Do you have shin splints? Shin splints are a chronic strain injury to the muscles of the shin and clinically known as either medial tibialis stress syndrome (MTSS) or anterior tibialis stress syndrome (ATSS) depending on which area of the shin is strained. It is a painful condition and often associated with running, sports, or rigorous activity on uneven surfaces. As the muscle of the shins over work, due to unstable or extended use, they tighten. Blood flow and nutrition become insufficient and the tissues strains. Either the muscle, the tendon or muscle-bone attachments inflame and pain occ ..read more

We’ve had a few sore, swollen wrists and thumbs come into the clinic last month so we thought we’d spotlight on how acupuncture is a definite thumbs up for helping to relieve this painful condition. What is De Quervain's Tenosynovitis? De Quervain’s syndrome is an inflammatory, overuse injury primarily of the Abductor Pollicis Longus and the Extensor Pollicis Brevis tendons of the thumb as these tendons pass through their protective sheath at the wrist. Repetitive overuse and strain raises inflammation of the tendons and the sheath that wraps around the wrist called the synovium. This so ..read more

Japanese acupuncture or “Toyohari” style Acupuncture is the subtle method of working with the qi energy circulating over (and through) the body and meridians. Japanese acupuncture or meridian therapy treatment is delivered in two or more parts: 1. Balancing the meridian system: It is imperative to the philosophy of Japanese style to balance the Ki energy circulating in the 12 meridians. It is thought disease cannot penetrate the body when the meridians are full of this dynamic, healthy, flowing Ki energy. Therefore if there is too much energy in some meridians and not enough in others the Ja ..read more

Acupuncture in its traditional form has been used by people for their pain over thousands of years. Recently its mechanism of action and efficacy have been assessed through modern evidence-based standards. The current state of evidence is emerging to support the use of acupuncture in some chronic conditions. It is now not possible to say that the effect of acupuncture is a placebo (1). Its mechanism of action is thought to be multifactorial, with evidence of its effect in cell modulating effects locally, and its deactivation of nerve pathways at the level of the spine and within the brain. T ..read more

Endometriosis is a multifaceted, complex condition. Often there is a need for more support as many women find themselves wanting to better manage the pain and associated symptoms. As the number of good quality studies increase, the understanding of how acupuncture helps endometriosis and period pain is improving. Acupuncture is now recognised by the Endo-Australia organisation as a pain relieving treatment that improves women’s quality of life. What is Endometriosis? Endometriosis is a diagnosis given to women who are found by a laparoscopy (as the ‘gold standard’) with endometrial-like l ..read more

Depression and anxiety are frightening and isolating places to find ourselves in and with the turbulent global issues that we are currently traversing, people are feeling a lack of optimism and positive feelings for the future. Since the 60s depression has been attributed to the neurotransmitter imbalance theory, a lack of serotonin in the brain, however it is lesser known that since the 80s this has been disproven (3). The fact is the biomedical model of depression is still unclear and although anti-depressants are being prescribed for depression, the evidence for long term efficacy vs. sid ..read more

In this article we look at what the spleen is in Chinese medicine, and 5 great ways to promote the health of your digestion according to Chinse medical wisdom. The Food choices The way we eat The way we cook Other lifestyle choices Noticing our habits What is the Spleen in Chinese medicine? In Chinese medicine our gut health relates directly to the Spleen. It is the central aspect of the digestive process and in many ways the central aspect of our overall health and wellbeing. There was a school of thought in Chinese medicine saying when the Spleen is healthy then all other diseases are ..read more

For thousands of years women have been using a variety of self-care secrets to manage or treat pain and other issues associated with menstruation, naturally regulate their cycle and promote pregnancy, and later heal from childbirth. Here we reveal in succession, six self-care Traditional Chinese Medicine and East-Asian folk practices that may assist women in modern times. Women’s Secret #6 is EXERCISE. Exercise is too larger a topic to really sink into here. However, there is evidence for its benefits for many different women’s health conditions and fertility promotion, but the secret is in ..read more

For thousands of years women have been using a variety of self-care secrets to manage or treat pain and other issues associated with menstruation, naturally regulate their cycle and promote pregnancy, and later heal from childbirth. Here we reveal in succession, six self-care Traditional Chinese Medicine and East-Asian folk practices that may assist women in modern times. These techniques might be thought to support the health of the ovaries and follicles, thicken and aid in smooth shedding of the endometrial lining, reduce pelvic and systemic inflammation, modulate immune function, and bala ..read more

For thousands of years women have been using a variety of self-care secrets to manage or treat pain and other issues associated with menstruation, naturally regulate their cycle and promote pregnancy, and later heal from childbirth. Here we reveal in succession, six self-care Traditional Chinese Medicine and East-Asian folk practices that may assist women in modern times. These techniques might be thought to support the health of the ovaries and follicles, thicken and aid in smooth shedding of the endometrial lining, reduce pelvic and systemic inflammation, modulate immune function, and bala ..read more