TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE
Traditional Chinese Medicine has been used to treat a wide variety of health conditions for thousands of years and continues to gain popularity in Western society as a powerful, drug free and safe alternative to Western medicine.
The theory at the centre of TCM is that illness is caused by an imbalance or disharmony within the body involving physical, emotional and psychological factors. Using a combination of healing methods including Acupuncture, Chinese Herbs, Cupping and Moxibustion, the body is eased back into balance so that health and homeostasis is restored.
Our specialised practitioners offer herbal formulae to support and strengthen the acupuncture treatment, or as stand alone treatment. The herbal formulae target the specific conditions or health concerns within the body to restore optimum health, balance and wellbeing. You can read more about the list of conditions that TCM treats here.
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What is acupuncture and how does it work?Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medicine based practice that has been used for thousands of years and proven to treat hundreds of health conditions. The aim of acupuncture is to restore the flow of Qi by removing blockages and stagnancy, and help the body and mind return to a state of health. It involves the gentle insertion of extremely fine sterilized needles to acupuncture points located throughout your body which initiates a natural healing response and is proven to reduce stress, boost energy levels and rebalance the body, mind and spirit all while gently relieving your symptoms, and healing the underlying issue. The pins remain in place for up to 40 minutes and during this time you’ll experience a calming state of relaxation and a sense of wellbeing. To go into a bit more detail, Chinese medicine’s traditional physiological view of the body involves the flow of Qi through various channels and pathways that exist throughout the body. These pathways flow through all of the tissues and organs of the body. The smooth flow of Qi throughout these pathways is essential for the body to function properly and to maintain good health and wellbeing. Studies show that acupuncture activates neurohormonal pathways which then stimulate biochemical releases within the body. It activates a response from the central nervous system, increases blood flow and stimulates the release of our naturally occuring chemicals within our body such as endogenous opioids, endogenous cannabinoids, and neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin and also balances stress hormones. Research suggests that the endogenous opioid system helps to reduce the effect stress has on the body and helps to build resilience to stress which in turn has a flow on effect to the endocrine system, the autonomic nervous system and emotional and behavioural responses. The endogenous cannabinoid system functions in the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, endocrine system, organs and immune system and is a major regulatory system within the body. It assists in the regulation of blood pressure, inflammation, pain, mood, our immunity, appetite, metabolism and stress. Acupuncture helps to activate our neurotransmitters and increases the levels of the natural ‘feel good’ chemicals within our bodies like serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin. It reduces stress by reducing levels of cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline within the body. Overall, Acupuncture can help with a wide range of health disorders from fertility and IVF support, hormone imbalances, mental health disorders, pain disorders, digestive issues and chronic diseases. Click here for a full list of conditions we treat.
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Does it hurt?No, not at all. Acupuncture is an incredibly calming and relaxing practice and most people are surprised by how pain free it is. You may feel a warm sensation or a slight tingling or numbness at the site but many of our patients fall asleep during the treatment due to it’s calming effect. Our practitioners are extremely gentle and highly experienced and make sure you are feeling comfortable and relaxed at every step of your treatment.
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How will I feel after the treatment?Immediately after the treatment, many of our patients report feelings ranging from revitalised, clear headed and energetic to extremely calm, relaxed and sleepy. You may also find improvements in the quality of your sleep, improved mood, reduced stress, improved mental clarity and an overall increase in energy.
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How long does it take to work?Each person is unique and heals at a different rate, however most people start to feel improvements right away. More chronic conditions can take a few sessions before you start to see the improvements. Our practitioners will be able to give you an idea of how many sessions you will need on your first visit. It is our aim to listen to and customise an individual treatment plan for each of our clients. Our professional and caring team will guide you every step of the way.