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ALLIED HEALTH - BYRON BAY SERVICES
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is part of traditional Chinese medicine
(TCM) and dates back thousands of years. It involves
inserting fine needles into specific points on the skin
or applying various other techniques to the acupuncture
points to bring about healing.
The foundation of Chinese acupuncture is the belief
in an energy force called Qi (pronounced 'chee'). This
energy, or life force, circulates around the body through
invisible channels called meridians. If the flow of
Qi in the meridians is disrupted, then disease may follow.
By inserting fine needles into particular acupuncture
points, the disruption can be corrected and the flow
of Qi restored. Whether or not you believe in the philosophy
of Qi makes no difference to the effects of acupuncture.
Scientific trials around the world have found that acupuncture
is a safe and useful treatment for many different disorders.
Yin and Yang
The ancient Chinese proposed that a balance of two opposing
yet complementary forces of energy, called Yin and Yang,
sustain every living thing. Half the body's organs and
meridians are defined as Yin in relation to the other
half, which are defined as Yang. When Yin and Yang are
out of balance in the body, disease may occur.
Research has found that acupuncture is effective in
treating a range of disorders. Some of these include:
• Digestive - colitis, constipation, diarrhoea,
gastritis, ulcer.
• Emotional - anxiety, depression.
• General - chronic fatigue syndrome, giving up
smoking, muscle injuries, obesity, stress management, tiredness, travel sickness.
• Gynaecological - heavy menstrual bleeding, painful periods, menopausal symptoms, pre-menstrual syndrome.
• Muscular-skeletal - back pain, osteoarthritis,
rheumatoid arthritis, tennis elbow, whiplash.
• Neurological - Bell's palsy, carpal tunnel syndrome,
headache, Meniere's disease, migraine, pain, paralysis,
shingles.
• Respiratory - asthma, bronchitis, common cold,
hayfever.
• Vascular - haemorrhoids, high blood pressure,
varicose veins.
Chinese Herbal Medicine
Chinese herbal medicine is part of a larger healing
system called Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which
also includes acupuncture, massage dietary advice and
exercise. TCM is a popular method of treatment, with
nearly three million Australians visiting TCM practitioners
every year.
The underlying principles of TCM are very different
from traditional Western notions about health, illness
and the workings of the body. Chinese herbs are prescribed
to normalise imbalanced energy, or Qi (pronounced 'chee'),
that runs through invisible meridians in the body. Whether
or not the philosophy is believed, studies have shown
Chinese herbal medicines to be successful in treating
a range of disorders, particularly gynaecological and
gastrointestinal disorders.
Chinese herbs are commonly used to treat disorders such
as:
• Digestive problems
• Eczema and psoriasis
• Fatigue
• Gynaecological disorders
• Hepatic (liver) disorders
• Cardiovascular disorders
• Stress
• Allergies and autoimmune disorders
Kinesiology
Kinesiology is a form of therapy that uses muscle testing
(bio-feedback) to look at imbalances that may be causing
disease in the body. Kinesiology is an art, a skill
that takes a number of years of study and diligent practise
to master. Its theory is partly based in the ancient
Chinese acupuncture theory of chi energy. Kinesiology
research shows that energy circuits or pathways, as
well as the nervous system, link all the systems and
tissues of the body.
Particular muscles are shown to be connected to certain
systems. A muscular change may represent an energy imbalance
in the corresponding collection of organs and tissues,
which may cause or contribute to disease and pain.
We can also identify food intolerances with Kinesiology
techniques. By using various non-invasive techniques,
energy blockages are removed and the body can restore
its natural healing abilities in order to attain optimum
health.
With Kinesiology, a person's health is determined by
their structural, nutritional or emotional/mental health
- collectively known as the 'triad of health'.
Kinesiology assists a wide range of physical, emotional,
mental and spiritual problems. The aim is to balance
the body's energies and encourage wellness, rather than
identify and treat symptoms or diagnose particular illnesses.
Bowen Therapy
Bowen is a remedial body technique that is gentle and
relaxing. It helps the body's own healing resources
to achieve balance and harmony, which can result in
lasting relief from pain and discomfort. Benefits may
be seen after the first session.
Integrated body response
Bowen therapy uses a vibrational energy, which makes
it safe to use on anyone from newborns to the elderly
for any complaint from sports injuries to chronic or
organic conditions. Bowen facilitates the balancing
of a range of conditions. It is a holistic treatment,
which aims to treat the whole person.
Bowen can help to improve:
• Circulation
• Lymphatic and venous draining
• Assimilation of nutrients
• Elimination of toxins
• Joint mobility
• Posture
• Normalisation of cellular physiology and tissue
integration
EYE MOVEMENT DESENSITIZATION AND REPROCESSING
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
is a scientifically validated integrative psychotherapy.
It is based on the philosophy that human beings are
capable under appropriate conditions of naturally moving
toward greater health and integration. EMDR is used
to resolve disturbing emotional material secondary to
traumatic or disturbing events, as well as a means of
creating positive emotional states, in order to facilitate
natural growth and healing processes.
In the broadest sense, EMDR is intended to alleviate
human suffering and assist individuals and human society
to fulfill their potential for development while minimizing
risks of harm in its application. For the client, the
aim of EMDR treatment is to achieve the most profound
and comprehensive treatment effects in the shortest
period of time, while maintaining client stability within
a balanced family and social system.
EMDR is an approach to psychotherapy that is comprised
of principles, procedures and protocols. It is not a
simple technique characterized primarily by the use
of eye movements, tapping or tones. EMDR is founded
on the premise that each person has both an innate tendency
to move toward health and wholeness, and the inner capacity
to achieve it.
Massage
Massage is perhaps one of the oldest healing traditions.
Many cultures - including the Ancient Greeks, Egyptians,
Chinese and Indians - were convinced of the therapeutic
properties of massage and used it to treat a variety
of ailments.
The skin is the largest organ of the human body and
is packed with nerve endings. Massage works by soothing
soft tissue and encouraging relaxation. Massage is
especially effective in treating 'vicious cycle' complaints.
For instance, a tension headache is often self-sustaining
because the pain makes the sufferer clench the affected
muscles even harder. This, in turn, creates more pain.
A thorough neck and shoulder massage can release muscle
tension and break the pain cycle.
Modern studies have shown that massage can be used
to successfully treat a variety of disorders, including:
• Anxiety
• Arthritis
• Back pain
• Chronic pain
• Constipation
• Depression
• Headache
• High blood pressure
• Insomnia.
• Deep relaxation
One of the immediate benefits of massage is a feeling
of deep relaxation and calm. This occurs because massage
prompts the release of endorphins, the brain chemicals
(neurotransmitters) that produce feelings of wellbeing.
Levels of stress hormones - such as adrenalin, cortisol
and norepinephrine - are also reduced. Studies indicate
that high levels of stress hormones impair the immune
system.
Some of the physical benefits of massage include:
• Reduced muscle tension
• Improved circulation
• Stimulation of the lymphatic system
• Reduction of stress hormones
• Increased joint mobility and flexibility
• Improved skin tone
• Speedier healing of soft tissue injuries
• Heightened mental alertness
• Reduced anxiety and depression.
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