Shen Healing

Including acupuncture.

Pre-purchase of 5 (1 hour) follow-up treatments $325.

Plus cost of herbs.

The origins of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) go back as far as 5000 years. The system of Chinese Medicine includes therapeutic modalities such as Herbal medicine. Acupuncture. Massage, Moxibustion. Cupping. Diet therapy and exercise (Tai Ji and Qi Gong). Chinese Medicine differentiates syndrome patterns that include all the symptoms and diagnostic information it has collected over thousands of years, and is often able to treat a disease before it has been medically diagnosed by recognising the syndrome. Before the most appropriate treatment method can be chosen it is necessary to make a detailed Chinese Medical diagnosis.

During a diagnosis the Chinese Medical practitioner is concerned with all aspects of the patient's health such as medical and family history, pain sensations, digestive functioning, sleeping patterns, emotional states as well as other relevant information such as occupation and living conditions. A small physical examination includes palpation of the pulse at both wrists and inspection ol the tongue. With the acquired information the practitioner is able to assess the disease pattern and determine the most appropriate, individualised treatment lot you. Because a Chinese treatment is aimed at restoring balance it is necessary to re diagnose at regular intervals so as to be able to modify the treatment according to changed circumstances. This makes a Chinese medical treatment very precise and individual and is one ol its great strengths.

Chinese Herbal medicine is the main treatment method of Chinese Medicine and is. next to Acupuncture, becoming a popular and effective treatment option in the West. Chinese Herbal treatment involves a detailed diagnosis and the prescription of a herbal formula, either in form of a decoction or in powder or pill form. A herbal formula typically consists of 10 16 individual herbs, designed to treat the disease symptoms as well as the patient's general state of health. A decoction is a tea extracted after boiling the herbs for about one hour, and is taken twice a day. Powders or pills are taken twice or three times a day with water. Most acute and chronic conditions can be treated with Chinese Herbal Medicine. Chinese Medicine can be especially effective assisting recuperation alter prolonged illness.

During an Acupuncture treatment fine, sterile needles are insert into acupuncture points and will remain inserted for 1 to 50 minutes, depending on the condition. Sometimes the area around the needle is warmed by burning a Chinese herb (mugwort). and this is referred to as moxibustion. Electronic stimulation and suction cups arc also frequently used as an adjunct to Acupuncture treatment. Some of the many benefits of acupuncture arc • It offers drug free pain relief • Not only treats the manifestation (pain), but also the underlying cause, seeking a long term effect • Stimulates the body's own healing response and can be used lor prevention of disease.

Chinese massage is based on the same principles as acupuncture and uses linger pressure instead of needles on acupuncture points. Certain massage techniques such as kneading, squeezing, patting arc part of Chinese massage. It is designed to stimulate Qi (energy) and blood circulation and is often used as an alternative or in conjunction with acupuncture.

All common diseases have been treated with TCM in the last few thousand years. Western medical diseases have been correlated with the Chinese syndrome patterns, but there are far more patterns than diseases, so that Chinese therapy can be very precise and individual. The World Health Organisation has listed over 50 diseases that respond especially well to Chinese Medicine. Many clinical trials into the efficacy of TCM have been conducted or are currently underway.

The aim of the treatment is to restore balance. Once this is achieved the treatment is complete. Chinese Herbal treatment usually takes between 4-6 months with a recommended yearly check-up. Acupuncture treatments take from 3-12 sessions, depending on the duration of the problem and pain. Some chronic and serious conditions require ongoing treatments.

Registered Herbalist (PhD Sc. BHSc TCM. Cert. TCM/China) Bettina has a background in Science (PhD). She has completed a Bachelor of Chinese herbal medicine and has been practicing Chinese massage and Chinese Herbal Medicine since 1992. She also completed herbal studies at Shanghai International TCM College / China as well as five years of clinical studies at Steven Clavey TCM clinic / Melbourne. She is also a lecturer at SSNT in Melbourne and co editor of The Lantern journal of Chinese medicine. Her field of interest is Chinese gynecology where she has been working with fertility and endometriosis patients for many years.

Registered Acupuncturist (BHSc/Ac.Dip.CHM.Cert.Ac / China) Michael has been practicing Acupuncture and Chinese massage since 1990. He has completed a Bachelor degree in Acupuncture as well as a Diploma in Chinese herbal medicine and also attended clinical studies at Shanghai International TCM College / China. He currently teaches the Tai Chi courses at Shen Healing. His interest is in Orthopedics, Traumatology and pain management.