs and will be more susceptible to lung and wei qi deficiency. If the spleen becomes encumbered by dampness, then impure mist can rise up and settle in the lungs leading to phlegm and mucous type conditions. If the spleen is really deficient however it may lose its ability to rise at all leading to descending spleen qi with diarrhoea, prolapses and further deficiency in the lungs and wei qi.
INDIVIDUALS CAN GREATLY BENEFIT FROM GAINING AN UNDERSTANDING OF CHINESE DIETRY THERAPY TO PREPARE FOR UPCOMMING SEASONS. MANY CLIENTS WHO DO THE WORK IN SUMMER AND AUTUMN FIND THAT THEY HAVE ESCAPED A NASTY COLD OF FLU IN THE WINTER. THE KEY IS TO ACT QUICKLY, DON’T MUCK AROUND WITH A COLD OR FLU. CHINESE MEDICINE OFFERS MANY OPPORTUNITIES VIA THE USE OF ACUPUNCTURE AND HERBAL MEDICINE TO BUILD UP IMMUNITY & PREVENT COLDS, TO STOP A COLD EARLY IN ITS TRACKS, OR IF A FLU IS LEFT TOO LONG, EFFORT CAN BE MADE TO TRY TO LESSEN THE SEVERITY AND TIME IN WHICH THE COLD LINGERS AROUND.
Male Reproductive Health
IMPOTENCE & MALE INFERTILITY
Men are often reluctant to discuss problems associated with sexual dysfunction or issues relating to infertility. There are many different causes leading to male reproductive disorders. Some may be psychological in nature; others may be due to underlying health issues.
SOME COMMON CAUSES MALE REPRODUCTIVE DISORDERS:
LIVER QI STAGNATION: Anger, resentment, stress or frustration built up over time can lead to what is known as liver qi stagnation. As the liver channel run straight through the penis, the channel becomes stagnant and qi is unable to reach where it should in able to form and maintain an erection.
S&S: Impotence, Irritability, depression, alternating diarrhoea and constipation, flatulence and abdominal distension.
DAMP HEAT: Alcohol and rich foods can lead to damp and heat in the body. Yin deficiency in the body can also generate heat, and if the spleen has suffered injury due to inappropriate diet, then damp can also form, leading to damp and heat also.
S&S: Impotence, genital pain, itch or swelling, may be a history of genital herpes, alternating bowels, concentrated yellow, cloudy or smelly urine, heaviness in the lower limbs, a sensation of heaviness in the muscles, there also may be low sperm count.
KIDNEY YIN DEFICIENCY: Stress and overwork, especially those who work shifts or late at night, recreational drug use, some prescription medications, insomnia. Taking too many aphrodisiacs can also lead to this condition as they are simply to hot in nature and therefore damage the fluids leading to deficiency heat.
S&S: Premature ejaculation, impotence, desire sex often but can’t maintain an erection, low sperm count with scanty ejaculate, insomnia, restlessness, dry stools or constipation, night sweats, tinnitus and dizziness.
HEART BLOOD AND SPLEEN QI DEFICIENCY: Worry, overwork, poor diet, stress and excessive sweet or raw food intake.
S&S: Insomnia, reduced appetite, performance anxiety (sexual), abdominal distension, fatigue and heart palpitations.
HEART AND GALL BLADDER QI DEFICIENCY: Anxiety, timidness, can result from previous shock, physical abuse or trauma during childhood and may include psychological disorders.
S&S: Anxiety, shyness, easily frightened or nervous, insomnia, palpitations and timidness.
BLOOD STAGNATION IN THE LOWER JAIO: Can result for trauma to the penile tissus otherwise known as broken penis.
S&S: Inability to maintain an erection or even obtain one at all. Blood stagnation is often local and only affects the genitals and is not systemic.
WHEN DEALING WITH ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION, TREATMENT CAN OFTEN TAKE A FEW MONTHS TO RESOLVE. THIS TYPE OF TREATMENT IS DEFINATELY NOT A QUICK FIX. IT ESPECIALLY BENIFITS MEN WHO HAVE FOUND VIAGRA TO BE INAFFECTIVE, OR FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO TREAT THE UNDERLYING PROPLEMS. IN CASES DUE TO EMOTIONAL ISSUES, THE CLIENT MAY ALSO FIND COUNCELLING TO BE HELPFULL.
Emotional Disorders
Chinese medicine can be implemented to treat a spectrum of psychological disorders; such as anxiety, depression, sadness and a lack of motivation. Disorders can stem from many differing aetiologies. Sometimes the body itself can hold on to emotional trauma which in turn affects the body, or the body can become out of balance which creates disorders of the spirit.
It is quite normal to feel the broad spectrum of emotions; it is what makes us human. Sometimes we may experience sadness, sorrow and depression if something external to us has caused grief; such as the loss of a loved one, the end of a relationship, the loss of money or a job. It is quite normal and natural to have “negative” feelings at this time.
At other times we may feel exhilarated, happy and excited. These emotions usually follow positive experiences such as falling a love, winning or gaining money or a promotion. All these types of feeling are normal too. It is when a person becomes stuck in a certain emotion for an extended period of time that the emotion can become problematic.
Contrary to popular belief being happy all the time is not a good thing. Too much joy can lead to heart heat and may lead to feeling or anxiety, emptiness or hyperactivity. People in this state feel that they need constant stimulation. They may feel the need to always be surrounded by people and may become easily bored. They may look to alcohol or drugs to keep then in that constant state of arousal and may find themselves depressed when not actively busy.
Others may feel that they always need to be in that “State of being in love”, they can often become easily dissatisfied in relationships and have strings of short romances which can affect their ability to find a loving life partner. Others may find it hard to hold down a job, finding that they are easily bored and desire new challenges constantly. Therefore one can see that a balance is needed in all areas to create emotional stability and happiness.
Some may work too hard and do not leave themselves the opportunity to play, whilst others may find themselves playing to hard with little thought to work related matters. The whole key is balancing out the emotions in the effort to stay grounded.
SOME COMMON CAUSES OF EMOTIONAL DISORDERS:
HEART QI DEFICIENCY: Can result from excessive sadness, grief or depression. It may also result from debility or illness in the body in which the individual a high fever which lead to heart agitation. It can also result from a history of poor diet.
S&S: Inability to concentrate, palpitations, insomnia, fatigue, anxiety and sweating for no apparent reason.
HEART AND KIDNEY YIN DEFICIENCY: The kidney yin may be damaged by excessive work or sexual activity, recreational drug or alcohol use. This breaks down the ability of the kidneys to communicate with the heart energy, which is a very important process in the Chinese medical belief system. The deficiency heat radiating from the kidneys can injure the heart creating yin deficiency in the heart also. This can lead to feeling or anxiety or depression. The heart and kidneys may also fail to communicate properly if the individual has experienced a sudden shock or trauma. When a person’s heart and kidneys’ are connecting as they should, the person will be calm and grounded.
S&S: Dry throat and mouth, forgetfulness, night sweats, lumbar pain, restlessness, irritability, panic attacks and being easily startled.
HEART BLOOD AND SPLEEN QI DEFICIENCY: Being stuck in one emotion for a long period of time can lead to heart blood and qi deficiency. The spleens function may also be disrupted which reduces the blood producing ability of the heart. As the lungs receive pure energy form the spleen to make qi, the heart should receive good quality essence from the spleen to make blood. The spleen’s function is therefore very closely related to the quality of blood produced and the function of the heart.
S&S: Heart palpitations, diarrhoea or constipation, bloating, anaemia, fatigue, muscle weakness, anxiety, panic attacks and depression.
HEART & GALL BLADDER DEFICIENCY: This condition can happen prior to birth; it can be considered a congenital disorder if the mother sustained a shock during pregnancy. This in turn causes deficiency in the foetus and subsequent child. It may also happen during childhood if the individual experienced trauma or abuse. It can also occur in adults as well as children who have experienced extreme shock or trauma. This type of disharmony is often found in individuals who appear withdrawn, shy or unable to speak their truth or in affect stand up for themselves.
S&S: Fear, an inability to stand up for one’s self, heart palpitations, easily frightened, feeling emotionally stuck, insomnia, depression, not being able to reach ones true potential, lack of belief in one’s self.
PHLEGM HEAT: Weakness in the spleen can often lead to disorders of damp which can then transform into a more condensed form of phlegm. This disorder originally results from a poor diet of rich and greasy, fatty or sugary foods. Stagnation in the body often leads to a generation of heat or fire. The two combines can often lead to a condition such as phlegm fire misting the mind or heart.
S&S: Foggy feeling in the brain, inability to concentrate, confusion, weight issues, digestive disorders, fatigue, muscle or body heaviness, oily skin and hair, depression or anxiety.
I PERSONALLY BELIEVE IN THE TERM "EVERYTHING IN MODERATION". I ALSO BELIEVE THAT SPIRITUAL HEALING IS A VERY IMPORTANT ADJUVANT TO CHINESE MEDICAL THERAPY. I CURRENTLY WORK IN CONJUCNCTION WITH AN AMAZING SPIRITUAL HEALER WHO IS ABLE TO GET DEEP DOWN TO THE ROOT CAUSE OF MANY ISSUES THAT OFTEN HOLD US BACK FROM REACHING OUR TRUE POTENTIALS. I LIKE TO WORK WITH OTHER HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONERS IN THIS FIELD, AS HERBS AND ACUPUNCTURE CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH. OFTEN IN THESE CASES PEOPLE NEED TO TALK OVER THEIR PROBLEMS WITH A QUALIFIED COUNCELLOR, PSYCHIATRIST OR SPIRITUAL HEALER.
Pregnancy and Postpartum
So now that conception has occurred and pregnancy is well under way, what more can Chinese Medicine offer to the new expectant mother. Many women find pregnancy to be an absolute wonderful experience, for others the experience may not be so joyous. A lot of expectant mothers may feel that their bodies have been hijacked or completely taken over by their baby and their hormones. This is as normal reaction when one is feeling tired, drained, constipated, uncomfortable and nauseated. Most morning sickness can be attributed to a disruption of the Middle Jiao energy of the stomach and spleen. Most women who experience debilitating morning sickness often can’t wait until the time comes when the baby is independent from their body. This doesn’t mean that you love your baby any less, it simply means that your body is put under stress that it is finding it hard to cope with.
Pregnancy and childbirth does put a rather large strain on your body, that is one reason why it’s important to build up your qi and blood even before becoming pregnant. This not only leads to a higher chance or conception, but also a healthy pregnancy for both you and bubs. It also allows you the strength and stamina to go through the birthing process with quicker recovery time at the end.
Many women who were either blood deficient or anaemic before conception, or who became so during pregnancy, find that they may not produce enough breast milk for their baby after birth. This can often occur if the mother has lost a lot of blood during the birthing process. Chinese medical therapy, especially herbs and dietary therapy can be implemented to build the blood and qi during all of these stages.
BLOOD DEFICIENCY S&S: Dizziness, fatigue, feeling weak, hair loss, low milk production, heart palpitations, floaters in the eyes, emotional, feelings over being overwhelmed.
Often babies can get themselves all into a tangle in side mum’s tummy, instead of being in the head down, bum up position, some may find themselves, breach, posterior or even lying sideways. It is at this stage that the gynaecologist may manually try to turn the foetus if it is unable to do so itself. If this fails, often the safest option for mum and bubs would be to book in for a c-section delivery. Many women prefer to use the C-section as the last resort, so often Chinese Medicine can be implemented to try to avoid surgery if possible.
Chinese Medicine can be implemented to assist the baby in moving into its correct position by itself. Treatment should begin at about 36 weeks, if left until 39-40 weeks, there is very little room for the baby to get into position.
Therefore the chance of success is reduced, but many Mum’s still believe it’s worth giving it a shot. Due to the gentle nature of Chinese medical treatment, a few weekly sessions may be needed to help bub into place. The baby is not manipulated by the TCM practitioner at all. Needles are placed in points that encourage the baby to move and moxa is generally always used on distal acupuncture points.
Some women may have a history of overdue births, labour inductions, or find themselves reaching 40 weeks with no real signs of imminent labour. Chinese medicine can be implemented to get the baby into position, soften the cervix, loosen all the muscles around the pelvis and sacrum and encourage the delivery processes. Because it is gentile in nature, weekly herbal and acupuncture treatments can begin from around 36-37 weeks of pregnancy. It is actually the baby how decided when it would like to be born. As stress levels and thus cortisol (stress hormone) in the baby rise due to feeling cramped, the mother’s production of progesterone decreases, this signals to the body to induce Oxytocin to initiate labour. Sometimes talking to the baby during mediation
Peadiatric Care
Locations and Appointments Times
Rosebud Physiotherapy:
42-44 Boneo rd, Rosebud, Victoria.
Ph: 03 5986 3655
Tuesdays: 8.30 am - 5.00pm
Fridays: 8.30am -5.00pm
Mornington Complimentary Medicine:
138 Tanti Ave, Mornington, Victoria
Ph: 03 5973 6886
Mondays: 2.00pm-8.00pm
Thursday: 2.00pm-8.00pm
Qualifications
Bachelor of Health Sciences.
Chinese Medicine: Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine.
Victoria University
MAP
Acupressure, Acupuncture, Cupping, Herbalists, Natural Fertility Management, Sports Injury Therapy, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Womens Health
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