Periods, monthlies, on the rag, girl flu, that time of the month, red tide, moon time, a visit from Auntie Flo… So many different names for one thing that most every woman will experience at some point during her lifetime. That’s right, menstruation! I’ve never heard anyone say it’s their favourite time of the month, […]
WHAT DOES ACUPUNCTURE DO? At some stage of treatment, usually during the first one or two sessions, people tend to get interested. They start asking a bunch of questions, usually something along the lines of “What does acupuncture do?”, or “How does acupuncture work?”. What they are asking about is what we call acupuncture mechanisms. […]
ACUPUNCTURE GONE WRONG: ADVERSE EFFECTS People can get a bit freaked out by the thought of acupuncture. I get it. It’s needles, right? From back when we were kids getting vaccinated right through to giving blood as an adult, nobody likes it. Even though it’s totally different, those feelings remain for a lot of people. […]
COSMETIC ACUPUNCTURE Something I am asked about fairly often – particularly more recently – is cosmetic acupuncture. This is an umbrella term for the use of acupuncture to treat things like scarring, acne, or anything to do with the physical appearance. Recently the term is particularly used for cosmetic acupuncture treatments targeting the face. Are […]
Acupuncture for Depression NOTE: Before we get to talking about acupuncture for depression, there’s a few serious bits. Firstly, if you are experiencing any thoughts of self-harm or suicide call Lifeline on 131114. I also want to be clear that ceasing anti-depressant medication is a big step and you should first discuss it with your […]
Acupuncture for IVF The drive to reproduce is one of the strongest. Unfortunately, its not always a simple thing to achieve. Infertility or difficulty conceiving can be heart breaking for people attempting to have children. For some people the cause of infertility is best treated through assisted reproductive techniques. One of the most commonly […]
I’m a pretty keen trail-runner. It’s one of my favourite ways to unwind. I also live in the Blue Mountains, where it’s a pretty popular thing to do, so there’s plenty of like-minded people. I mean, who wouldn’t want to run oodles of kilometres on rough terrain where there’s no such thing as flat ground, […]
Sometimes people ask me if acupuncture is the same as dry needling. There is some debate about the two practices within the professional community, and the obvious similarities between them make for an understandable amount of confusion. With that in mind, I’ll try to answer the question: “What’s the difference between acupuncture vs dry needling?” […]
If you’ve ever experienced the extreme histrionics of a child who knows they’re going to the doctor’s office for a vaccination then you’ll know that it’s pretty normal for people to be anxious about needles. It’s not only children, either – plenty of people have a fear of needles, and it’s a common reason why […]
Being in pain sucks. Let’s face it: nobody likes hurting for any longer than they have to. Unfortunately for some chronic pain is an ongoing fact of life, with limited treatment options. Fear not, painful people! Maybe there’s another way – acupuncture for pain management. Chronic pain can be caused by many different things. Normal […]
For chronic sufferers sinusitis can be a nightmare to live with – feeling like somebody replaced your head with a brick – a pain-filled brick at that – and filled your nose with the slime made from that little green guy in Ghostbusters*. Happily, there’s no need to call in Bill Murray and the gang […]
Acne affects many people. Traumatically common in those oh-so self-conscious high school years, it sometimes affects older people too. There are a multitude of creams and lotions available for use, with varying degrees of effectiveness, but there is a safe, simple alternative – acupuncture for acne. Acne is a disorder of the hair follicle sebaceous […]
So, here we are, 9 months down the track. Everything has been going according to plan and we are ready for the beautiful new arrival. Bags are packed, nerves are high strung, the due date comes, then goes… Hang on, where’s the baby? It may not be something that many expectant parents think about, but […]
Acupuncture Points Acupuncture points are a major part of any acupuncture treatment. They are the places where acupuncture needles are inserted, or pressure applied during tui na (chinese massage), or heated using moxa. But what the heck are they? Why use those places? Well, let’s talk about that… According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory […]
So, you’re thinking about trying to conceive, or maybe you’re already trying; but you’re not too keen on trying fertility drugs or assisted reproduction techniques yet? That’s OK, there’s plenty of simple ways to naturally increase fertility. Let’s look at just a few options: Know when you’re most fertile: Tracking your menstrual cycle can help […]
With obesity becoming a more and more prevalent condition many people struggle to find ways to control their weight. Acupuncture may be useful in assisting weight loss or for other digestive problems. Acupuncture for weight loss tends to focus on the Spleen and Stomach – these two organs are seen as doing the majority of […]
Back pain is a common complaint, suffered by many people. Like most painful conditions, back pain can be debilitating to sufferers especially when chronic, having a negative impact on lifestyle and general well-being. Back pain is one of the most common reasons for people to seek treatment. Western medical treatment may include medication such as […]
Gua Sha is a technique using a smooth flat or gently curved instrument (like a Chinese soup spoon, for example) to scrape along the skin while pressing firmly into the muscle beneath, until the area becomes red and raised. Sounds a little unpleasant, but it’s really not. In biomedical terms, Gua Sha utilises subcutaneous fascia […]
Cupping is a manual therapy where a vacuum is created inside a small cup or jar using either flame (to burn the oxygen), or a manual pump. The cup is then applied to a fleshy area of the body, drawing in the tissue. The cups may be left in place or manipulated in different ways […]
Dane Couter
Acupuncturist, (B. Hlth Sci. TCM)