Northern Rivers Chinese Medicine Clinic

About Us

Alli is enlisted with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and is a part of the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA).

Alli has finished further studies in the practice of Canonical Chinese Medicine getting to be one of just 60 Chinese Medicine Practitioners to have practical experience in the utilisation of Canonical Chinese Medicine in Australia. This training has allowed her to increase her efficiency and to restore you back to optimal health as fast as possible.

Alli is extremely passionate about assisting people towards a healthier and happier life and strives to provide them with dedicated health support. Her integrative approach is particularly focused on pain management and restoring digestive balance in her patients.

Moxibustion

Moxibustion is an externally applied Traditional Chinese Medicine technique that has been a part of healthcare practices across Asia for many centuries. The technique involves the burning of an herb called Mugwort on or around the skin to heal the patient.

There are a few unique strategies for applying moxibustion and it can be use in conjunction with acupuncture. The technique utilised will rely on upon the type of health concern and the treatment plan that is put in place.

Traditionally, moxibustion as an adjunct therapy aims to assist with pain management, digestive issues, gynaecological concerns, enhancing immunity, promoting circulation to treat discomfort and strengthening the body.

There is evidence to suggest that Moxibustion may have a positive effect in assisting movement in breech babies.

Acupuncture

Traditionally acupuncture includes the insertion and stimulation of hair fine needles into particular areas along the network of meridians aiming to discharge blockages and regulate drained areas aiming to bring harmony to the body.

According to the Traditional Chinese Medicine system, managing the flow of Qi, blood and body liquids eases pain as well as keeps the body fit and strong to fight off diseases.

Where acupuncture is applied is based upon the individual Chinese Medicine diagnosis. There are distinctive sensations experienced with acupuncture including a dull sensation around the needle, warmth surrounding the area of the needle radiating along the meridian, and a feeling of relaxation.

Acupuncture needles are inserted and held for 20-45 minutes in a treatment session.

When taken as an adjunct therapy, there is strong evidence to suggest that Acupuncture has potential for positive effects on various conditions.

Cupping

Cupping is a method in which particular glasses are used with heat to create suction on the body's surface. The vacuum made by the absence of oxygen anchors the cup to the skin and pulls it upward within the glass, as the air inside the glass cools.

The cells of the body use oxygen and radiate carbon dioxide; and according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine system, when the energy is hindered, the cell waste or carbon dioxide gets blocked. This is called toxin or acid build up. It is believed that cell waste and toxins can develop in muscles and joints and these blockages can bring on additional stagnation and pain. The suction of the cups intends to draw the cell's waste and toxins from the deep tissue to the skin's surface, aiming to allow the body to get rid of the toxins via the capillary system or blood supply.

Research suggests that placement of cups on selected acupoints on the skin produces hyperemia or hemostasis, which results in a therapeutic effect.

The feeling of cupping is not painful, simply a feeling of suction. The area that has been cupped may feel slightly stiff or tight for up to 24 hours after the treatment.

Chinese Herbal Medicine

Chinese Herbal Medicine is one of the oldest healthcare systems in the world going back to around 200 AD. Ingredients are mainly sourced from minerals and plants and include substances such as liquorice, ginger and dates. In rare circumstances animal products are prescribed, however no unethical products or endangered animals products are used at Northern Rivers Chinese Medicine Clinic.

The key establishments of Chinese Herbal Medicine depend on the flavour, temperature and nature of herbs, which then aim to restore the correct physiological capacities of the body, allowing the body to heal itself.

Chinese Herbal Medicine combines individual herbs together to create a formula; based upon diagnosis and the synergy between the individual herbs.

Northern Rivers Chinese Medicine Clinic endorses the use of only the finest quality Chinese herbs available.

Dietary Therapy

A balanced and healthy diet is essential to give the energy required to the body for it to maintain optimum health. As the saying goes, ‘you are what you eat’, however a healthy diet for one person may not be the case for another.

Dietary therapy is an integral part of Chinese Medicine. The suitable dietary guidance depends on a few elements, for example, the individual's constitution, the Chinese Medicine disease pattern and the season of year.

Chinese Herbal Medicine comprises of mainly food-based ingredients, highlighting the energetic and therapeutic effects of food. Eating seasonal foods is an imperative concept in Traditional Chinese Medicine. This is based on the theory that our bodies change through the seasons and require the nutrition accessible amid various times of the year to keep up great wellbeing.

Other dietary habits that are encouraged include being relaxed while eating, having regular meal times, not eating too late at night and thoroughly chewing food.

Pain Management

Traditionally, Chinese Herbal Medicine and acupuncture aim to relax the body, reduce pain and clear inflammation. Our approach also seeks to assist in restoring and repairing damaged tissue in order to prevent the problem from recurring.

Chinese Medicine as an adjunct therapy aims to alleviate discomfort associated with the following conditions:

• Arthritic conditions


• Assisting with the healing of broken bones


• Muscular atrophy


• Bell’s Palsy


• Repetitive strain injuries such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome


• Body aches


• Sciatica


• Tennis & Golfers Elbow


• Frozen Shoulder


• Recurrent & acute stiff neck


• Acute injuries (sprains, bruising, pulled muscles)


• Chronic pain conditions


• Muscular spasms and cramps


• Jaw pain


• Neuropathies


• Muscular function deficits from stroke or illness.

Evidence suggests that Chinese Medicine as an adjunct therapy may have potential for positive effects with post-operative pain management.

Digestive Issues

Chinese medicine is holistic and personalised.  Each patient’s treatment plan, acupuncture procedure, herbal medicine prescription, and nutrition plan will be specifically tailored to the individual’s symptoms, physical and emotional constitution, and other needs.  There are numerous causes and symptoms of digestive dysfunction, and we approach each case individually.

The World Health Organisation has published a long list of conditions that have been shown through controlled clinical trials to be treated effectively by acupuncture when used as an adjunct therapy. These include nausea, vomiting, peptic ulcer, epigastric pain and gastritis. At Northern Rivers Chinese Medicine, we are highly experienced with using acupuncture to treat these and many other digestive disorders.

Traditionally, Chinese Herbal Medicine also aims to have a positive effect on functional imbalance of the digestive organs, from the mouth and oesophagus all the way down to the intestines and rectum. Certain herbs that are often used in Chinese Herbal Medicine possess anti-inflammatory properties that may have soothing effects on the intestinal walls.

Dietary therapy is also a large part of treating digestive issues in conjunction with Chinese Herbal Medicine and acupuncture. Treatments focus on restoring the functions of the digestive system aiming to treat the cause of the problem and to prevent the issue from reoccurring.

Chinese Medicine as an adjunct therapy aims to assist with a range of common digestive disorders, such as:

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome


• Abdominal pain


• Crohn’s Disease


• Ulcerative Colitis


• Diarrhea


• Constipation


• Nausea


• Poor appetite


• Heartburn


• Abdominal bloating and distension


• Gastroenteritis


• Gingivitis


• Mouth ulcers


• Hiccough.

If your condition is not shown above, please speak to one of our practitioners about how we can support in the management of your condition.

Cosmetic Acupuncture

Cosmetic Acupuncture, aka Facial Rejuvenation, is a form of Traditional Chinese dermatology that utilises skin needling, aiming to visibly improve the texture and tone of your skin. Many laser clinics are now offering a similar procedure at a significantly more expensive price.

The theory behind cosmetic acupuncture is that the skin needling causes a micro trauma, which then prompts the skin to produce more collagen to heal the trauma, which has the effect of filling out skin and smoothing out lines.

Very fine, sterile needles are inserted into the face, which aims to activate, or release muscles as required; this in turn may help to boost circulation of blood and lymphatic fluid, plumping up the skin and smoothing its appearance.

There is evidence to suggest that cosmetic acupuncture may have potentially for positive effect with increasing facial elasticity.

For more information about the best services for your needs or to organise an appointment - just give us a call!