Acupuncture in Ipswich
Sonia Smit BSc, AdDip TCM: Senior Practitioner
Reduce Pain and Stress in Your Life.
Welcome to Blue Balance Acupuncture! – An accredited Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine practitioner registered with AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) and a member of ANTA (Australian Natural Therapists Association). Sonia Smit is the Senior Acupuncturist practicing at Body Techniques, Ipswich. Sonia is registered with WorkCover QLD.
Lead an abundant life with the health you know you should have. Acupuncture Ipswich provides a drug free pain treatment which may reduce pain and stress in your life. You’re probably here because you know something has to change. You’re no longer willing to put up with pain or that feeling that something is just not right. Physical pain can lead to worry and anxiety. It’s time to get you back in balance. And you’ve come to the right place. If you have an acute injury we can reduce your recovery time and get you back onto the playing field. If your pain is chronic or you just don’t know why you’re hurting we aim to ease your pain, identify your issues and lead you back to enjoying your life.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is gaining increasing acceptance in Australia. Initially presented with its traditional concepts and theories, TCM was difficult to understand. Today there are numerous studies and translations which allow us to understand more of this medical system using modern scientific terms. The results of many recent studies reveal acupuncture and herbal formulae to be useful tools for the more than just the treatment of pain.
The practice and theory is based on classical developments from over 2000 years ago. Observation of life as a whole lead to the recognition that health is more than just the body on its own. Health is affected by the environment, diet, and both mental and physical activities. TCM aims to address all of these factors.
Call me, Sonia Smit Acupuncturist, to discuss your situation or read through the Frequently Asked Questions. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a complete holistic medical system and as such inspects each aspect of the individual – mind, body, emotions – to identify the root cause of illness. This approach integrates into daily life and includes diet, exercise, meditation, herbs, acupuncture and massage. Traditional Chinese Medicine is regarded as an Allied, Alternative or Complementary Medicine. Many people are aware of the benefits of using acupuncture Ipswich for pain treatment and to reduce the effects of stress. TCM is also useful in treating a range of symptoms experienced with acute and chronic conditions; including issues associated with fertility, menopause, cold and flu, hay fever, IBS, anxiety, depression, recurrent infections, constipation, insomnia, menstrual disorders and behavioural issues.
Don’t ignore your body! Our modern lifestyle contributes to premature ageing and chronic degenerative illness. However, we can take control of our own bodies. Accept responsibility for your health. You can restore harmony within you and around you. Although you may feel frustrated by the state of the world, you are in control of your health and well being.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the gentle treatment of using very fine needles to help regulate the body. One of it’s great benefits is that, compared to many drug therapies, acupuncture has no side effects of any statistical relevance. The art and practice of acupuncture continues to evolve using modern techniques such as the incorporation of electrical stimulation to improve healing and circulation.
Traditionally described as influencing the Qi (pronounced CHEE), Yin and Yang, blood and body fluids. Scientific research has helped us to translate these concepts. Results correlate to acupuncture having an effect on the nervous system, hormone production and blood circulation.
Acupuncture points are mostly found along specific channels. Physiologically these channels reflect the active areas of specific spinal nerves. The nervous system is vast and complicated.
To simplify an example.. just as someone may experience referred pain, like arm pain caused by a heart attack (because it uses the same spinal nerves), stimulating acupuncture points may influence muscle and visceral organs associated with those nerves. In this way we aim to target health issues ranging from headaches and back pain to cases like menopause, weight loss, fertility and anxiety among many other things.
Methods of DIAGNOSIS
According to traditional Chinese medicine, the human body is an organic whole, and the internal and external are closely related, and the body is also influenced by the environment. When the balance between the internal and external environment breaks down, disease occurs. Developing a diagnosis is essential to form a clear plan of treatment. The treatment may use any, or all of the services: acupuncture, cupping, gua sha and herbal formula.
Observations of the exterior of the body, like the face and tongue are closely related to internal health. The overall physique also delivers information regarding the health and function of certain organs.
During the initial consultation, questions may be asked regarding general condition, the main complaints, present illness, history, life style, family history and the present symptoms. Asking questions about general bodily functions helps to clarify patterns of disharmony when developing a diagnosis. Asking questions provides the history, progress and changes of an illness. It is also important to understand any emotional or psychological changes so these can also be addressed.
Some conditions like Tennis Elbow won’t require such in depth questioning. However, a condition like recurring migraine will be treated differently if it is associated with feelings of heat as apposed to one with feelings of cold.
Diagnosis and its underlying theory is often complex so I won’t go into any further in this introduction. The diagnosis and treatment plan will ultimately change over the course of treatment as your body responds and the condition changes.
Acupuncture and Dry Needling Ipswich Area
Some acupuncture points are points of pain or tenderness. These “Ashi” points are the same as those used by other physical therapists and using needles on these points is also known as “dry needling”. Targeting trigger points and motor points directly influences the state of muscle contraction and blood flow. The results of pain relief can often be felt quite soon after treatment. However several treatments are usually required for lasting effects. Read more about the difference and similarities of acupuncture and dry needling here.
Cupping and Gua Sha
Cupping us used to influence the skin, facia and muscle. Using plastic or glass cups, a vacuum is created which pulls the skin and tissues below, up into the cup. This action can relieve pressure induced by stagnant blood (muscle constriction) and by the facia (tissues that encase muscle) and acts to pull blood and fluid to the surface. Some marks and bruising may be experienced. The results of cupping are often described as quite relaxing. The cupping influences the flow of blood and fluids directly below the area being cupped. You might think of it as an opposing force to massage. Where pressure onto muscles is too painful, cupping acts to induce blood flow without downward force.
Gua Sha is a soft scraping of the skin. This is another method used to induce blood flow on the surface level of the body. This action results in reddening of the skin and may develop slight bruising. Often used over tight or tender muscles to release facia, it is also used in areas which influence the nerve roots of the lungs to treat cough and wheezing.
Chinese Herbal Medicine
Online consultations available. Using herbs and food for healing has been used by all cultures throughout history. Many pharmaceutical drugs are based on chemical substances and bioactive agents contained in herbs. Chinese herbs are delivered as a mix, or formula. Traditionally this was boiled up and consumed as a tea. Modern formulations are provided in dried granule form to be dissolved, or as pills or capsules.
The idea behind mixing several herbs into a formula has several functions. The actions of some herbs on their own may be too harsh. The actions of others may be enhanced by other specific herbs. An effective formula will have a blend of substances that are balanced to enhance the strengths and reduce any side-effects. This combination created a new therapeutic medicine which is more effective than any single herb alone.
Blue Balance Acupuncture provides Chinese Herbs manufactured by Sun Herbal. No animal products or endangered species are included.
Emotional Freedom Technique
Online consultation available. This is a relatively new technique which enlists the knowledge of acupuncture channels and the way the our body and brain stores and uses information from past experiences and trauma. Chinese medicine theory associates different emotions with certain organ systems. The theory also encompassed the idea that if experiences are incompletely processed they can cause blockage or stagnation in that organ and channel. This can cause imbalance in organ systems and disease. Modern research also shows that emotions can be stored in organs as cellular memory. And it is widely agreed that stress and obsessive thinking contribute to chronic disease.
EFT is approved by the US Veterans Administration (VA) as treatment for Post Traumatic Stress, anxiety, depression and other pain conditions.
EFT, also known as ‘tapping’, is performed by gently tapping your fingers at points along the channels while focusing on specific emotions or events. This essentially allows the body to process these emotions. Knowing what to focus on can be difficult so being guided by a practitioner can lead to more rapid, satisfying results. EFT can then be practiced on your own and is great for children. Like anything, practice will bring greater results.