Tag: acupuncture

By Keryn Hawker Acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Nourishing Life (yangsheng) , , , , , , , ,

Hydration: wet-cooked food as the foundation for health

Do you experience any of the following?

  • Weakened digestion
  • Low immunity
  • Inflammatory heat conditions
  • Dry skin
  • Dry eyes, nose or lips
  • High blood pressure
  • Anaemia
  • Fluid retention

It is possible that chronic dehydration is a factor – underlying the cause, contributing to an exacerbation of the condition, or limiting your body’s attempts at healing.

My patients will be familiar with me harping on (ALL. THE. TIME) about the importance of hydration. It’s because it’s so important – for your overall health, and for the effectiveness of acupuncture treatments.

When I perform acupuncture I am stimulating the Qi through acupoints and channels in the body. Qi is dynamic movement or potential, it is relatively yang in nature – insubstantial, we might say ethereal or ‘energetic’. Stimulating the Qi invites a response in the body, and on the level of physiology it will require yin substance (fluids and Blood) in the body to flow and to nourish the Qi. We see this yin-yang interdependence in many forms in a healthy body.

For example, the Liver in Chinese medicine stores the Blood, and is the system responsible for smooth movement of Qi. When the Blood (yin) is deficient, the Liver tightens up to attempt to store the little Blood reserves available and consequently the flow of Qi (yang) is restrained. It is said the Liver is “in excess”. This may manifest as headaches, menstrual pain or a tight body. Women who have very heavy periods and are low in Blood may experience tension or pain on a regular basis or during and just after their period.

For my acupuncture treatments to be effective, I require you to have sufficient fluids to support the body’s response to the message being transmitted by the Qi.

The same concept applies to why hydration and healthy fluids are needed for efficient daily functioning.

Your immune system relies on healthy fluids to support sweating and a functioning mucosa. Healthy fluids are the yin that supports the (yang) Qi response commanding the body to generate a fever and efficiently eliminate the pathogens. Elimination may occur through sweating, coughing, urination, sneezing and defecation – all of which require fluids.

Fluids are also required on a daily basis to be distributed out to the exterior and nourish the skin, to be ascended to the head to nourish the sensory organs, to calm and hydrate the digestive tract, to build Blood and so on. Good digestive function supported by healthy fluids ensures your body can extract and make the vital substances you need from the food you eat to sustain all activities in the body.

Many people are chronically dehydrated.

If you are living off a diet of toast, chips, tea and coffee, skipping meals and eating whilst worried, you won’t be generating the fluids you need. Further, if you are not taking in enough fluids in the diet, the body will take fluids away from other places in the body – the lymph, blood, muscles, interstitial spaces, digestive tract,… leave the body desiccated.

So how do we ensure we generate sufficient healthy fluids?

All fluids utilised by the body are manufactured in the Stomach, so we need to take enough fluids in through our diet. Drinking plain water helps flush our system but it is not the best to hydrate. To hydrate we need wet-cooked foods in our daily diet. Think soups, stews, congee, porridges, broths, casseroles. Anything that is cooked in plenty of water allows slow-release hydration into your body as it passes through the gastrointestinal tract and you digest the food. Soups used to be a common accompaniment to main meals; a practice that has fallen away in the last few decades much to our detriment.

Also important is to avoid foods that desiccate fluids and inflame. This includes sugar, garlic, onion, chocolate, caffeine and alcohol.

Personally one of my favourite ways to achieve daily hydration is by eating a breakfast congee – made from either rice or millet and served with a boiled egg, sauerkraut, grated ginger and tamari. It is delicious and since making this a regular feature in the AM I have noticed improvements in my digestion and skin.

What is your favourite wet-cooked food?

If you’ve enjoyed this article and would like to work together, please reach out.

By Keryn Hawker Acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Nourishing Life (yangsheng) , , , , , ,

For fertility and health: nourishing Blood in Chinese medicine

A common diagnosis in the Chinese medicine clinic, particularly among menstruating women, is one of “Blood deficiency”. This may be associated with issues such as headaches, body aches, fatigue, cold extremities, poor sleep, anxiety and menstrual disorders (missing, very light, or very heavy periods, fertility issues).

This post provides information on what Blood means in Chinese medicine and simple ways to build and nourish the Blood if it’s depleted.

What is Blood in Chinese medicine?

Chinese medicine describes the basic physiological substances of the body as Qi, Blood and body fluids. Blood forms a yin-yang pairing with Qi. It is said that the Blood nourishes the Qi, and the Qi leads the Blood. Qi is the yang aspect of bodily function while Blood is the relatively yin aspect, providing substance and nourishment to the body. Blood nourishes all the body tissues and structures. Whilst it incorporates blood as we understand it in western medicine, the red substance that circulates within the vessels, Blood in Chinese medicine also relates to mental, emotional and spiritual components.

The 2000 year old Chinese medical text tells us:

‘The heart stores the vital circulation (mai) and the mai are the dwelling place of the spirits.’

Lingshu chapter 8

In another classic text we read:

‘This is why to maintain (to nourish) the life of the spirits it is necessary to know the state of repletion or emaciation of the body; the rising of power or the decline of blood and qi. The blood and qi are the spirits of a human being. One cannot but pay attention to their maintenance.’

Suwen chapter 26

The health of the body, the Blood and Qi, is inextricably linked with spirit and our mental-emotional wellbeing. This is why strategies to nourish and build Blood also involve lifestyle, not just dietary additions.

When Blood is sufficient and healthy, the complexion has a healthy glow, the body feels warm with clear sensation throughout. The hair is lustrous, nails are strong, the eyesight is clear, and the body is relaxed and limber. There is a feeling of being calm and grounded. Menstruation is not too heavy, not too light.

What does it look like when Blood is depleted?

When Blood is depleted there may be dryness, tension and spasms in the body, numbness or feeling cold especially in the extremities. The face, tongue and fingernail beds may appear pale. There can be spots in the visual field, thin dry hair, hair loss, prematurely greying hair, headaches (particularly following the period), for women – light or missing periods or very heavy periods, and fatigue. Sleep may be disturbed or light; it may be difficult to fall to sleep or you commonly wake at around 3am.

With insufficient Blood, someone can experience nervousness or anxiety and be less resilient to emotional waves and daily ups and downs.

There may be a western medicine diagnosis of anaemia, although this is not a one-to-one equivalent diagnosis to Blood depletion in Chinese medicine.

How does Blood become depleted?

A modern lifestyle is extremely taxing on Blood. Overworking, working late at night, emotional stress and worry all consume Blood and impact on organ systems (such as the Heart) that govern or produce Blood.

A poor diet of too much refined foods, fried foods, coffee, alcohol, sugar, prescription or recreational drugs damages the digestive system and stresses the Liver function. A healthy digestive system is needed to efficiently extract nutrients from the food and drink we consume, to produce healthy and plentiful Blood. The Liver in Chinese medicine theory “stores the Blood”, detoxes and assists its smooth flow in the body. A weak digestion and stressed Liver leads to deficient Blood.

For a woman, the monthly loss of menstrual blood means extra attention is required to ensure Blood is nourished. When periods are particularly heavy or long, Blood can easily become depleted.

Looking at screens for too long, and into the night, depletes the Blood through taxing the Liver. There is a correspondence between the Liver and the eyes in Chinese medicine.

How can Blood be rebuilt or maintained?

Lifestyle and dietary factors are equally important in maintaining or building Blood.

Lifestyle

It is essential to maintain a healthy working digestion to produce Blood. This means eating a balanced wholefood diet, adequate hydration, eating at regular meal times, avoiding cold foods and drinks (such as straight from the fridge) and getting to know what supports your individual digestion. If your digestion is out of sorts, it can be helpful to consult a natural health practitioner to work towards a healthy digestion.

Find ways to support your mental and emotional wellbeing, and reduce stress and overwork. A meditation practice, daily supportive physical exercise (yoga, walking, swimming etc), having fun with friends, can all be helpful here.

For women, the time of menstruation is particularly important. While menstruating get plenty of rest, avoid over-exertion, and keep your body warm especially the legs and feet. You may also start to notice that if you’ve had a particularly stressful phase leading up to your period, that you get more discomfort and feel fatigued during menstruation, and the monthly migraine/headache is more likely to appear.

Nurture your emotional wellbeing. Being creative can help – dance, draw, sing, write,… whatever it is that brings joy and flow. At times you may need to deep dive and do your emotional work. In Chinese medicine, emotional blockages lead to Blood stasis and the Blood no longer flows freely carrying the spirit. To build Blood, the Blood must move. Working on clearing unresolved emotional issues frees the flow of Blood, and allows your system to make new Blood.

Get enough sleep. This means going to bed by 10pm at the latest so that you can be deeply asleep during the most regenerative yin time of the night – from 11pm to 1am.

Avoid eating late at night; finish eating dinner two to three hours before going to bed. This has to do with the energetics of the Stomach (digestion) and the Liver in Chinese medicine. We want to Liver to turn its attention to nourishing and storing Blood during the night time, however if there is food in the digestive system, the Liver Qi will be directed to the Stomach instead. Thus Blood nourishment is compromised.

Diet

From a western medicine perspective, iron, folic acid and vitamin B12 are needed to help build blood. Adequate protein is also needed. To help absorb iron, B-vitamins, copper and vitamin C are necessary.

From a Chinese medicine perspective, it is interesting to know that the foods that nourish Blood contain the minerals and vitamins that build the physical substance of blood. However, these foods have been recognised through their forms, colours, organ associations and energetics.

Understanding food energetics makes it easy to remember the properties of the foods, without needing to recall long lists of random food items. I like to summarise Blood-nourishing choices by recommending that people include “green and red” foods. So these include:

Red foods: beetroots, berries, grapes, pomegranates, goji berries (better digested after soaking in hot water), chinese red dates (jujube), red meat and bone broth

Green foods: green leafy vegetables (kale, spinach, silverbeet), compact vegetables (broccoli, cabbage), nettles and nettle tea, seaweeds and micro-algae (spirulina, chlorella), sprouts (lightly steamed to temper their excessive cooling properties)

Other foods that are important additions for building blood include: grains, nuts, seeds and legumes. Black beans, sweet potato, pumpkin and carrot.

For severe blood deficiency, animal liver is a strong blood tonic.

When a variety of whole foods are consumed, abundant nutrients and vitamins are usually available to assist iron absorption.

Extra support

Sometimes we need additional support to help nourish and build our Blood. This can take the form of Chinese herbal medicine to provide stronger blood tonics than can be gained through diet alone; and acupuncture to help manage stress, alleviate emotional stagnation, and support efficient functioning of organ systems involved in building or governing Blood.

I hope you found this helpful!

Feel free to get in touch if you have questions, or you’d like to work with me in clinic.

Photo by Karyna Panchenko on Unsplash

By Keryn Hawker Acupuncture, Nourishing Life (yangsheng) , , , ,

Golden month: postpartum care

I love supporting women to regain their strength and re-balance postpartum. There are increasingly more resources available on the Golden month as we collectively become aware of how important this phase is to the health of our mothers, and our communities. This month I was reading a sweet little book “Golden Month” on supporting women in the post-partum. The author, a Chinese medicine practitioner, has collected stories of the post-partum period from around the world and found many commonalities of what constitutes good care across many traditions.

The four essential ingredients in postpartum care:

  • rest
  • massage and warmth
  • mother warming
  • nutrient dense food for new mothers.

I think we could add emotional support and social connection to this list. This was intrinsic to traditional practices the author learned of where mothers were often surrounded by family, but may be missing in many modern settings.

A new mother recently shared with me that she wants to eat SO much at the moment, even though “all she is doing is sitting all day breastfeeding” her 3-week old baby. As Jenny tells us in Golden Month “lactation demands more of the mother’s energy than any other stage of reproduction: her energy requirements increase by 25-30%” And this is after the Qi expended and Blood lost during labouring and birth. So don’t hold back on feeding yourself, your body needs it! Food and rest… so necessary.

Mother warming is a practice from Chinese medicine where the lower pelvis and lower back are warmed with moxa (a burning herb compressed into a stick). This boosts the Jing, is soothing and supports energy.

There is so much we can do to support our new mothers by following the wisdom of our elders.

Feel free to reach out, get in touch, if you or someone you know would benefit from some TLC during the post-partum. A couple of acupuncture treatments (including moxibustion) in the 4 weeks after birth can be really supportive.

There are also many local businesses that support new mothers, with home-delivered nutritious food and other services – check out the Coal Coast Baby magazine for a bunch of amazing people to help!

By Keryn Hawker Acupuncture ,

Acupuncture and dry needling – what’s the difference?

I get asked this question all the time by my patients, and there are a few facets to the answer, so I thought it would be helpful to lay it all out here in a post. 

In brief, dry needling is a form of acupuncture, but the main points of difference are:

  • The system and intent in which it is applied; and
  • The level of training and experience with needles of the person applying the acupuncture.

There are several things to understand within each of these points, and I’ll go through these below. 

Dry needling is a form of acupuncture

Dry needling is a trigger-point therapy where fine needles are inserted into areas of tight muscle fibres, usually to achieve a twitch response in order to relieve pain.  The term ‘dry needling’ was coined by Dr Janet Travell in the 1940s in her book ‘Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: Trigger Point Manual’.

Dry needling is a form of acupuncture, a modern term applied to a practice that has been described in Chinese medicine texts written more than 1300 years ago.  ‘Ashi’ points were described in Chinese medicine in 652 A.D. as points that are tender to touch.  Ashi translates as “Ah Yes!” It’s the point of muscle tension where your body is telling you that’s the place. Ashi points include (but are not limited to) ‘myofascial trigger points’ in modern terminology.

Acupuncture performed by an ‘Acupuncturist’ is a therapy of Chinese medicine; dry needling by a non-Acupuncturist is applied through a different lens

Dry needling is specific to using needles in cases of musculoskeletal pain. When practiced by a non-Acupuncturist (someone not trained in Chinese medicine) it is applied with an understanding of muscles and joints with a specific intent to generate a twitch response and/or help to relieve muscular tension.  In the right hands it can be very helpful and assist with an overall physical treatment. 

When acupuncture (including dry needling) is practiced by an Acupuncturist, we employ the knowledge of Chinese medicine which is based on a multi-layered channel system. This includes the sinew channels of muscles/tendons/ligaments as well as channel systems that are related to the many functions of the body and include connections with the organs.  When we look at a tight muscle band, we also look at the whole sinew channel of which it is one part, which may travel from the head all the way to the feet (which is why you might end up with needles in your ankle or toes for a back problem).

An Acupuncturist will consider a multitude of signs and symptoms, including feeling the pulse, before deciding on the course of needling and other therapies. Other therapies include moxibustion, cupping, guasha and dietary therapy.

Dry needling is just one technique an Acupuncturist might use to relieve muscular pain.  Personally, I very rarely use this form of needling.  Needles applied very shallowly with the intent to access the sinew/muscle layer of the body can be extremely effective for relieving pain and improving movement and function.

The intent and system within which a form of needling has been learned is important because this informs its appropriate use in practice.  An Acupuncturist works with the body’s flow of Qi and Blood, and we are trained to understand the interactions of Qi throughout the channel systems and organs. This means we apply acupuncture to assist in a variety of health presentations from pain through to digestive upset, fertility and menstrual disorders to pregnancy and birth preparation.  A ‘dry-needler’ has learned to use needles to facilitate a trigger-response or relieve muscle tightness and thus their use of needles within this context is appropriate. 

I once had a patient tell me that their chiropractor was using needles to help them prepare for birth, using points within the Chinese medicine system and not in a context of pain relief.  This is highly inappropriate because a dry-needling training does not equip one to understand the impact of needles on the body’s Qi, or to understand the subtly of the Chinese medicine system of channels, and such an application could well cause (unintended) harm.

Acupuncturists have more extensive training with needles

Chinese medicine and acupuncture are regulated under the Australian Health Practitioner Agency (AHPRA) and the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia (CMBA). As such, only those practitioners who are registered with AHPRA may claim to be ‘Acupuncturists’. To be a registered Acupuncturist or Chinese medicine practitioner requires completion of a four-year full-time University (or equivalent) degree in Chinese medicine, maintaining relevant insurances, membership with a professional body such as AACMA and ongoing continuing professional development. It is a breach of national law to claim to be an acupuncturist or to imply you are an acupuncturist without being registered.

Acupuncturists must complete 750+ clinical hours as part of their training.  The course also includes detailed instruction in needling technique and point location with focussed instruction on safe practice to prevent issues such as organ puncture and nerve damage.  A dry-needling practitioner may have as little as 16 hours of training in the use of needles.

In conclusion

Dry needling is a form of acupuncture and may be used appropriately to help relieve muscular tension. Before receiving needling from a practitioner, be clear on the training they have received and what their intent of treatment is.  Is your practitioner an Acupuncturist (Chinese medicine practitioner) registered with AHPRA?  What do they propose to use needles for in your treatment – muscular pain or something else? With the elements presented above, you should now be able to make an informed decision as to the appropriate use of needling for your condition.

By Keryn Hawker Acupuncture , ,

Acupuncture and acupressure for pre-birth and labour

Pregnancy and birth can be a major transformative life journey on many levels – physical, emotional, spiritual and sexual.  Acupuncture and acupressure are valuable tools to support a woman and her partner on this journey.

In the weeks leading up to birth, acupuncture is a wonderful support to help prepare the mind and body.  I recommend starting regular acupuncture from 36 or 37 weeks, and evidence suggests this is more helpful than only seeking acupuncture as an alternate method of induction at term.  During these weeks, acupuncture promotes relaxation, reduces stress and anxiety, prepares your ligaments for the coming birth, and enhances cervical ripening. When the nervous system is in a parasympathetic (rest/relaxed) mode, blood flow is directed to the uterus, hormones are supportive (increased oxytocin and endorphins) and muscle tension and the perception of pain is reduced. This is a state of mind and body that supports the approaching birthing process. Giving yourself the dedicated “time out” for regular acupuncture sessions in the final weeks can go a long way to support this natural process. 

Acupressure can be continued at home to help prepare for birth, and specifically used during labour.  Evidence has shown that acupressure during labour can reduce the pain intensity and the need for pharmacological pain relief, as well as reducing the likelihood of needing a caesarean section. Acupressure also provides the support person (such as the woman’s partner) a valuable and central role to support her throughout the labouring; building intimacy, trust and a shared experience in the journey.

The literature suggests that greater satisfaction with childbirth is linked with a woman’s sense of agency in decision-making and participation during pregnancy and birth. For this reason, as well as for women who desire a natural birth without pharmacological analgesia, acupressure can provide a sense of empowerment and agency through the labour.  

The acupressure points to use are easy to learn, and can be accessed freely online here.  If a personal session is preferred, you can also book a session with me to go through the points or keep an eye out on my Events page for group workshops.

Beyond birth, it is from Chinese medicine that the “zuo yuezi” practice of postnatal care (literally “confinement”) comes – the 40 days after birth where the all needs of the new mother are taken care of traditionally by her extended family, so she can be nourished, bond with her new baby and rebuild her strength. But that is a subject for another time…

As always, if you have any questions you are welcome to get in touch.

By Keryn Hawker Acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine , , , ,

Acupuncture: natural relief from migraine and tension headache

Headache is one of the most common health problems we suffer.  People can suffer from migraines or tension headaches for years and begin to accept this as how life is, a new normal.  But it’s not normal, it’s a sign that something is not working properly in your body-mind.  We can use Chinese medicine and acupuncture to identify what is not working and re-establish health so that headaches no longer occur.

What is a headache and what causes them?

Migraine is a severe form of recurrent headache, lasting from four to 72 hours, on one side of the head and often associated with nausea and vomiting, light and sound sensitivity.  Migraine is commonly triggered by stress, fatigue, menstruation and weather changes.

A tension headache is usually felt as bilateral severe continuous pressure. It may last a few weeks or longer and is commonly associated with stress and depression.

Other common causes of headaches include pregnancy, poor posture, sinus congestion, high blood pressure, overwork and fatigue.

How can acupuncture help?

Acupuncture is an effective and natural approach for relieving migraine and tension headaches.

Taking a painkiller simply masks the symptoms of a headache.  It may be helpful in the short term however it will not resolve the issue and headaches will continue to recur.  You can instead use acupuncture to move towards long-term resolution.

The Chinese medicine system identifies headaches arising from dysfunction in various organ systems or channels (meridians), each of which will present differently in terms of location and nature of pain.  We will identify which type of headache you suffer from and what is causing it, and then we use acupuncture to help your body-mind re-establish health and correct the cause of the headaches.

What can I expect in an acupuncture treatment?

I will initially ask you many questions – about the nature and location of pain (is the pain dull or sharp, is it mostly on your forehead or temples, behind the eyes or base of the neck), and about your overall health (your digestion, skin, diet, work habits and personal history).  This helps me identify where the dysfunction is occurring, and what may be causing it in the first place.

A key to understanding your health is that symptoms are a sign that something in your life is not working.  By simply masking symptoms we keep living lives that are out of balance and the issue doesn’t resolve.  Through the course of treatment, we need to understand what’s really going on for you and tailor the treatment accordingly.  It is highly individualised.  You may also discover changes you need to make in your life – such as changing unhelpful habits – that will assist long-term resolution.

How many treatments do I need?

How many treatments you need will depend on how long you have had suffered from migraines/ headaches and how quickly you respond to acupuncture. In recent clinical trials, patient’s with migraines typically received 15 acupuncture treatments over a 12-week period to experience a significant reduction in frequency of attacks.

What other resources are available?

I have found that patients who present with migraine commonly experience stress and anxiety, and stress is a common trigger for tension headaches.  I developed a routine of simple meditation-acupressure-qigong-relaxation techniques to help bring a sense of calm and groundedness, suitable for anyone to do. It’s available to download as a video, here for free.

Where to from here?

You can book an appointment to see me here.  If you’re new to acupuncture and would like to have a chat first, you’re welcome to book a free 15-minute phone consultation to discuss your situation.   Contact me here.

Most importantly, begin to imagine what your life may feel like without headaches!

Keen to delve into the scientific literature supporting acupuncture for headaches?

Linde K, Allais G, Brinkhaus B, Fei Y, Mehring M, Vertosick EA, et al. ‘Acupuncture for the prevention of episodic migraine’. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016(6):Cd001218. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD001218.pub3

  • Acupuncture is effective to relieve migraine. Acupuncture can reduce the frequency of attacks and is at least as effective as prophylactic drugs but with fewer reported side effects. Patient’s with migraines typically received 15 acupuncture treatments over a 12 week period to experience a significant reduction in frequency of attacks.

Linde, K., Allais, G., Brinkhaus, B., Fei, Y., Mehring, M., Shin, B.-C., Vickers, A. & White, A.R. 2016, ‘Acupuncture for the prevention of tension-type headache’, The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, vol. 4, p. CD007587.

  • Acupuncture is effective to reduce the frequency of chronic tension-type headache.
By Keryn Hawker Acupuncture, Nourishing Life (yangsheng) , , , ,

Your emotions may be contributing to your health issue, here’s what you can do about it (Part 2)

We learned in Part 1 that emotions often contribute to health issues – including back, neck and shoulder pain, digestive complaints, fertility, migraine and high blood pressure. We also learned that by avoiding excess and not repressing emotions, our Qi and blood can flow unhindered which is necessary for good health. In this Part 2, we discuss common causes of mental and emotional imbalance and what you can do about it.