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What is acne in Chinese Medicine?

Acne typically occurs for the first time in puberty when hormones are surging, however for many people it can be a life long affliction.  In addition to hormonal imbalances it can stem from diet, skin pathogens, hygiene, excess sebum production and even as a result of stress.

 

In Chinese Medicine the redness associated with pimples and pustular skin conditions is considered to be heat, the pus production is a form of ‘dampness’ and irritation is a type of toxin accumulation.

 

People who suffer from acne have often tried numerous remedies without a great deal of success and some even resort to ‘heavy duty’ pharmaceutical solutions.  For those who would prefer a more natural solution, Dr Mark Davis (TCM) has formulated a patent herbal tincture, which has been well received by acne sufferers.

 

Good results have been reported with whiteheads, cystic acne, as a result of coming off the pill, hormonal and even stubborn acne which has not responded to other treatments.

 

The formula consists of 13 all natural herbs which work from the inside out.  it is super cost effective and easy to take; it reduces the inflammation, calms the redness, and improves circulation to control localised irritation.

 

Each 200ml bottle is a one-month prescription, results are often visible during the first 3-4 weeks, however best results are usually reported by the end of the 2nd month.

Naturally gluten free, 100% animal product free and no testing on animals!

Not recommended to be taken while pregnant or in conjunction with blood thinning herbs.  No side effects should be expected, however this is general advice and you should discuss with your practitioner if you suffer from allergies.

 

Eastential Chinese Medicine, David Yao Chi Guan, Four Seasons Wellness Centre, Shinma Acupuncture, Acuuncture Abbotsford Convent, Abbotsford Medical & Acupuncture Centre

 

You might find the following articles also interesting reading:

Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture

Cosmetic Acupuncture

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Dry Needling Abbotsford

A common question is “Do you do dry Needling?” Absolutely yes we do!  Dry needling is a type of acupuncture which is rapidly gaining in popularity, it involves the insertion of a needles into tightly bound muscle fibres, trigger points or muscular knots which cause local and referred pain.

By manipulating the needle in a specific manner, Dry Needling can induce a twitch response which will desensitise the area, resolve pain and release to muscle fibres to restore natural blood circulation.

CAUTIONARY NOTE – There is a strange twist to Australian Law which requires Acupuncturists to hold a bachelor degree level qualification and be registered along side other health professionals such as psychologists, chiropractors, doctors, nurses etc,. yet body workers such as massage therapists can do a short course and qualify to use acupuncture needles for ‘dry needling!’

FINDING A PRACTITIONER YOU CAN TRUST!

Dry needling is clearly within the scope of an acupuncturist, most Acupuncturists spend between 4-5 years of study on acupuncture alone, plus numerous hours of professional development each year.  An Acupuncturist who has an interested in sports medicine should be your first choice for the proper resolution of trigger points.

Acupuncture is a holistic approach of mind and body; Dry Needling is a local needle treatment to address physical pain, a good Acupuncturist will safely and effectively incorporate both aspects of wellbeing into your treatment plan to create the best outcomes for your health.

HOW DOES IT DIFFER TO ACUPUNCTURE?

The term “trigger point” was coined by Dr. Janet Travell in the 1940s, the Chinese medical literature described the phenomena of tight bands muscle bands, tender knots within muscles that refer pain to distant locations, and needling as a treatment for the problem as early as the first century BCE.  Many experts and organizations, including the World Health Organization, classify dry needling as a sub-type of acupuncture.

WHAT CAUSES TRIGGER POINTS?

Trigger points, or muscular knots occur when a muscle is overloaded, either suddenly or chronically.  Most people have at least a few trigger points, given that so many common situations cause them.  Potential causes of trigger points include:

  • Maintaining an awkward position too long
  • Poor lifting habits
  • Carrying an overloaded purse
  • Bad posture
  • Sitting on a wallet in the back pocket
  • Hitching up your hip to carry a child
  • Sitting at a computer for too long
  • Any type of repetitive motion
  • Poorly designed shoes
  • Limping
  • Falls
  • Car accidents
  • Structural anomalies (short arms, one leg that is longer than the other, an asymmetrical pelvis, etc.)

Much of the stiffness and many of the aches and pains that we tend to accept as a normal part of aging are likely caused by the large collection of trigger points that most people have amassed by the time they are senior citizens.

WHERE TO FROM HERE?

 

Mark has a special interest in treating musculoskeletal aches and pains, he incorporates a three way approach including classic Chinese acupuncture, Modern trigger point techniques and ‘Tung’ style distal acupuncture for an all inclusive and thorough approach to resolving pain fast!

To make a booking with Mark, CLICK HERE!

Some other interesting articles here:

Dry Needling Newcastle

 

Eastential Chinese Medicine, David Yao Chi Guan, Four Seasons Wellness Centre, Shinma Acupuncture, Acuuncture Abbotsford Convent, Abbotsford Medical & Acupuncture Centre

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Have you tried Cupping yet? Detox naturally with Chinese Medicine

Cupping is a tradition from China, but it also fins its root in many other ancient societies from the Middle-East to Southern Europe.

Now, with the Spring Solstice just around the corner, your timing couldn’t be better!  We are all naturally susceptible to becoming run down around the time of seasonal changes, get in now to try it out, most people find it totally INVIGORATING!

The most common question I get is “Are those bruises healthy?”

Actually they are not bruises, but simply petechiae of non-circulating old blood which is drawn to the surface.  The effect will stimulate the new production of blood, increase circulation and have a detoxifying effect.  Usually the marks should be gone within 4-6 days; a darker colour means that there is a high level of toxins and stagnation in the section of the body that has been treated. In this case, the marks can last a little longer. However, if there are hardly any toxins, the coloring could be just a light pink and is likely to dissipate within a few hours.

Cupping is often beneficial when used for coughs, cold and flu, muscular pain, stress relief and even for anxiety.  Cupping can be a stand-alone treatment, or incorporated as part of your Acupuncture or Shiatsu treatment.

 

 

 

Eastential Chinese Medicine, David Yao Chi Guan, Four Seasons Wellness Centre, Shinma Acupuncture, Acuuncture Abbotsford Convent, Abbotsford Medical & Acupuncture Centre

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Angelina Jolie Credits Acupuncture for Treating Her Bell’s Palsy!

In the current issue of Vanity Fair, Angeline Jolie is candid about how she developed Bell’s Palsy in 2016 and turned to acupuncture for treatment.

As the author Eugenia Peretz writes, “Last year, in addition to hypertension, Jolie developed Bell’s palsy, a result of damage to facial nerves, causing one side of her face to droop. “Sometimes women in families put themselves last,” she says, “until it manifests itself in their own health.” Jolie credits acupuncture for her full recovery from the condition.”

This candid revelation has led to discussions about the health conditions facing women who find themselves under constant stress, like Bell’s Palsy, and the treatment opportunities that are out there – such as acupuncture. This candor even led to a short segment on today’s Good Morning America program discussing this particular condition and the treatment options available for Bell’s Palsy, including acupuncture, massage, and antiviral medications.

There are a number of reasons why someone may develop Bell’s Palsy, whether from an infectious disease, stress, genetics or malfunctioning of the facial nerve. I have seen a number of patients come in with this disorder, due to a range of causes, and know just how effective and relieving acupuncture treatment can be. Acupuncture can help to stimulate both the facial muscles affected in the area as well as the facial nerves.

Full story available from: https://www.vanityfair.com/…/…/07/angelina-jolie-cover-story

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Nukazuke  (糠漬け)

Hello, I’m Shiatsu Masa. I’m a qualified Shiatsu practitionerat Root & Branch Oriental Therapies, here in Abbotsford, Melbourne Australia.

I am trying to improve my diet with fermented foods which are good for your gut flora.

Tsukemono (漬物) means pickles.  Japanese people love pickled vegetables. In my home town Akita, which is at the northern part of main island of Japan. It’s extremely cold in Winter. Vegetable are traditionally preserved to use throughout the winter months.

A few month ago, I was attended a Nukazuke workshop held here in Melbourne. Nuka-zuke  (糠漬け) is a type of Japanese pickles which have been fermented in flavored rice bran. (Nuka means Rice bran) Nutrient rich bran-pickled-vegetables have been supplementing important vitamins and minerals to the Japanese diet for hundreds of years. I used to make Nukazuke many years ago, but I stopped. It can be hard work the Nuka-doko (pickling bed) needs to be kneaded daily for successful fermentation.

That workshop inspire me a lot. So I stared again 🙂

Traditional Nukadoko (pickling bed) is made of equal weight of rice bran and water & Sea salt (13% in weight of rice bran). But it’s hard to get good fresh rice bran.

Today, I will explain how to make easy ‘cheats’ Nukadoko (pickling bed) at home.

My cheat version of nukadoko is made from old bread (preferable Sourdough), Beer & Sea salt (About 10~13% in weight of bread). However, this recipe doesn’t use Nuka (Rice bran) at all, so we can’t call this Nukadoko, Actually  😉

1) Make bread crumb, use food processor or you can cut them into small dices.

2) Mix bread crumb with salt in clean container. And then mix with beer for a hard mud texture. Cover and keep in a cool dark place or in fridge.

3) Once you have prepared the medium, add cleaned left over vegetables (even peel & stems) to introduce lactic acid. (If you want to more flavour add dried red chili peppers or dried kombu or even garlic).

4) For the first 3~4 days, mix the bed with your hand twice a day. After 3~4 days, discard the wilted leftover vegetables and replace with fresh vegetables.

5) About a week later, your cheat bread nukadoko is ready to pickle!  Salt rub with veggies and leave it about 5min, then dry excess moisture with Paper towels. Then put them into the mixture and cover them.

It’s depend how long does it take to pickle. Hard vegetable like carrot or daikon usually It take about 1~2 days. Longer pickle time make it more salty & sour. Check the timing with your taste buds. Preferable store in fridge.

Please remember mix nukadoko everyday or every 2 days.

 

IMG_2204
My Nukadoko (pickling bed) Left:  Nukadoko (Sour dough),  Right: Traditional Nukadoko

 

Usually we pickle fresh crisp veggies like carrots, cucumber, daikon or turnip.

My personal favourite is cucumber (However you should get hard & crisp one otherwise it gets very soggy pickle – Try asian type cucumber) & Stalk of Broccoli.

The workshop lecturer recommended to pickle Okra and dried Shiitake mushrooms. It’s very tasty too, and full of healthy probiotics!

 

IMG_2234
Carrot, Celery, Cucumber & Red Capsicum.

 

IMG_2212
Stalk of Broccoli, Carrot, Red Capsicum, Celery, Dried Shiitake Mushroom & Dried Black Fungi.

 

 

[LINK] ~Found great informations of Nukadzuke from internet

*How to make Nukazuke [hangawara]

Eastential Chinese Medicine, David Yao Chi Guan, Four Seasons Wellness Centre, Shinma Acupuncture, Acuuncture Abbotsford Convent, Abbotsford Medical & Acupuncture Centre, 

*How to Make Nukadoko (Fermented Rice Bran Bed) for Pickling [Garden Betty]

 

*Nukadoko (Pickling Bed to Make Nukazuke) [http://japanese-kitchen.net]

 

 

My own private Miso

Easy Instant miso soup balls

Shiatsu Masa does great SHIATSU Massage Melbourne!!

 

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Easy Instant miso soup balls

Hello, I’m Shiatsu Masa. I’m a qualified Shiatsu practitionerat Root & Branch Oriental Therapies, here in Abbotsford, Melbourne Australia.

Shiatsu Masa try to eat good foods, like fermented foods.

I made my 1st home made miso about 4 month ago. Yesterday I made Instant miso soup balls.
Just mix together, Miso, bonito flakes, dried seaweed etc. (I’ve added black sesame seeds as well. – If you want to put vegetables in it – cook them 1st, otherwise miso soup balls will get too wet)
Wrap one big table spoon sized mixture with cling wrap and freeze it!!
easy hah?

When you want to have Miso soup, just put the ball in the bowl, add hot water!
There is no preservative or MSG, it’s all natural stuff.
Good foods & clean air make good Qi!
Good Qi makes you better!!
Have a bowl of Miso soup.
Keep warm yourself & don’t get cold 🙂
.
#healthy #rootandbranchorientaltherapies #shiatsumasa #miso #fermentedfoods #abbotsford #cliftonhill #melbourne #melbournewellness #misoballs #misosoup #natural #qi #goodfoods #misodama #misoshiru

Eastential Chinese Medicine, David Yao Chi Guan, Four Seasons Wellness Centre, Shinma Acupuncture, Acuuncture Abbotsford Convent, Abbotsford Mehttps://rootandbranchorientaltherapies.com/2016/11/shiatsu_massage_melbourne/dical & Acupuncture Centre

 

My own private Miso

Nukazuke  (糠漬け)

Shiatsu Masa does great SHIATSU Massage Melbourne!!

 

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Ear Acupuncture

Did you know that ear acupuncture can be similar to foot reflexology? Both areas of the body represent organ maps which can be beneficial to heath. The main difference between the two micro-systems is that while finger pressure is applicable to the plantar surface of the foot, the ear is smaller, thus it is necessary to use fine needles to elicit a reaction. The needles are almost completely painless and often we will send you away with a small sticky ear tack which can remain in pace for a few days to compliment body acupuncture treatment, and these can usually stay in place for up to 4-5 days. There is a famous protocol which was established in the early 1970’s called the ‘NADA protocol,’ which is still in use today for smoking cessation and heavily relied upon in drug and alcohol rehabilitation clinics.

Eastential Chinese Medicine, David Yao Chi Guan, Four Seasons Wellness Centre, Shinma Acupuncture, Acuuncture Abbotsford Convent, Abbotsford Medical & Acupuncture Centre

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How often do I need to book?

In the last five years or so since I have been involved with Chinese Medicine I have met all sorts of people; those who hate needles, those who don’t believe in holistic medicine yet they come as a last resort, those who wouldn’t dream of taking anything other than herbal medicines, those who think what we do is satantic etc etc… And the majority of people I have been involved with are satisfied with the care received, but often unsure of the duration of treatment required and how long cover for their private health insurance will last.
In general the longer the problem has persisted the more treatments are required, and for acute or new conditions, a shorter time frame can be expected; however it is difficult to define the treatment without a detailed analysis of individual circumstances such as age, compliance, constitution etc.
There are three stages of ‘disease’ – Active, Corrective and Recovery.  Often patients will seek treatment and find that their condition is mostly resolved after 2-3 visits and then discontinue care.  However it is pertinent to continue treatment just a little bit longer to see a resolution of symptoms through the corrective period; as a consequence of stopping care too soon will often see the same problem reoccur.  if it took 3-4 treatment to resolve the active phase of the condition, it would be smart to add another 2-3 treatments just to ensue that when rehabilita is complete the condition doesn’t relapse.  A comprehensive treatment plan would also incorporate follow-up treatments every 6 weeks or so, or around the time that seasonal changes are expected to boost immunity and proactively prevent relapse during times when our defences are lower.
Progress can generally be expected faster when acupuncture or shiatsu is combined with herbal therapy, lifestyle and dietary changes.  We are eager to get you healthy again as soon as possible, we will never encourage you to rely on our care for your health, we prescribe suitable treatment plans and empower the patient with information and knowledge to complete treatment as efficiently as possible.
Your practitioner should be able to give you a guide to your treatment plan within your first few treatments so that you know exactly what to expect and the level of commitment required.
Screen Shot 2017-03-07 at 11.10.03 .jpg
Eastential Chinese Medicine, David Yao Chi Guan, Four Seasons Wellness Centre, Shinma Acupuncture, Acuuncture Abbotsford Convent, Abbotsford Medical & Acupuncture Centre

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Practical tips for dealing with stress & anxiety

Welcome to the year of the Rooster!
As many people will now be heading back to work, here are some:

 

 

Practical tips for dealing with Stress & Anxiety:

 

 

 

 

Chinese Medicine is often used for the management of stress and anxiety, between treatments there are things that we can do practically anywhere, which will provide some instant relief; the hardest part is just remembering to do it!

I will outline a breathing exercise and a few acupressure points which you can practice as your own ‘stress emergency kit’ for those times when you feel like the pressure is going to make you burst!

First: 4-4-8 pranayama (like yoga for breathing), it brings clarity back to your mind, and delivers more oxygen to the lungs to generate qi.  Most of us are on automatic pilot, breathing into only the very upper portion of our lungs.  Breathing is controlled by both the subconscious and the conscious mind, by consciously taking control of it we also control the automated responses our bodies have to stress, and by breathing into the belly we are stimulating the Vagus nerve which controls the parasympathetic nervous system.

 

4-4-8 Pranayama

 

 

 

 

 

Technique:

Sit in a comfortable place, close your eyes and begin to breathe in, right down to your belly.  Your belly should rise on inhalation and retract on exhalation.  Don’t worry if it takes you a little while to master it, that’s normal.  Ignore any thoughts & follow the 3 cycles of breathing below and continue for as long as it takes to calm the mind…

BREATH IN THROUGH YOUR NOSE TO THE BELLY, SLOWLY TO THE COUNT OF 1….2….3….4…
HOLD YOUR BREATH NOW TO THE SLOW COUNT OF 1….2….3….4…
EXHALE THROUGH YOUR MOUTH SLOWLY TO THE COUNT OF 1….2….3….4….5….6….7….8…

 

And repeat the cycle again, for as much time as you have to spare, 5~10 minutes should be fine.  You can do this anywhere, even in the car!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acupressure Points for Stress & Anxiety:

 

 

 

 

 

acupuncture-for-anxiety

Pericardium 6

Located on the inside of the forearm half a finger up from the palm. Press firmly and hold on one arm for 30 seconds, then alternate arms.

 

 

 

acupuncture-for-nausea-ad-vomiting

Heart 7

On the inside wrist crease just inside the tendon, you will feel on the little finger side.

 

 

 

acupuncture-for-headaches

Yintang

Between the eyebrows, being located on a bony area you can tap this point; it may also be useful for headaches.

 

 

 

acupuncture-to-calm-the-heart

Ren 17

On the lower part of the breastbone close to the intersection of the 4th ribs, again as it is a hard surface you may benefit from tapping here.

 

 

Combining these points regularly will leave you feeling less stressed and aid to treat anxiety disorders, for best results consultation with a practitioner is recommended.

 

Table 1 & 2 of the Acupuncture Evidence Project (McDonald J, and Janz S, 2017) retrieved from www.acupuncture.org.au

© Photos courtesy of: Kirschbaum, B. (2010). Atlas of Chinese tongue diagnosis. Seattle: Eastland Press.

 

 

Good luck with the self-help; feel free to message or mail me if you have any questions!

Kind Regards.

Mark Davis (Doctor of Chinese Medicine.)

Eastential Chinese Medicine, David Yao Chi Guan, Four Seasons Wellness Centre, Shinma Acupuncture, Acupuncture Abbotsford Convent, Abbotsford Medical & Acupuncture Centre

 

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IT DOESN’T GET MUCH HEALTHIER THAN BEETROOT SOUP WITH BONE BROTH!

Have you tried Borscht before?

In Eastern Europe where Borscht it is a staple food, it is said that ‘Eating Borscht is as good as having a blood transfusion!’

Beetroot is an incredibly rich source of nutrients, combined with the gut healing benefits of bone broth and honestly I can’t think of any food, which would be a more complete source of nutrition!  Almost anyone would benefit from the goodness, but it is a particularly good all round recipe to have weekly for anyone who is considering maximising fertility. It can be served at room temperature on a hot summers day with a dollop of natural Greek yoghurt and some griddle-toasted sourdough with a lightly salted cultured butter!

There are many recipes online for bone broth, you can use anything from chicken wings to marrow bones, or even ox tails; of course organic bones are the best choice.
I like to pressure-cook the soup as it dramatically reduces the time to make the stock. It is very similar to making normal soup stock, however the extra pressure or time will extract the nutrients from the bone marrow, which makes the stock so nutrient dense.
　
　

Ingredients for Bone Broth:

  • Stock bones.
  • Water (double the volume of bones.)
  • 2-3 Tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar (important to maximise marrow extraction.)
  • 2-3 Tablespoons of Fish Sauce (replaces the need for salt.)
  • Herbs to taste such as star anise, bay leaf, black pepper, fresh garlic and ginger.

When you chill the stock it will turn gelatinous due to the marrow content, and the excess fat can be skimmed from the top prior to using it for the soup.

The next step is to make the Beetroot soup…
　
　

Ingredients for Borscht:

  • 2 medium sized onions.
  • 3-4 fresh & firm raw beetroots, peeled & diced.
  • 2 large carrots peeled & diced.
  • 1 large handful – roughly cut cabbage hearts.

Sautee the onions, add the chopped vegetables and cover with bone broth, simmer for 30-40 minutes until the vegetables are soft. That’s it; of course you can make additions yourself to taste.
You can puree the soup for a smoother consistency or consume it in its chunky form. Eat it hot or at room temperature, traditionally it is topped with sour cream and chives, but natural yoghurt is equally tasty and better on the waistline!

Eastential Chinese Medicine, David Yao Chi Guan, Four Seasons Wellness Centre, Shinma Acupuncture, Acuuncture Abbotsford Convent, Abbotsford Medical & Acupuncture Centre 　
　

Give it a try & let me know what you think!
　
　

Mark.