Red date and longan tea has been used for centuries throughout China. It can be taken frequently and tastes terrific. According to Chinese medicine, this is a tonic or strengthening tea. Drinking this tea will strengthen the Blood, improve circulation, relax the mind and improve immunity against disease.

Even better red dates are high in Vitamin C, Vitamin A, B1, B2, calcium, phosphorus, iron and magnesium! This is one tea that tastes great and is great for you.

Traditionally this is a tea that is taken in the last trimester of pregnancy and also taken by women that have heavy periods or have a history of anaemia. It can also be taken while recovering from illness or surgery. However, it can also be taken when you are feeling completely healthy as a way to keep you well!

This tea is considered 'heaty' so if you are unsure if it is right for you please check with your Chinese medicine practitioner first.

The recipe is simple and for those living locally you can get your ingredients here.

Red date & Longan Tea Recipe

Ingredients:

20 Whole Pitted Red Date – Dà Zǎo - 大枣

13 Whole dried Longan – Lóng Yǎn Ròu - 龙眼肉

Rock sugar – (optional)

Use:

To strengthen the Qi, Blood and digestion. Calm the mind.

Pre labour preparation.

Taken as a tonic during menstruation, pregnancy from 35 weeks, after pregnancy, throughout winter. Following major illness, disease or surgery.

May also be taken on a regular basis as a general tonic if feeling weak or fatigued.

Avoid in case of fever or excess heat in the body.

Ask your Chinese medicine practitioner if you are concerned.

Directions:

Take about 20 seedless red dates and soak them in a bowl of tap water for at least an hour (or even soak overnight).

If you happen to buy red dates with the seeds still inside then you will need to remove the seeds before boiling.

After soaking the red dates combine them with 12 longan in about 2 litres of water.

Bring to a boil and then simmer for about 30-40 minutes.

After simmering there should be about 1-1.5 litres of tea.

Add rock sugar by dissolving in the pot (only if you require a sweeter tea).

Strain the liquid and drink throughout the day.

Drink hot or at room temperature.

Drink 100 - 250ml up to 1lt each day.

(You may choose to keep a 1-2 longan and 1 red date in a cup of tea and eat them while enjoying your tea)

This is a great tea to make and enjoy on a regular basis.

Ben Heathcote is a qualified and registered practitioner of Chinese Medicine. He has 15 years experience in the health industry and sees patients at the multi-modality clinic True Health,located in the suburb of Ormond, Victoria.

Scar tissue can result from cosmetic surgery, joint replacement surgery and accidentsScar tissue may impact blood flow, Qi flow and normal function in related areas Acupuncture for scars requires a course of treatment to be completedA study in 2011 shows that acupuncture can improve scar tissue (1)

Post surgery scar tissue often looks unsightly with redness, purpleness and raised sections but can also cause other problems such as remaining itchy and painful for many years. Depending on the location, scars can also prevent proper movement of a limb or joint and can cause other internal problems when located on the trunk of the body.

As an acupuncturist I see the location of a scars as being particularly important. Scar tissue impacts not only blood flow but also Qi flow through the body. For example, it is quite common for women to experience digestive problems shortly after having breast augmentation surgery as the incisions are made across the Stomach meridians. Similarly, caesarian surgery scars cut across the meridians that influence the reproductive organs and bladder function. Proper function may be affected by scar tissue depending on the location.

Treatment of scar tissue with acupuncture aims to soften the fibrotic tissue that has been laid down forming a scar and improve blood circulation through the area. Softening scar tissue allows proper movement to return to the area and relieve the constant feeling of tightness. Once blood flow is restored scar tissue may flatten and become lighter in colour. It is impossible for scar tissue to completely disappear but improving how scars look and how they feel is possible.

In clinic, the scars I see causing the most problems for people result from breast implant surgery, hip and knee replacement surgery, C-section surgery and bone fracture surgery. Arthroscopic surgery scars and acne scars tend to be a problem from an aesthetics point of view but rarely cause pain or altered function in the area they are located. Post surgery acupuncture to limit the effect scars may have down the track is also an option.

After an initial assessment to ensure suitability, a course of acupuncture treatment is undertaken. Scar tissue may soften, lighten and flatten. Any function that has been decreased or affected by the scar tissue may also improve as treatment continues. Depending on the size of the scar and how long it's been there will determine how many sessions are needed to get the desired results. Usually, around 15 - 20 sessions would be expected in order to see lasting results. A course of acupuncture for scar tissue may be undertaken any time after surgery.

If you have any questions about a particular scar and how it may be impacting you on a daily or occasional basis feel free to send me a message to find out if something can be done to help. Alternatively, if you feel it is already time to do something about a scar that's bothering you call the clinic for an initial consultation and treatment to get started.

Research

What is it?

Developed and used for centuries throughout Asia, Gua Sha (pronounced 'gwarshar') is a manual therapeutic technique mainly utilised by practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine for a variety of applications.

Gua Sha goes by many different names including spooning, scraping and even coining. It's an old technique that's even been picked up by non traditional modalities in recent times and relabelled as the 'Graston technique' with Chiropractors, Osteopaths and Physiotherapists discovering it's benefits. No matter what we call it, the technique and results are virtually the same.

In clinic, gua sha is only performed after a comprehensive consultation. It is usually part of a complete treatment that also includes acupuncture, herbal, dietary and exercise advice. Gua sha is not usually a stand alone technique.

How it's done

The technique itself sees the practitioner using a flat, smooth edged, hard, hand held instrument which is then scraped directionally on the chosen place of the body. The area being worked on is lubricated with an oil or liniment. This makes gua sha more comfortable while an area is being worked.

My personal favourite gua sha tool is a simple ceramic soup spoon. It may not be fancy but it does a wonderful job because it is perfectly shaped to hold and has a perfectly smooth rounded edge for applying to the patient. Other gua sha tools specifically designed for the job include those made out of wood, stone, metal and jade. It is common in Vietnam for the gua sha tool to simply be a coin.

Uses

Most commonly used to clear muscular tension and stiffness, gua sha is a physical therapy. By working through areas of tension, stiffness and pain using the gua sha tool, your practitioner can actually feel where adhesions and muscle fibre bunching are occurring. Then by increasing the pressure these adhesions and entangled muscle fibre can be physically broken down. Once these are cleared blood circulation to the area is naturally restored resulting in less pain, decreased stiffness and improved function. Gua sha in this form feels similar to a strong massage. However, if patients find the technique too sore, the pressure can be reduced and still be effective..

There is actually a wide variety of reasons that gua sha may be used:

PainStiffnessDecreased range of movementFever associated with cold, flu, upper respiratory tract infectionsCosmetic reasonsAthletic performance

Post Treatment

Side effects of this type of gua sha include redness and petechiae on the skin. Petechiae is red spotting on the skin caused by broken capillaries just under the surface. However, this redness or bruising is not dangerous and the skin is not broken. Any colour brought to the surface should be gone in 2-3 days after the treatment. Some people may experience some level of skin sensitivity after a treatment. This is also temporary and quite normal.

Although some images of gua sha may seem extreme because of the amount of colour/bruising that occurs, it's important to remember that this colour will only occur when there is excessive tension and stiffness in muscles. As treatment continues, each time gua sha is used the colour will become lighter and lighter until no more colour comes to the surface.

Interestingly, when working through a problem area, where there is an entanglement of the muscle fibres, the spot that becomes red and coloured first is often the spot where tension and muscle fibre bunching is at its worst. Thus, gua sha is not only therapeutic but may also be used as a diagnostic tool to find the origins of muscle tension in larger areas.

Cosmetic Uses

Gua sha has always been popular for cosmetic reasons in countries such as China, Japan and Korea. And now we see there is more demand for this kind of gua sha in Australia, the USA and Europe too. Performed on the face, the aim is to improve the complexion, muscle tone and aid lymphatic drainage. It's popularity has been bolstered by recent articles in magazines such as Elle and Vogue.

Be aware that when gua sha is used on the face it is done so with a lighter application. It is not painful and there should be no bruising. This is very different to gua sha that is performed on other areas of the body. Gua sha performed properly on the face should feel relaxing and gentle, quite similar to some types of facial massage. Gua sha on the face for cosmetic reason is nearly always followed by acupuncture, jade roller treatment and sometimes light cupping to reinforce the effects of the treatment.

Chinese Medicine Theory

Using the unique diagnostic criteria of Chinese medicine is another way that gua sha is chosen as the treatment of choice. Chinese medicine discerns health issues under different categories such as Wind, Damp, Cold and Heat. When Heat and Wind is diagnosed then gua sha may be chosen as part of the treatment approach.

Heat may present as fever due to infection or even heat associated with menopause. Wind, on the other hand, may present as a stiff neck or uncontrollable twitches and muscle cramps. These are all indicators for gua sha to be used.

Research

Encouraging news for gua sha enthusiasts: a study in 2014 found increased movement in neck and shoulder pain sufferers following gua sha treatment. These were people that tended to use computers too much. And further research in 2017 actually found that athletic performance increased after gua sha treatment on weight lifters that participated in the study. So here we have two studies that show the benefits of gua sha in terms of not only health benefits but also in terms of exercise and sports performance.

Finally

A complete Chinese medicine consultation is used to determine exactly which techniques should be used for each individual. And gua sha is often just part of a treatment that may also include acupuncture, herbal advice, moxibustion, diet advice and lifestyle advice.

If you would like to find out more about gua sha and its benefits or book in for your first gua sha treatment please Contact Us today. Our practitioners are happy to answer any questions you have regarding this technique or any other Chinese medicine related questions.

Treatment approaches for reproductive issues have a long history in Chinese medicine. Historical texts are filled with reproductive theory and treatment standards that are still applied today.

Chinese medicine is not a 'one size fits all' model but individualised and tailored to each patient. Treatments are designed to suit each patient following an in depth consultation process.

These days acupuncture is popular for assisting during IVF treatment cycles. The popularity of acupuncture during IVF cycles is perhaps because treatment not only addresses the physical level but also the mental and emotional states of the patient. The emotional strain and stress associated with mainstream fertility treatments are considered at each and every stage of treatment.

While undergoing IVF, it is usually suggested that patients have weekly acupuncture treatments in the lead up to embryo transfer. At the time of embryo transfer it is recommended that extra treatments be used just before and just after the procedure. After transfer acupuncture treatment should then continue on a weekly basis. Acupuncture can be used throughout pregnancy on a weekly or fortnightly basis.

For those that have experienced multiple failed attempts at IVFit’s recommended to have acupuncture twice a week in the weeks before embryo transfer and twice a week again in the weeks following the transfer.

For women that have a history of miscarriage it is recommended to have acupuncture twice a week after embryo transfer well in to the second trimester of pregnancy.

If you have any questions please call the clinic and speak to a practitioner in person. If you would like to book your first consultation please use the Book Now link at the top of the page.

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Not For The Faint Hearted

By now anyone using social media with an interest in sports has probably seen some amazing photos of NFL star James Harrison having acupuncture and cupping sessions that can involve the use of 200 plus needles! Sounds extreme right? If you haven’t seen these incredible photos go now and check them out here. Some NFL players have even reportedly had sessions that involve around 400 needles! It sounds crazy, but when it comes to athletic performance and bodybuilding, sometimes, that’s what it takes.

While this may seem an extreme form of acupuncture it actually does suit its purpose. If you’re in to bodybuilding, power lifting, CrossFit or mixed martial arts this style of “Performance Acupuncture” is for you. I’ll get to the why soon. I’ll even share with you the secret to improved results from all the hard work you’re putting it to your workouts. What’s more this is not just about acupuncture, there is even more that can be done to increase your results. Before you go I’ll even explain what you should stop doing – highly controversial but we’ll get there!

Why Acupuncture?

Most people that have experienced acupuncture will be aware that a usual session involves the use of around 10-20 needles being placed carefully at various locations throughout the body. These needles are stimulating the flow of Qi and Blood through various regions to restore proper function that, for one reason or another, has been disrupted resulting in either pain, dysfunction or injury.

In Chinese Medicine, we believe human physiology is negatively affected by overuse and excessive strain, lack of use, diet and mental or emotional stress. And who doesn’t experience at least one of those, right? For athletes, bodybuilders, figure competitors, MMA stars and especially those that are training four or more times per week, overuse of muscles may lead to not only pain and injury but also a decrease in ability of muscles to grow and perform at their true potential. That’s right, overtraining can be just as bad for you as not training enough. If you want to perform to your true potential then read on.

The Secret to Improved Workouts

So what’s the best way to get the most out of all the hard work you put in to your training? It’s simple and in fact you probably already know the answer - all you need to really do is increase blood flow. Yes, blood flow is the key. This needs to be the focus for anyone that trains more than four times per week. Sounds too easy right? What’s even better is that there is a number of ways to achieve this. Anyone can get on the right path by using heat packs, saunas and avoiding cold environments (yes, avoid cold – I’ll explain that shortly) but by far the best way to increase blood flow to muscles is by stimulating the muscles with acupuncture. As we can see by the James Harrison photos the acupuncture used is aimed at every major muscle of the body. Acupuncture, in this sense, can be used in three ways – Pre-Workout, Post Workout and Injury Recovery. Keep reading and I’ll discuss these differences shortly.

So How Does It Work?

Performance Acupuncture works because it hijacks the body’s own natural response to trauma by creating micro trauma that in turn signals the body to increase blood flow to that particular region. The body’s own natural reaction to trauma is to increase blood flow to the site allowing the supply of oxygen and nutrient rich blood to carry out any repairs needed and to optimise healing in the area. The micro trauma created by an acupuncture needle is insignificant, in that no real damage occurs, but the signal is strong enough to stimulate the body’s innate response and therefore increase blood flow to the area. It seems too easy that all you need to do is stimulate blood flow is stick a few needles in – well, there is a bit more to it than that. I’ll explain the other half of the equation shortly but first another system has been overlooked. So what about the forgotten component of the circulatory system? That’s the lymphatic system Unfortunately, it is often forgotten about but its importance is on par with that of blood vessels and blood supply. The lymphatics are coming up next!

Never Forget Your Lymphatics

So with all the talk about muscles and blood flow it’s easy to forget about the other major player in the cycle of strain, recovery and growth. And that’s the lymphatic system. It’s an important player but very often forgotten. Yes, the arteries bring in fresh blood laden with oxygen and nutrients, the veins take away blood that’s had its oxygen and nutrients extracted but what takes away waste products? This is where the lymphatic system comes in to play.

When in good working order the lymphatic system takes away waste products and also plays an important role in the immune system. A sluggish lymphatic system means waste products are going to hang around where they’re not wanted and the immune system can also be compromised. Stiffness, soreness, lack of energy and frequent colds and flus can be signs of a less than optimal lymphatic performance. Lactic acid is just one of the waste products taken away by the lymphatic system – the longer it hangs around the longer muscles are going to be stiff and sore. It’s time to stop suffering from a sluggish lymphatic system do something about it. And it’s not just about acupuncture, the other game changer for your lymphatics is cupping. This will be covered shortly.

Break The Cycle

For anyone that is hitting the gym more than four or five times a week you’d know that in the process of building muscle mass, improving tone and increasing muscle strength, tired muscles, sore muscles and injury are all part of the process. This cycle means the next time you’re hitting the gym you’re already sore, tired and even injured. Acupuncture can help break the cycle, decreasing post muscle soreness and fatigue by simply increasing blood flow. The better the blood flow the healthier the muscle tissue is!

But that’s not all, post workout treatments can be just as important as pre workout treatments. It all depends on what sort of training you’re undertaking and how your body responds. Athletes really listen to their bodies. You know what feels right and what feels wrong. Being in tune with how you feel means you can choose what your body really needs in order to advance in your fitness regime, increasing muscle bulk or shaping and toning muscles.

Pre Workout Treatment

So you’ve been hitting the gym for a while and your goals are set. You know where you want to be but you’ve hit a stopping point – you’re pushing through too much pain during each workout and you’re now at the risk of doing some damage, becoming injured or even giving up because it’s just all too hard. Pre workout treatments relax muscles prior to treatments allowing them to access improved blood flow. Makes sense right?

Relaxed muscles have better blood flow! If you don’t believe me do this simple test: Hold your two hands up in front of your chest. Hold one in a tight fist and keep the other relaxed. Hold one hand in a fist for a good 30 seconds. Now ask yourself which hand has better blood flow? It can only be the relaxed hand. This is because relaxed muscles have better blood flow than tight muscles. Muscles that have better blood flow are going to work more effectively and take on a greater workload without the same risk of injury that muscles preloaded with tension have. Now read on.

We know that acupuncture helps muscles to relax so it makes sense that having an acupuncture session prior to your next workout is going to allow your body to perform better and at the same time lower your risk of injury. No, the risk of injury cannot be eliminated completely as too many factors are at play but by softening muscles and improving blood flow your workouts will be more enjoyable and less like hard work. The results will speak for themselves.

Post Workout Acupuncture

Exhaustion, pain, mental fatigue and emotional strain can all result from following a high frequency and/or high intensity workout regime. Every athlete knows that after years of training it doesn’t get an easier. If anything it gets tougher.

If you’re ready to drop after your workout sessions or post workout fatigue is stopping you from doing other activities you enjoy then your recovery phase needs to be improved. Acupuncture treatment following a workout out gets muscles to relax and puts them in a state where blood flow improves and lymphatics take away waste products faster. Most people having acupuncture describe a deep sense of relaxation occurring during a treatment allowing the mind to calm and become focussed. Keep reading to find out about the importance of a calm mind, emotional balance and why it’s something that every athlete needs.

Watch Out For That Cliff!

So what happens when you do get injured? Muscles tear, tendons rip and ligaments are strained. Unfortunately, if more weight is pushed than soft tissue can handle it will become injured. Soft tissue injury usually takes 6-12 weeks to repair, depending the location, type of tissue and then level of strain that has occurred. Imagine a car rolling very slowing towards the edge of a cliff. Once the edge is reached there’s only one way to go and that is down. Your muscles, tendons and ligaments are just like this car, as they slowly become tighter and lack their natural suppleness they are just like the car getting too close to the edge. When they finally fall off the edge is when injury occurs; injury becomes unavoidable.

So what’s the answer? Stay away from the edge of the cliff! If you train hard you need to keep muscles, tendons and ligaments as far away from injury as possible. The only way to do this is to ensure they retain suppleness. Suppleness or softness of muscles, tendons and ligaments allows for greater stress loading compared to soft tissue that is already stressed. This is why recovery time is important for proper soft tissue recovery but what’s equally important is seeking the right treatment to ensure muscles, tendons and ligaments are ready to take on load again by the time it gets to your next workout. Every time you go into a workout with preloaded tension in soft tissue it’s just like that car rolling towards the edge of the cliff. Sooner or later that car is going to take a dive straight over the edge.

So You’re Injured

This can potentially be a massive set back. Even a simple injury can set back your progress by weeks or months. It could mean you miss goals, targets and even mean that you need to drop out of upcoming events. When you’re injured the answer is higher frequency care. By increasing blood flow and decreasing inflammation, recovery time may be reduced. Avoiding aggravating factors and creating a new regime will also be necessary but high frequency acupuncture needs to be added into this new regime so that the injured area is stimulated in the right way. This can mean seeking treatment 3-5 times every week until the area has full function and is pain free. And please, forget the ice! This is controversial but ice is out. Read on to find out why ice is not going to help healing.

Blood – Food For Your Muscles

Not only is good blood flow important for the health and function of soft tissue but the actual quality of the blood is equally important. If the nutrition isn’t available for muscles, tendons and ligaments then how can they function at their best? It’s a bit like choosing between petrol containing 91 octane and petrol containing 98 octane. The higher the octane the better it is for your engine. In this same way, high quality food is key. Selecting foods that are in season, grown close to home and grown without toxic insecticides makes for the best diet to create high quality blood.

Once the selection of food is corrected the processing and delivery systems must also be at their best. The processing system is your digestion. The breaking down of whole foods and extraction of nutrients is the next key to ensuring the blood is high quality. Any signs of bloating, distension after eating, heartburn or irregular bowel movements are indicators that the processing and extraction of food is not up to scratch. Using Chinese medicine the function of internal organs may also be improved. Using specific herbal formulas and the right acupuncture points allow this part of food processing to also be at its optimum function

Internal Organs

So we now know how Chinese medicine helps to improve blood quality by improving digestion itself. There is a whole other article that deals with which foods to eat and why. You’ll have to wait until next time for that one.

Bringing the focus back to internal organs I want to explain the two other major systems that have a strong influence on blood quality. The Lungs and The Kidneys.

Lung Health

The Lungs are an obvious choice, as we all know it’s the role of the lungs to push oxygen into the blood. The better our lungs function the more oxygen in our blood being delivered to the soft tissue of the body. Therefore the more work they can do. Anyone that has a disruption of the Lung system including symptoms of childhood asthma, hay fever, sinusitis or frequent colds and flu need to have the Lung system strengthened. According to Chinese medicine there are certain points on the body that can improve Lung system function and therefore eliminating a potential weakness that affects your workouts and overall progress.

Incredibly, it was recently discovered that the Lungs also play a role in blood production. This is very recent and new knowledge regarding the function of lungs and gives yet another reason why they should be the focus of treatment.

Kidney System

The last organ system to cover is the Kidneys. The Kidneys are important in Chinese medicine, as they are the foundation of everything else. You can think the of the Kidney system as your back up batteries for life. Once weakened, everything else physiologically, psychologically and emotionally speaking, can be effected. Sore knees, weak lower back, poor memory, clouded thinking, exhaustion and general lethargy can all point towards a Kidney system weakness. Again by accessing the right points acupuncture may help to restore function of the Kidney system and therefore restore the supporting foundations of the rest of the system.

Cupping Or Acupuncture

If you’re trying to choose between having a cupping or acupuncture treatment, forget it. These two approaches work hand in hand. Cupping and acupuncture support each other and give greater results than either one by itself. There’s no question about it cupping should be used first to loosen and stretch the skin, fascia and underlying soft tissue. This gets the process started and encourages improved blood flow into the local area.

Yes, the cups can cause bruising, but if muscles are healthy and blood flow is normal then no bruising should occur. That’s right bruising that occurs with cupping only shows in the muscles that have been overworked. Ideally cupping should not produced dark bruising at all. A light redness is acceptable but any dark bruising indicates the area needs more treatment. Ideally the area should be cupped until not more bruising occurs. Once bruising no longer occurs during a cupping session you can be confident that blood flow through the area is how it should be. So long as there is bruising it is considered that blood flow is poor. And we know what poor blood flow means right – lack of nourishment to the muscles, tendons and ligaments. And these are the guys you want to keep strong. So look after them - go and get cupped!

Mindset – Clarity, Perseverance, Determination

So you now know about acupuncture, blood flow, blood quality, the importance of the internal organs and cupping - but what about the mind? What about attitude, clarity of thought, perseverance and determination? The mind is an aspect of the self that can either improve your performance or stop it dead in its tracks. There’s a lot of talk about mindfulness training at the moment. It seems to be being used by everyone for everything. So what’s so good about it? Speaking from first hand experience Mindfulness meditation calms the mind. Again, this one sounds so simple and in truth it can be.

A calm mind allows for clarity of thought, improved focus, better decision making and above all can improve perseverance and determination. I first studied Mindfulness meditation in Nepal and India in the 1990s and continued instruction in the UK before returning to Australia to find more teachers. I have now been practising Mindfulness meditation for nearly 20 years and if you do nothing else this is really something. I encourage Mindfulness meditation during every acupuncture treatment to ensure the treatment is not only benefitting the physical level. If the mind is stressed then the body will also be full of stress. Stress in the body can also cause stress in the mind. Each one affects the other.

Say No To Ice

Now this is pretty controversial but it is catching on. I just had to include something about ice because the tide really is turning. Put simply – ice will not hasten recovery from injury. Recent research papers are available that back up this claim, even the bloke that coined the term RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevate), Gabe Mirkin, agrees that using ice on an injury can actually increase the healing time. Check out what Gabe has to say here: Why Ice Delays Recovery

In Chinese medicine, we’ve always said no to ice and it’s really simple to see why. Cold constricts blood vessels and constricted blood vessels means less blood flow. And less blood flow means less of everything that you muscles, tendons and ligaments need to grow, repair and remain healthy.

Next time someone suggests using an ice pack or taking an ice bath remind them that ice constricts blood flow and starves your body of what it needs most. When it comes to inflammation, this is the body’s own natural approach to injury – who are we to mess with nature? Our body survives by keeping itself warm; warmth helps dilate blood vessels and encourages blood flow. The better the circulation the faster healing occurs.

So there is one time in which ice may be used. And this is when a part of the body, perhaps through injury, is so painful you just want to numb the area in order to feel more comfortable. Even this should only be done for around 10 minutes at a time and only in the first 48 hours of injury.

Where To Now?

I’ve been working with various trainers, athletes, bodybuilders and fitness fanatics for years now and once the benefits of Chinese medicine are realised these guys rarely miss a session. Working with athletes also brings rewards as I get to see their progression and achievements as they meet and even surpass their goals. If I have one piece of advice for all athletes whether you are a marathon runner, pro bodybuilder, arm wrester or gymnast – go and find yourself a Chinese medicine doctor and get some acupuncture! If you need any more information about “Performance Acupuncture” then get in touch. Find out what suits you as an individual and keep doing what you love.

Enjoy!

Commonly used in Chinese medicine, Barley is believed to strengthen the digestion, clear heat and control blood sugar levels. In terms of nutrition, Barley is a great source of dietary fibre. It is also high in selenium and acts as an important antioxidant. Barley may help lower cholesterol and improve colon health. It can be easily added to the diet by drinking barley tea.

Barley can be purchased in teabag form from most Asian grocery stores and soaked in room temperature water for an hour or two and then consumed. Alternatively, you can purchase barley grain from the supermarket and prepare it in the following way.

Take 2 tablespoons of pearl barley grain and place in a frying panDry fry the grains on medium heat until they change colour (dark brown) and become fragrant, stirring frequently (5-10 minutes)Place roasted pearl barley in a pot with 8 cups of waterSimmer on low heat for 20 minutesAllow to cool

Drink your barley tea at room temperature, warm or hot.

Drinking 500ml – 2lt/day is recommended

Bursitis is a condition that can affect a number of different areas of the body. A ‘bursa’ is basically a fluid filled sac, located between a tendon and a bone. Its function is to decrease friction during normal movement and activity so that a tendon does not rub directly on to the bone. When a bursa becomes injured and inflamed it causes pain resulting in bursitis. It is quite common to have bursitis of the hip, shoulder, elbow and knee. Injury to a bursa is usually due to overuse, repetitive activities or direct injury through the impact of a fall for instance.

Unfortunately, bursitis can cause pain and swelling for a very long time and is often a chronic condition. If you have been diagnosed with bursitis the following recommendations should be considered:

Avoid activities that aggravate the problemRest the injured areaApply warmth to the area to encourage blood and lymphatic flow

In addition to these recommendations you can also seek professional treatment that may help shorten the duration of bursitis or help you maintain normal activity while the bursa is healing.

Acupuncture may help decrease the signs and symptoms of bursitis as it may help to decrease localised inflammation and decrease pain. A specialised form of acupuncture called ‘electro-acupuncture’ is often used for during treatment. Electro-acupuncture is just like standard acupuncture except a special device is used to stimulate the needles with a mild electrical current. This is very similar to using a TENS machine, which is often used by physiotherapists.

These treatments can be carried out once to three times a week depending on the severity of pain and discomfort the bursitis is causing. As pain and discomfort decrease so does the treatment frequency. Sometimes other recommendation are also made such as the use of herbal patches and Chinese herbal liniments are also recommended.

If you have been diagnosed with bursitis you may want to check to see if acupuncture is right for you.

Symptoms of a knee problem may include: pain, swelling, redness, locking and clicking and not being able to straighten your knee properly. If the problem is not properly addressed, a simple knee problem, can lead to long term discomfort and can even start to affect adjacent areas such as the hips and ankles.

There is a long history of managing the signs and symptoms of physical ailments withChinese medicine and acupuncture for knee pain is no different. In more recent times research shows acupuncture to be effective in helping the signs and symptoms of knee problems (1).

Knee pain can occur for a variety of reasons but the most common we see here in the clinic are trauma, osteoarthritis, Osgood-Schlatter syndrome, chondromalacia, patella tendonitis and ligament strain. Knee pain from an unknown cause is also common.

Treatment usually involves acupuncture at least twice a week. This higher frequency treatment regime is recommended as it is difficult to rest the knees properly. The simple act of walking and general use of the legs can be a contributing factor preventing improvement.

If you have questions about acupuncture for knee pain please contact me. There is usually no strong stimulation of needles necessary and most patient find the treatments very comfortable.

1 -http://rheumatology.oxfordjournals.org/content/46/3/384.short

Anxiety disorders affect over 1.3 million Australians. It can affect anyone at any age and can range from mild to severely debilitating.

When we talk about anxiety it can mean different things to different people. It can mean uncontrollable feelings of uneasiness and excessive worrying or true physical experiences such as tightness in the chest, racing heart and hot/cold flushes. The common denominator is that what you are feeling is out of your control and that can, unfortunately, lead to an increase in these symptoms. A vicious cycle that can start and stop without warning.

Tracking down the root cause of anxiety can be tricky, if not impossible. It may rear its head for no apparent reason or it may be associated with stressful times, a one off traumatic event or undue pressure over a long period of time. Western medicine may prescribe pills and counselling for anxiety sufferers but there is another approach.

Chinese medicine may be helpful to people suffering with symptoms of anxiety by taking a different approach. The Chinese medicine model views the body and mind as a dynamic network in which every part has an influence on every other part. When part of the system becomes too weak or fails to do its job effectively other areas can also be affected. So we track down each of these areas that have been weakened then strengthen them. And by finding those areas that have become impeded or blocked our aim is to restore function. This in turn clears other problems such as the symptoms of stress and anxiety.

Acupuncture and herbal formulas may relieve the signs and symptoms associated with stress and anxiety but sometimes other techniques are also used such as cupping, gua sha and moxibustion. As each individual is unique so is the treatment used.

If you are interested in finding out more about how Chinese medicine may help ease the signs and symptoms of stress and anxiety book in for your first appointment today.

If you've never tried dandelion tea before promise me you will because it is definitely one of the best teas you can take for your health. Dandelion is known as Pu Gong Ying in Chinese medicine. It has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for hundreds of years and still extremely popular today.

As a herb, we catergorise dandelion in the Clear Heat and Release Toxins group. This means it may help ease the signs and symptoms associated with inflammation or infection in the body and therefore may help you get better faster from a number of diseases and ailments.

As it mostly acts on the Liver and the Stomach it may be helpful with the signs and symptoms of digestive organ related problems such as gastritis, IBS, Chrohn's disease and reflux, but also ailments such as acne, urinary tract and bladder infection, psoriasis and gout can also benefit.

I must admit dandelion tea is a dark looking and reasonably bitter herbal tea which is off putting to many people but if at first you find the taste unpleasant I would encourage you to try it at least three times and you will find the flavour improves each time. The flavour tends to grow on you but you may find it's sometimes necessary to adjust the strength of the tea to make it more pleasant. Starting with a weaker strength tea you may increase the strength over a period of 2-4 weeks.

Dandelion tea is available at all good health food stores and most supermarkets. It can usually be found in many forms incuding plain dried and chopped root, freeze dried dissolvable granules, dry powder and teabag forms. It can also be found suitable for a stove top percolator.

If you have any questions about dandelion tea or just want to know more then be sure to ask your Chinese medicine practitioner. I'm sure they'll be happy to know you are interested.

So the challenge is to swap your morning coffee for dandelion tea. Can you do it? You will be glad you did.

Enjoy!

Dr Ben

Qi Gong (pronounced 'chee gong') has been growing in popularity recently as more and more people become dissatisfied with their gym workouts, yoga practice and Pilates classes. If you’re looking for something new to try then this is definitely for you. People of all ages can benefit from Qi Gong from children right through to the elderly.

The best part about Qi Gong is that anybody can do it and the benefits are truly incredible! I’ve been practising on a regular basis since 2002 and it’s definitely my favourite type of exercise.

When we talk about Qi Gong we are referring to either a series of movements, a stationary posture or a meditation that people are encouraged to do on a regular basis to improve their health. People will generally go to classes and also practice at home for a few minutes each day.

My preferred translation of Qi Gong is ‘working with your Qi, and mastering it over a long period of time’. Through daily practice the results are accumulative in that the more you do the greater the benefits. Through repetition each and every movement is slowly refined until they are perfected and the body movements become aligned with the breath.

There are hundreds of different types of Qi Gong and many of them come under the Tai Chi banner but there are also many more such as Eight Brocade Qi Gong, 18 Lohan Hands Qi Gong, Five Element Qi Gong and Five Animal Qi Gong to name just a few popular ones.

Many Chinese Medicine practitioners will teach their patients Qi Gong to improve their health but there are also classes available in most local areas that I would encourage everyone to seek out to give it a go.

Below are a few links that I would encourage you to check out so you can find out more information about what Qi Gong is, the benefits of Qi Gong and where to go to get started.

What is Qi Gong?

Benefits of Qi Gong

Qi Gong in Australia (Melbourne)

Eating the right foods is seen as an incredibly important part of Chinese medicine. Unfortunately, it is often overlooked and often forgotten. Knowing what foods are right for you, as an individual, and those you should avoid will allow you to live a longer, healthier and happier life.

The Chinese medicine approach to food is unlike any system of dieting you may have encountered. But as it is customised to suit the individual I believe it is the best system of eating available. By taking into consideration your constitutional make up and current health concerns food choices can be made that strengthen those weakened areas, guard against disease and encourage longevity.

Foods are classified according to many factors. We classify them according to their taste, their heating or cooling effect, the effect that have on Qi, Blood, Body Fluids and Essence and also the meridians they influence the most.

A simple way to illustrate the understanding of food properties in Chinese medicine is to look at chillies and watermelon. It is fairly obvious, which is heating and which is cooling, right? Correct! Chilli is heating and watermelon is cooling. In a similar way cinnamon and ginger are also heating and cucumber and apples are cooling. These examples simplify the extent of understanding we have when it comes to food in Chinese medicine but they are easy examples that most people would understand some logic behind.

Here are a few more examples explained in more detail:

Beef: Sweet flavour. Neutral in nature. Pertain to the Spleen and Stomach meridians. Great for poor appetite, general weakness, oedema and fatigue.

Bananas: Sweet flavour. Cooling in nature. Pertain to the Stomach and Large Intestine meridians. Promote Body Fluid production, Nourish the Yin and moisten Dryness. Great for dry throat and thirst due to heat in the body and constipation due to dryness.

Cherries: Sweet and Sour flavour. Warm in nature. Pertain to the Spleen and Liver meridians. Strengthen the Spleen, Stomach, Liver and Kidneys. Great for fatigue, low appetite, pain in the waist and knees and gout.

Mushrooms: Sweet flavour. Slightly Cold in nature. Pertain to the Spleen, Stomach and Lung meridians. Mushrooms strengthen Qi, moisten Dryness and clear Phlegm. Great for coughing with shortness of breath, general fatigue and lack of milk in breastfeeding women.

Black Sesame Seeds: Sweet flavour and Neutral in nature. Pertain to the Liver, Kidney and Large Intestine meridians. Black sesame seeds strengthen the Liver and Kidneys, replenish the Essence and moisten Dryness in the intestines. Great for early greying of the hair, dizziness, tinnitus, weakness in the back and sore knees.

These are just a few examples but what’s important to keep in mind is that every single thing you eat has a different effect on your system as a whole. If you naturally feel hot all the time then Cooling foods will be recommended whereas if you always feel cold then Warming foods are best. The right food choices can really make a world of difference.

Food as medicine is an important approach and you should ask your Chinese medicine practitioner what you should and shouldn’t be eating. Most of the foods are common and sometimes you will find that some special Chinese foods or herbs are also recommended. It’s always best to get expert advice to make sure your diet consists of the foods that are right for you.

For more information check out the following links:

http://acupuncture.rhizome.net.nz/ (look for the dietary info at the bottom of the page)

Enjoy!

Dr Ben

Citrus peel tea (called Chen Pi in Chinese) has been used in China for hundreds of years for its health benefits. The main reasons I recommend Chen Pi are for excess phlegm and mucous in the nasal sinuses and/or lungs, digestive disturbance and weak digestion.

Citrus Peel Tea may help with the signs and symptoms associated with the following problems:

Abdominal distensionExcessive belchingWeak digestionNauseaVomitingBronchitisChronic coughSinusitisAllergiesFood intolerances

In Chinese medicine, Citrus peel regulates Qi of the Spleen and Stomach, moves Qi blockage in the abdomen, clears Dampness from the abdomen and clears phlegm from the lungs. Citrus peel is referred to as Chen Pi in Chinese and is usually made from tangerine peel, mandarin peel or orange peel. Tangerine peel is considered the stronger of the three but mandarin peel is most commonly used since it is readily available.

There are a number of ways in which Chen Pi can be obtained. You can make it yourself at home, you can purchase it at a Chinese grocery store or you can buy it in a processed form similar to a supplement from a health food shop.

If making your own Chen Pi it is best to buy a whole bag of mandarins to make a large batch at once. Take your washed peels and scrape most of the white pith away with a spoon. Place them on a wire rack and leave for a few days in a warm room. You can then leave the peels in large broken pieces or cut into thin slices for faster drying if you prefer. Once completely dried they should be stored in an airtight container in a cool dry place. Some people dry the peels using an oven on a very low temperature which is also okay. The peels tend to shrink and darken once dried. In Chinese medicine, we consider the older dried peels to be more potent than the fresh ones.

To make Chen Pi tea take about a 1/4 to 1/2 a dried mandarin peel and place it in a mug of boiled water. Let it sit for 10 - 15 minutes before drinking. It can be taken 10 minutes before each meal to improve and stregthen digestion or taken three times per day to clear mucous and phlegm from the sinuses and lungs.

To make much stronger Chen Pi 3 - 4 whole peels can be placed in a saucepan with 2 litres of water. Simmer until half the water is left (do not boil). Once cool enough it can be taken 100-200mls a few times each day.

Enjoy!

Chrysanthemum, or 'Ju Hua' in Chinese, is commonly used in Chinese herbal remedies. This flower is believed to clear heat out of the body, to release toxins and balance the Liver Qi. It is often found in formulas that help relieve signs and symptoms associated with colds and flu and in formulas that help with hot flushes, dizziness and vertigo. Chrysanthemum also makes a great cup of tea.

Bone broth soup is one of the healthiest meals you can eat this winter. Full of great nourishment for the whole body it's well worth making up a batch, freezing it and using it for soups all winter long.

I found this great recipe here -

I enjoy broth based soups at least 3-4 times a week during the winter. It helps warm the body, provide nourishment and tastes great. Have a go at making some and realise the benefits.

Traditional Chinese Medicine treats people not only according to their current complaints but also according to the time of year. In this way weaknesses can be strengthened before problems actually arise and now being the end of autumn is the perfect time to strengthen the lung and kidney systems for the coming winter.

Think of treatment as a way of building the immune system before you actually get sick. I usually use a combination of acupuncture treatments and some herbal capsules to achieve this for patients.

This preventative approach to health is especially good for people that suffer from asthma, hayfever, allergies, sinusitis and chronic lung conditions as these conditions show there is already some weakness in the lung system and you are therefore considered more likely to suffer with colds and flu in the winter. You may also benefit from less symptoms of hayfever and allergies in the spring by starting now.

There are also simple things you can do for yourself that will help you prevent colds and flu from taking hold:

Increasing hand washing with plain soap is especially useful for people that catch public transport and/or work in a busy office environmentA combination of a slice of fresh ginger with a teaspoon of brown sugar in hot water taken after coming in from the cold or after being caught in the rain can offset a head coldKeep the neck covered with a scarf before you feel like you need itDon’t be in denial – with the onset of any cold symptoms change your diet and have a few bowls of brothy soup to help support your systemTaking up tai chi is not only relaxing but great for strengthening the whole system

Take care of yourself now and reap the benefits later.

Enjoy!

Dr Ben

Goji berries, also called wolfberries or gou qi zi, have been used in Chinese Medicine and Chinese cooking as the number one herb for women for thousands of years. According to Chinese Medicine theory these little red, sultana looking, berries are said to nourish the Yin, help strengthen the Kidneys, Liver and are great for the eyes, immune system and should be consumed daily.

All pregnant women, those that have recently given birth and those moving towards menopause should make sure they are having a cup of goji berry tea daily. These berries are packed with antioxidants and are also believed to have an anti-aging effect.

Enjoy some goji berries today.

Many people tend to think that acupuncture is just for the treatment of pain but nothing could be further from the truth. Although acupuncture is a valid treatment option for pain the actual scope for acupuncture and Chinese Medicine is much broader than you may realise.

You may find it strange that during an initial consultation I will ask questions regarding how well you sleep, what your diet is like and even if you tend to feel hot or cold, then I’ll take your pulse and look at your tongue. All this information allows me to build up a complete picture of your overall health and identify what we call ‘patterns of disharmony’. This allows me to treat your whole system no matter what the problems are.

People often seek out acupuncture therapy for many issues related to pregnancy, fertility, illness recovery, digestive disorders, anxiety, chronic chest infections, pneumonia, sinusitis and stress related problems (to name just a few). I’m always really pleased when someone receives treatment for back pain or a sore shoulder but along the way finds that other problems are also improving.

If you’re experiencing a health concern that is not yet well addressed, then perhaps it is time to try acupuncture. And if you’re not sure, I’m always happy to have a quick chat regarding your concerns or just ask reception if acupuncture could suit you..

Look out for my next blog entry where I will talk about the use of Chinese Medicine to maintain good health.

Enjoy!

Dr Ben

Well, it’s summer time and this is the time of year when I get to see lots of people that have suffered injury from sports of exercise related accidents.

To help you recover faster you too may consider an Acupuncture treatment schedule.

In general, we see that Acupuncture for injury may help in many different ways.

These include: • Decrease inflammation • Decrease swelling • Decrease localised pain • Decrease excessive scar tissue • Aid healing through improved circulation • Restore movement and function when recovery is lagging

I often use acupuncture in combination with herbal based liniments, herbal patches, heat therapy and herbal formulas to get you back to full function as soon as possible. Other therapies such as massage and chiropractic are recommended when necessary as are any exercises for you to do at home.

Once recovered keep in mind there may be future treatments necessary to help break down scar tissue and keep previously injured areas working as they should.

Remember – prevention is better than cure, so take it easy out there. Try not to over do it and know when to stop but most importantly – Enjoy summer!

Dr Ben

Acupuncture is a well regarded therapeutic approach to health. Check out the video to see what happens in a normal acupuncture treatment.