ACUPUNCTURE TO REDUCE PAIN

Acupuncture is a complementary health technique in which trained practitioners insert needles in specific points of the body to stimulate the flow of energy or chi. Acupuncture treatment is relatively pain-free which can be used to help in the treatment of margarine, depression, insomnia and chronic pains. The therapy corrects imbalances of energy in the body. The process includes stimulating acupuncture points with needles (acupuncture), pressure(acupressure) electricity (electroacupuncture) or heat. The acupuncture points are regions containing a rich supply of nerve endings to stimulate the energy for healing.

Traditional Chinese medicine recognises that a body is divided by a sense of meridians or channels into an orderly network, the lines form a longitudinal course around the body. The complex system of channels and their connecting vessels act as the distribution system that carries chi (energy), blood and body fluids around the body.

According to the traditional concepts, chi is the dynamic, vital energy present in all living things which flows through these channels regulating the body functions. The basic principle of acupuncture is that by stimulating points on the surface of the body, the effect occurs that is transmitted through the meridian and ultimately into the interior therefore by utilising the external surface or acupuncture points its possible to exert a direct therapeutic effect on the channels and organs and thus the internal body function.

Acupuncture is a therapy that some patients have found to be beneficial in reducing their related pain. It has been used many years to treat many ailments from chronic pains, anxiety, stress, depression and neurological diseases. The treatment helps to balance energy and improve the function of immune system and reduce pain.

To be eligible for accreditation one is required to have completed a course in acupuncture that is recognised by the Australian national therapists association. SITCM is proud to form competent professionals every year. For more information on Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Remedial Massage and more contact us today and make sure you come to visit us.

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HOW CAN CUPPING THERAPY HELP YOU?

Cupping therapy is an age-old tradition that dates back to ancient Chinese and Middle Eastern cultures. According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), cupping is a practice that creates a vacuum or suction on the patient’s skin and is believed to relieve the body of harmful substances, boost energy levels, improve blood flow, and promote healing. This form of alternative medicine continues to be used today to help with pain, inflammation, blood flow, relaxation, massage, and overall well-being.

How it’s Administered

A therapist places a flammable substance, such as herbs or paper, in a cup and sets it on fire. Cups can be made of a variety of materials, including glass, bamboo, and silicone, and can range in size. As the fire inside the cup goes out, the therapist places a cup on the patient’s skin, typically on his or her back, neck, or shoulders. The air inside the cup cools, creating a vacuum on the skin, suctioning the skin into the cup, and expanding blood vessels. Other therapists may use a pump to mechanically create a vacuum instead of fire.

Types of Cupping Therapy

There are a couple of different cupping methods: dry and wet.CUPPING THERAPY

Dry cupping solely involves suctioning. In wet cupping, therapy includes both suctioning and medicinal bleeding. A therapist will administer an initial round of mild cupping, subsequently use a small scalpel to make tiny cuts on the skin, and then administer a second round of cupping to draw out small quantities of blood. Wet cupping is believed to remove harmful and toxic substances from the body. Antibiotic ointments or bandages may be applied to prevent infection.

Benefits

The British Cupping Society advises that cupping therapy can be used to help many conditions:

  • Blood disorders
  • Rheumatic conditions
  • Fertility disorders
  • Skin problems
  • High blood pressure
  • Migraines
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Bronchial congestion
  • Varicose veins

In 2017, a study was conducted in Tehran to examine the influence cupping therapy had on the quality of life of healthy people. Participants were treated and examined by Traditional Persian Medicine specialists. A month after cupping therapy, 88% of participants reported an increase in quality of life and 89.9% reported no negative side effects.

Another 2011 review demonstrated that cupping therapy is an effective pain treatment.

Additionally, a 2012 study, published in PLoS One, involved Australian and Chinese researchers who reviewed 135 studies published from 1992 through 2010 on cupping and concluded that cupping, may be effective in helping those with the following diseases and conditions such as herpes zoster, acne, facial paralysis and cervical spondylosis. Especially when is combined with other treatments such as acupuncture.

No serious adverse effects were reported in the trials, although the study states that further trails on cupping therapy and its uses are warranted.

Side Effects or Risks

While cupping is generally safe when administered by a trained health professional, you may experience the following side effects: 

  • Mild discomfort
  • Burns
  • Bruises
  • Skin infection

Would you like to learn more about the practice of acupuncture and its benefits? Sydney Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine can help you find a qualified TCM practitioner and learn more about cupping and other TCM practices.

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THE BENEFITS OF ACUPUNCTURE FOR WOMEN

Acupuncture does not get talked about nearly enough of the useful health benefits it provides users. This might be due to the fact that a lot of medical professionals are not aware of the scientific research and data that supports the effectiveness of acupuncture. In any case, acupuncture can provide people with relief. In this piece we are going to explore some benefits of acupuncture for women.

Indigestion and Heartburn 

Scientists in Brazil, during a study dealing with pregnant women and heartburn, found that acupuncture decreased the level of intensity from heartburn and that these same women used fewer antacids for indigestion. In their test groups, nearly three-fourths of the women in the acupuncture group saw positive results. On the other hand, less than fifty percent of the women in the control group, who did not receive acupuncture and only got medicine and dietary counselling saw positive results in a reduction of heartburn and indigestion intensity. 

Period Aches and Pains

The benefits of acupuncture in relieving body aches and pains is documented thoroughly in the scientific community. The interesting thing about this is that researchers have found that even simulated acupuncture (this is where no needles get inserted into the body, but rather the same pressure points used in acupuncture are pressed with a toothpick or something similar) improved a patient’s aches and pains. 

Hormones Migraines 

Regular, unending headaches and migraines are uncomfortable. Research has shown that regular acupuncture therapy sessions can dull these uncomfortable migraines. The data comes from a comprehensive reading of  Thirty-two different studies about headaches and acupuncture benefits in relieving them. Studies show that acupuncture can help to relieve the pain of consistent headaches, as well as help, prevent future headaches caused by bodily tension and the hormones changing.  

Please contact us to learn more about the benefits of Traditional Chinese Medicine therapy for women and all people.

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THE BENEFITS OF TUI NA MASSAGE

While many people consider massages to be relaxing luxuries, in the world of traditional Chinese medicine, massage is used for its therapeutic properties just as often. One such type of massage is Tui Na, which, like acupuncture, aims to stimulate various channels within the body. By stimulating these areas using pressure, Tui Na attempts to harmonise the yin and yang.

What is Tui Na?

Translated literally, the term “Tui Na” actually means “to push or grasp.” This translation is indicative of the types of moves used a Tui Na practitioner during a therapeutic massage. As Tui Na focuses on targeting the body’s soft tissues, the client’s clothing can remain on during a session. The practitioner may use a combination of acupressure, kneading, rolling, and pinching as they target a specific muscle, group of muscles or tendons. The benefits of Tui Na can be felt almost immediately. 

When is Tui Na used?

Tui Na can be used to help in the treatment of a variety of conditions and a variety of settings. It is also often used in pediatric settings for children who are unable to receive acupuncture. Like most types of soft tissue manipulation, studies have shown that massage therapies such as Tui Na can help to reduce muscle pain as well as inflammation. Tui Na also allows for the focused targeting of specific areas of the body, which can be incredibly beneficial when it comes to patients with acute pain in their neck or back. Some studies have even concluded that Tui Na can be an effective form of intervention for children with anorexia.

After learning about the practice of Tui Na, are you interested in receiving a Tui Na from an experienced practitioner? If you are, SITCM’s Teaching Clinic offers Tui Na to patients looking to receive this type of therapy. Contact us today to learn more about Tui Na or to schedule your appointment.

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WHAT IS CUPPING THERAPY?

Better health means a better life

Those interested in alternative techniques to improve health those involving Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), for example may benefit from Cupping Therapy.

What is Cupping Therapy?

Cupping therapy involves placing cups on a patient’s skin to create a vacuum. This vacuum causes blood to come to the surface and to specific areas of the body that need healing. Alternative practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine believe cupping improves circulation, removes heat, and pulls out toxins that have accumulated in tissues.

Those being treated with cupping therapy feel a tight, yet relaxing and soothing, sensation in the area where the practitioner places the cup. Cupping therapy sometimes involves moving the cups around, They may be removed soon after placement or remain in place for long periods, depending on the treatment and the comfort level of the patient.

Cupping may cause the skin to turn red, blue, or purple temporarily, especially if the cup is placed in a location that has sustained an injury. This, however, is rarely painful and generally lasts just a few days. Once the discoloration subsides, treatment can resume.

Cupping Therapy and Traditional Chinese Medicine

According to the Federation of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture (FCMA), Chinese medicine has been practiced in Australia for more than a hundred years. TCM’s holistic approach to treating health issues includes chemical-free treatments with possibly low adverse effects, and the costs may be considerably less than other  practices.

TCM therapists often use cupping in conjunction with other traditional Chinese treatments, such as acupuncture and acupressure.

The Benefits of Cupping Therapy

Although not all modern medical practitioners have come around to the healing powers of cupping therapy and Traditional Chinese Medicine, expert TCM practitioners extol it’s power to help patients suffering from numerous ailments. Benefits include:

  • Improved blood flow and circulation to muscles and cells
  • Increased supply of oxygen to cells
  • The draining of excess fluids and toxins
  • Decreased muscle knots and tightness

Therapists perform the cupping procedures under sterile medical conditions and patients rarely feel major discomfort.

The Sydney Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine (SITCM) has been producing industry-ready practitioners in Traditional Chinese Medicine in Australia since 1984. Find out how they can help you learn the methods of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

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LOOKING AT AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE WITH WESTERN AND EASTERN MEDICINE

Living with an autoimmune disease can be very difficult. According to ASCIA (Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy), 1.15 million Australians suffer from autoimmune disorders and diseases, with women making up over 60% of the afflicted. In fact, autoimmune disease is among the top 10 leading causes of death amongst females in all age groups in first world countries.

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