Luke is a qualified acupuncturist, trained in Melbourne and China.
He specializes in IVF support, period pain, hayfever, arthritis, sinus, & pain conditions.
SERVICES
Health Rebates Available
I am an acupuncturist & bowen / massage therapist with 10 years experience in the natural health industry. My acupuncture training took place in Melbourne at the Australian College of Natural Medicine & at the Guangxi Traditional Chinese Medical University in Nanning, China.
My main aim is to treat you like a person, not a set of signs and symptoms. So even if you came in for period pain I would treat that pain but I would also take into account all the other signs & symptoms to see the 'big picture'. This enables me to make a diagnosis & treat the underlying issues contributing the presenting problem.
As well as treating specific problems Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is also very effective for maintaining optimum health & preventing illness. This means that once you get back on track with your health, you can come in once in a while for a ‘top-up’ to keep you feeling great & preventing a relapse.
Acupuncture is well known for the treatment of injuries & painful conditions. But it is also fantastic for menstrual disorders, menopausal symptoms, anxiety, & hayfever just to mention a few.
Acupuncture and IVF
Acupuncture can also help and support you through the IVF process. The latest research that was published in the British Medical Journal has found that combining acupuncture with the embryo transfer increases the chances of success up to 65%. This is very promising.
I have treated many patients going through the IVF process & understand their concerns. On the day of an embryo transfer you will need to have two acupuncture appointments - the first before the transfer & the second directly after the transfer. It is preferable to do these treatments as close to the transfer as possible.
I also like to encourage IVF patients to have at least one acupuncture appointment prior to the transfer to so they will know what acupuncture feels like. I find that there is enough anxiety experienced on a transfer day without having to add to it by having acupuncture for the first time the same day.
The treatments will help blood flow to the uterus & will help reduce stress, anxiety and nervousness. If the patient has had multiple cycles and/or embryo transfers without success then it is beneficial to have weekly acupuncture appointments for 1-2 months & during the IVF cycle to address any imbalances.
Location, Location, Location The clinic location is perfect for IVF patients as we are about a 2 minute drive down Fullarton Rd from Repromed (the main IVF clinic in Adelaide). We also have off-street parking so there is no need to worry about traffic & parking, & you can receive your treatment as close the transfer as possible which is ideal!
I am available to do acupuncture treatments for the embryo transfer any day of the week (that includes most Saturday's & public holidays). Sometimes patients only have a couple of days notice when their transfer is taking place so please call & make an appointment as soon as possible.
If you would like to read more about Acupuncture and IVF & the research involved then please visit this excellent website of a Sydney based clinic
AcupunctureIVF
In many instances acupuncture can be used on its own to treat particular conditions. In other cases you might need to combine acupuncture with your medication/treatment prescribed by your naturopath, chiropractor, physiotherapist, doctor or specialist. The idea is that Acupuncture can be thought of as a ‘complementary’ therapy and not an ‘alternative’ therapy.
During a consultation I will utilize any of the following treatment methods:- Acupuncture (the insertion of very fine needles)
- Massage / Tui Na (Chinese massage)
- Moxibustion (the application of heat to acupoints)
- Patent herbal formulas (pre-packaged powdered herbal pills)
- Cupping & gua-sha
I may also use a variety of massage techniques and Bowen Therapy.
What is Acupuncture?
It is the practice of inserting very fine needles into the skin to stimulate specific anatomical points in the body (called acupoints or acupuncture points) for therapeutic purposes. Along with the usual method of puncturing the skin with fine needles, acupuncturists also use other methods to stimulate the points;- Heat (called moxibustion)
- Friction, manipulation & pressure
- Electromagnetic stimulation
The acupoints are stimulated to balance the movement of life-force energy called qi (pronounced chee) in the body to restore health & prevent disease.
Does it hurt?
Unlike hypodermic injection needles, acupuncture needles are solid & hair-thin; they are not designed to cut the skin. They are also inserted to much more shallow levels than hypodermic needles, generally no more than a half-inch to an inch depending on the type of treatment being delivered. I only use needles that are high-quality, sterile, once-use only products.
While each person experiences acupuncture differently, most people feel only a minimal amount of sensation as the needles are inserted, but different points on the body elicit different sensations.
What should I expect on my first visit?
As with most health practitioners, the first visit to an acupuncturist usually begins with the practitioner taking a detailed history. Since TCM takes a more holistic approach to patient care than Western medicine, I may ask you questions that appear unimportant (questions about your sleep habits, your ability to tolerate heat or cold, your dietary habits, etc) but these are actually vital to the type of care you will receive. The goal is to assemble all the jig-saw pieces of information into one coherent picture allowing me to determine the most appropriate personalized treatment for you.
In addition to asking questions I will also ask to see your tongue & I will feel your pulse on both wrists. Tongue & pulse diagnosis is a method of “observing” how your body is functioning internally, similar to iris diagnosis used by Naturopaths.
Depending on the diagnosis, needles will be inserted into specific acupuncture points on the body. I may use heat or electrical stimulation to enhance acupuncture's therapeutic effect. Depending on your condition, your first visit may take between 60-90 minutes. Return visits can last anywhere from 30-45 minutes. It may take several visits (similar to a chiropractic schedule) to see significant improvement or resolve your condition. If you don't understand a particular technique or type of treatment, make sure to ask me.
How many treatments do I need?
The number & frequency of visits depends upon several factors such as the duration & intensity of your condition; your age & general constitution; your response to treatment & your willingness to do things to help yourself (taking prescribed herbs, doing exercises, making suggested lifestyle changes).
Chinese medicine is effective because it makes very specific subtle changes to your body’s energy system. The effects are accumulative so compliance with a suggested treatment schedule will maximise your chance of improvement.
What can I do to benefit my treatment?- Arrive at your appointment a few minutes early; this will ensure you are nice & calm prior to having your treatment. Please turn off your mobile phone during your treatment.
- Avoid stimulants like coffee, cigarettes & other drugs such as marijuana at least two hours prior to your session. Avoid eating just prior to your session.
- Ensure you are clean & if possible freshly showered to minimise the possibility of skin infection at the needle entry sites.
- If you are prescribed herbs, exercises or dietary advice, ensure that you follow the suggested techniques. This will maximize your recovery & reduce the number of treatments required.
- Like massage, acupuncture can leave you a little disoriented after a treatment. Please ensure you sit for a few moments & have some water prior to getting in a car to drive home.
Just remember that if you are nervous about needles, you have very little to worry about. I am very friendly and gentle and understand your concerns so you can enjoy your treatment as much as possible.
There are two things you need to do:
1. Decide that whatever is troubling you is not worth hanging onto and that you should do something about it today.
2. Pick up the phone and make an appointment (8362 6622)or call my mobile (0403 488 405)to have a chat.
I look forward to working towards a healthier life for you.
QUALIFICATION DETAILS
Bachelor of Health Science (Acupuncture)
Advanced Certicate in Chinese Medicine - Guangxi China
Diploma of Massage Therapy
Competency in Fascial Kinetics (A Bowen Therapy)
Certificate III in Sports Massage
Certificate III in Aromatherapy
Certificate in Reiki (Usui Shiki Ryoho method)
Certificate in Bowen Therapy for Horses and Dogs
Service Categories
Acupressure, Acupuncture, Bowen Therapy, Chinese Massage, Remedial Massage, Sports Injury Therapy, Sports Massage, Swedish Relaxation Massage, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Trigger Point Therapy
|
|
 |
