Information Session
12th February, 2022If you’ve ever wondered about medical acupuncture, here’s why you should consider it
If you’ve ever wondered about medical acupuncture, here at the Carina Medical & Specialist Centre we have experienced and renowned medical acupuncturist that you can help you feel well and maintain your health.
Acupuncture is part of the ancient practice of traditional Chinese medicine and has a long history of treating and supporting health and wellbeing. Acupuncture is the practice of penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metallic needles which are then activated through gentle and specific movements of the practitioner’s hands.
Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners believe the human body has more than 2,000 acupuncture points connected by pathways. These pathways create an energy flow (Qi, pronounced “chee”) through the body that is responsible for overall health. Disruption of the energy flow can cause disease. By applying acupuncture to certain points, it is understood to improve the flow of Qi, thereby improving health.
Meet Dr Anita Chang
Anita is an experienced, well-respected GP and renowned medical acupuncturist at The Carina Medical & Specialist Centre who now exclusively practices medical acupuncture for her patients.
Dr Chang graduated from University of Queensland Medical School in 1993 and completed her Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practice in 1995. During her many years of general practice work, Anita became aware that there was a need for safe complementary approaches for many conditions where western medical management is no longer able to assist patients beyond a certain level of improvement.
She commenced her medical acupuncture training in 2006 and was awarded Fellowship of the Australian Medical Acupuncture College in 2010. Since then she has studied further under many acclaimed international teachers of various styles including Classical Chinese Medicine, Chinese Scalp Acupuncture, Yamamoto New Scalp Acupuncture and Ear Acupuncture, mastering these skills in the field.
Modalities used include – normal filiform needles, fine superficial needles, electro-acupuncture, ear acupuncture, laser acupuncture, moxibustion, infra-red lamp and cupping. With many years of clinical experience in medical acupuncture she can individualise treatments for patients with various painful and non-painful conditions.
Dr Chang has an active role in teaching medical acupuncture and is involved in the Australian Medical Acupuncture College Course for Doctors as a teacher, mentor and examiner.
Studies have shown that acupuncture is effective for a variety of conditions so here are key ways that medical acupuncture can help you:
1. Overall Health and Wellbeing
When placed at the appropriate points, acupuncture needles can help release blocked energy throughout the body so that function can be restored including the digestive, cardiovascular, immune system, endocrine and nervous systems. Restoring your balanced energy flow can result in better sleep and improved mood, enhanced digestion, reduced pain and an improved sense of overall wellness.
Conditions helped by acupuncture include:
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Headaches
- Neck pain
- Joint pain from bursitis, degeneration changes
- Allergic rhinitis
- Itchy skin
- Chronic fatigue
- Irritable bowel
- Post viral fatigue and lethargy
2. Women’s Health
Medical acupuncture has long been used to help regulate and support healthy menstruation including issues like PMS symptoms, painful periods, irregular cycles, abnormal loss of period, heavy bleeding, and spotting.
At Carina Medical, when supporting women’s menstrual health, Anita will take a detailed history of symptoms specific to your period as well as general health. She will then formulate a treatment plan and track improvements in symptoms as well as overall health.
3. Fertility
Many women seek out medical acupuncture to help support fertility for natural conception or in combination with IVF. Acupuncture at the correct time may help to relax the uterus at the time of transfer, increasing the chances of implantation.
While Dr Chang’s treatment approach varies according to your cycle, she will able to alleviate stress on the body, which will be beneficial for supporting natural fertility.
4. Pregnancy
During pregnancy, the body is undergoing many changes, very quickly. It is very common to experience a wide range of symptoms during pregnancy such as morning sickness, pain, lethargy, insomnia and swelling. Medical acupuncture has shown to improve a woman’s egg quality and improve the thickness of the uterine lining by increasing the blood flow to the reproductive organs.
After pregnancy, it is often a challenging time for mothers. Acupuncture can be very helpful during lactation, enhancing energy levels and calming the mind.
5. Menopause
Menopause will affect women in different ways. Medical acupuncture can be used to help ease hot flushes, dizziness, insomnia, mood changes. However, how one woman experiences this transition can be vastly different to another. Anita will work closely with you to put together a tailored treatment plan specific to your symptoms.
To find out more about how medical acupuncture could work for you, visit our frequently asked questions or you can book in with Dr Anita Chang online.