Living with arthritis can feel like a constant battle against stiffness, pain, and fatigue. It can rob you of the simple joys – a leisurely walk, gardening, or playing with grandchildren. If you’re tired of just managing symptoms and are looking for a way to address the root causes of your discomfort, you’ve come to the right place.
At Almond Wellness Centre, we see you as more than your diagnosis. We use the time-honoured wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to create a personalised plan that not only eases your pain but also helps restore your vitality and mobility.
Ready to move with more ease?
Book Online Today or call us at 03 8802 1519 to discover how we can help.
Conventional medicine rightly focuses on the inflammation and joint degeneration in conditions like Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Traditional Chinese Medicine offers a complementary perspective that looks at your whole body’s ecosystem.
In TCM, arthritis is often seen as a condition of “blockage” or “stagnation.” When your body’s vital energy (Qi) and blood cannot flow freely through the joints, pain, swelling, and stiffness occur. This stagnation can be caused or worsened by a few key factors:
Wind, Cold, and Dampness: Think of these as environmental influences that can invade the body. You might notice your pain worsens in cold, damp weather—a classic sign of these factors obstructing the joints.
Underlying Weakness (Deficiency): Sometimes, the body lacks the essential energy or resources to nourish the joints and tendons. This is often linked to aging, chronic illness, or exhaustion, and can lead to the dull, chronic ache of OA.
Heat and Toxins: In conditions like RA, the body’s immune response can create intense inflammation and heat in the joints, leading to redness, swelling, and sharp pain.
By identifying your unique pattern, we can tailor a treatment that doesn’t just mask the pain but actively works to resolve the underlying imbalance.
How We Can Help: Our Holistic Toolkit for Arthritis
Our approach is multi-faceted, designed to provide relief and promote long-term joint health.
Acupuncture for Pain Relief and Healing
Acupuncture is far more than just pain relief. By inserting fine, sterile needles into specific points, we send signals to your body to:
Unblock Stagnation: Restoring the smooth flow of Qi and blood to reduce pain and stiffness.
Reduce Inflammation: Calming the inflammatory response that causes swelling and heat in the joints.
Trigger Natural Healing: Encouraging the release of your body’s own pain-relieving endorphins and anti-inflammatory compounds.
Modulate the Immune System: For autoimmune forms like RA, acupuncture can help regulate an overactive immune response.
Research Backs This Up:
A landmark study in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that acupuncture significantly reduced pain and improved function in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
Further research in the Journal of Clinical Rheumatology showed that acupuncture improved joint function and alleviated pain for rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Chinese Herbal Medicine: Your Personalised Internal Support
Herbs are a powerful way to extend your treatment beyond the clinic. We create custom formulas to target your specific type of arthritis. For example, we might use:
Frankincense (Ru Xiang) & Myrrh (Mo Yao): A powerful duo to invigorate blood flow and relieve pain.
Chinese Skullcap (Huang Qin): To clear heat and reduce inflammation, especially useful for RA.
Eucommia Bark (Du Zhong): To strengthen the bones and tendons, ideal for chronic weakness and lower back pain.
Clematis Root (Wei Ling Xian): To break through obstruction and ease stiffness, particularly in the limbs.
These formulas are prescribed by our qualified practitioners and can be taken as teas, powders, or capsules.
Supportive Therapies for Comprehensive Care
Tui Na (Chinese Therapeutic Massage): This isn’t a relaxing spa massage. Tui Na works to release deep-seated tension in the muscles around the joints, improve circulation, and break up adhesions.
Cupping Therapy: Excellent for relieving muscle stiffness and improving blood flow to affected areas, which can significantly reduce arthritic pain.
Lifestyle & Movement Guidance: We may discuss dietary choices that reduce inflammation and recommend gentle exercises like Tai Chi or Qi Gong, which are renowned for improving flexibility, balance, and joint health without strain.
Acupuncture for Arthritis FAQ
Q: I have osteoarthritis in my knees. Can acupuncture really help?
A: Yes, absolutely. Acupuncture is particularly effective for osteoarthritis. It helps by reducing inflammation, relieving pain, and improving circulation to the joint, which can support the health of the remaining cartilage and slow degeneration. Many of our patients report being able to reduce their reliance on pain medication and return to activities they love.
Q: How is treating Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) with TCM different from treating Osteoarthritis (OA)?
A: This is a key distinction. While OA is often seen as a “wear and tear” issue, RA is an autoimmune, inflammatory condition. Our treatment for RA focuses strongly on clearing heat and toxins from the body, modulating the immune system, and cooling the inflammation. The acupuncture points and herbal formulas we choose will reflect this different approach.
Q: Are the Chinese herbs safe to take with my current arthritis medications?
A: Our practitioners are aware of any herb-drug interactions. We will conduct a thorough health history and will only prescribe herbs that are safe and appropriate for you. It is crucial that you inform us of all medications and supplements you are taking so we can create a completely safe and effective treatment plan.
Q: How long will it take to see results?
A: This varies depending on the type and severity of your arthritis, as well as your overall health. Some people feel significant relief after just a few sessions. For chronic conditions, we often recommend a course of treatment, such as weekly sessions for 4-6 weeks, to achieve stable and lasting results. We will be transparent with you about our expected timeline from the beginning.
Your Partners in Joint Health at Almond Wellness Centre
With clinics in Coburg and Ringwood, we are here to make holistic arthritis care accessible. We believe in treating the whole person, not just the painful joint. Our goal is to empower you with the tools and treatments you need to live a more active, comfortable life.
Take the first step towards a life with less pain.
Call us at 03 8802 1519 or book your appointment online today.
References
Annals of Internal Medicine (2004): Acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis.
Journal of Clinical Rheumatology (2008): Acupuncture for rheumatoid arthritis.
If you know the dread of that familiar aura, the throbbing pain that takes over, and the days lost to darkness and quiet rooms, you understand that migraines are so much more than “just a headache.” They can feel like a force that controls your life. If you’re tired of just managing attacks and are looking for a way to reduce their very frequency, we want you to know there is a gentle, natural path forward.
At Almond Wellness Centre Melbourne, we see the person behind the pain. We use the proven power of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to not only relieve your acute migraine pain but to help rebalance your body’s systems, making you less susceptible to them in the first place.
Ready to reduce your reliance on painkillers and reclaim your days?
Book Online Today or call us at 03 8802 1519 to discover how we can help.
Understanding Migraines: More Than Just a Headache
From a Western perspective, migraines are a complex neurological event involving abnormal brain activity, blood vessel changes, and inflammatory pathways. They’re often triggered by a perfect storm of factors like stress, hormonal shifts, certain foods, lack of sleep, or sensory overload.
Traditional Chinese Medicine provides a complementary framework. We view migraines as a sign of imbalance, often involving:
Liver Yang Rising: This is one of the most common patterns. Think of it as a hyperactive energy that surges upwards to the head, causing throbbing, vascular-type pain, often with irritability—a classic migraine.
Qi and Blood Stagnation: When the smooth flow of energy and blood is blocked, it can cause sharp, stabbing, fixed pain. This can relate to tension headaches that trigger or accompany migraines.
Phlegm-Dampness Obscuring the Clear Orifices: This pattern can manifest as a heavy, foggy-headed pain with nausea and dizziness, as if a cloud has settled in your brain.
Deficiency of Qi and Blood: When your body’s fundamental energy is depleted, it can’t properly nourish the head, leading to a dull, lingering headache after the main attack has passed, along with general fatigue.
By identifying your unique pattern, we can move beyond a one-size-fits-all solution and create a treatment plan that addresses why you get migraines, not just where it hurts.
How We Can Help: A Dual Strategy for Lasting Relief
Our approach combines the immediate calming effects of acupuncture with the sustained, internal support of herbal medicine.
Acupuncture: Calming the Neurological Storm
Acupuncture can be a valuable support for people who experience migraines. It works on several important pathways that influence migraine frequency and intensity:
Regulates blood flow: Acupuncture helps smooth the constriction and dilation of blood vessels in the head, easing the vascular changes that often drive migraine pain.
Modulates pain pathways: It encourages the release of your body’s natural pain-relieving chemicals, including endorphins and serotonin, both of which are closely connected to migraine mechanisms.
Reduces inflammation: Treatment may help reduce pro-inflammatory substances that contribute to the severity of migraine episodes.
Supports nervous system balance: By helping your body move out of “fight-or-flight” and into a calmer parasympathetic state, acupuncture can lower stress levels—a well-known migraine trigger.
Eases nausea and digestive discomfort: Many people with migraines also experience nausea or sickness. Acupuncture can gently support these symptoms as well. If you’d like to learn more, you can read our guide on the 5 best acupuncture and acupressure points for nausea and sickness.
The Evidence Is Compelling:
A large Cochrane review concluded that acupuncture is effective at reducing the frequency of migraines and may be just as effective as preventive medications.
Another study in the journal Pain found that acupuncture was superior to sham acupuncture and had similar effectiveness to the migraine medication flunarizine.
Common Acupuncture Points for Migraine:
During a session, we may use points on your head, neck, and limbs. Common points include:
Feng Chi (GB20) at the base of your skull to subdue rising energy and relieve headache pain.
He Gu (LI4) on your hand, a powerful point for pain relief throughout the body.
Tai Yang (EX-HN5) on your temples to ease tension and throbbing.
Chinese Herbal Medicine: Building Resilience from Within
Herbs provide the long-term support to address your underlying imbalance. Your custom formula might include:
Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum): Known as the “headache king,” it powerfully invigorates blood flow to stop pain.
Gastrodia (Tian Ma): Extinguishes “Liver Wind,” perfect for the vertigo and violent throbbing of a migraine.
White Peony (Bai Shao): Nourishes the blood and calms the Liver, helping to prevent attacks from starting.
Lifestyle & Trigger Management
We’ll work with you to identify your personal triggers and provide practical advice on diet, sleep hygiene, and stress management techniques to empower you in your daily life.
Your Migraine Questions, Answered
Q: Can acupuncture stop a migraine that’s already started?
A: Yes, absolutely. Many patients come to us during an active migraine attack. Treatment can often reduce the intensity and duration of the attack, sometimes even aborting it completely. We focus on points that quickly subdue pain and calm the nervous system.
Q: I’m on preventive migraine medication. Can I still try acupuncture?
A: Definitely. Acupuncture is a wonderful complementary therapy. In fact, many people find that as acupuncture helps reduce their migraine frequency, they can work with their doctor to potentially lower their medication dosage. We will always take your current medications into account when creating your treatment plan.
Q: How many sessions will I need before I see a change?
A: Many people notice a reduction in the intensity or frequency of their migraines within the first 4-6 sessions. For lasting preventive results, we typically recommend a consistent course of treatment, such as weekly sessions for 6-8 weeks, to help re-regulate your body’s systems. We then taper down to a maintenance plan that works for you.
Q: I’m scared of needles. What does acupuncture feel like?
A: This is very common! The needles we use are incredibly fine, much thinner than a hypodermic needle. Most people feel only a tiny pinch upon insertion, followed by a sense of heaviness, warmth, or relaxation. Acupuncture is not typically painful; in fact, many people find the treatments so relaxing they fall asleep.
Q: Do you only treat the head during a session?
A: Not at all. While we may use some local points on your head, neck, and temples, we often use points on your arms, legs, hands, and feet. In TCM, these distal points are incredibly powerful for influencing the energy and blood flow to your head and are a core part of effective migraine treatment.
With clinics in Coburg and Ringwood, we are here to provide a supportive and understanding environment. We know how debilitating migraines can be, and we are committed to being your partners in finding a sustainable solution.
Take the first step toward fewer migraines and more good days.
Call us at 03 8802 1519 or book your appointment online today.
References
Linde et al. Acupuncture for migraine prophylaxis. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (1), CD001218.
Cochrane, D. J. (2016). Acupuncture as a treatment for migraine: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. The Journal of Headache and Pain, 17(1), 1-9.
Wang et al. Efficacy of acupuncture for migraine prophylaxis: A single-blinded, double-dummy, randomised controlled trial. Pain, 158(10), 1864-1871.
Chemotherapy can sometimes lower your platelet count, which increases the risk of bleeding and other complications. Chinese herbal medicine has been used for centuries to treat various health issues, including low platelet counts. Some scientific evidence suggests that these herbs might help boost platelet counts during chemotherapy, but more research is needed.
How Can Chinese Herbal Medicine Help?
Our registered Chinese medicine practitioners will assess your overall health and make a Pattern Diagnosis based on Chinese medicine principles. They will then recommend an herbal formula and treatment plan tailored to the severity of your low platelet count.
You can use Chinese herbal medicine alongside other treatments, but always under the supervision of a healthcare provider.
Research and Reviews
Shen Cao Granules Study: This study found that Shen Cao granules helped reduce low platelet counts in chemotherapy patients with gastrointestinal cancer. It also shortened the duration of low platelet counts and reduced hospital stays and costs.
Chang Gung Platelet Elevating Formula (CGPEF): A 2018 study on gynecologic cancer patients showed that CGPEF might increase platelet counts during chemotherapy. The study was small, so more research is needed.
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: A review of 12 trials found that Chinese herbal medicine could increase platelet counts and reduce bleeding risks in chemotherapy patients. However, more studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Summary
Chinese herbal medicine has traditionally been used to boost platelet counts. Always consult your doctor and a registered Chinese medicine practitioner to ensure safe and effective treatment.
References
Chunfeng Yu et al., “Effects of Shen Cao Granules on Chemotherapy-Induced Thrombocytopenia in Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial,” Integrative Cancer Therapies, 2019.
Yi-Hong Wu et al., “Use of Chinese Herbal Medicine Improves Chemotherapy-Induced Thrombocytopenia among Gynecological Cancer,” Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2018.
Li YX et al., “Effectiveness of Chinese Herbal Medicine in Improving Platelet Count among Patients with Chemotherapy-Induced Thrombocytopenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis,” BMC Complement Altern Med, 2017.
Recently, there has been a large increase in the number of patients who come to our clinic for neck related symptoms. In addition to neck shoulder and back pain, some people may don’t known that their symptoms are neck related, such as vertigo, dizziness, numbness in the fingers, sore arms, palpitations and anxiety.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions in the past two years, many people get used to use mobile phones at home, and even addict to them. People surf the Internet, and connect others more often on social medias such as facebook, instagram, Wechat, or watch movies/videos on youtube/Tiktok. And, it took a long time.
The use of smartphones can easily lead to neck related diseases for two reasons:
Firstly, the pressure on neck increases.
When using a mobile phone, you lower your head more, and your cervical spine tilts more forward than when you are sitting and looking straight. This increases the pressure on the cervical spine.
Secondly, using a mobile phone is more addictive.
The time spent on the phone is often much longer than you think. Many of our patients use their phones for more than 5-6 hours a day, and it’s not uncommon for some to exceed 12 hours!
Excessive smartphone use can trigger or worsen neck-related symptoms. It has become the new “pandemic” during Covid 19.
Here is a reminder for everyone – Please check your phone’s screen time, preferably no more than 2 hours a day.
COVID-19 has changed the way we live our everyday lives and there is no sign that it will end any time soon. With the periodic and unpredictable lockdowns, we have all had to quickly adapt to this new lifestyle. With more and more online studies, children are using digital devices almost every day. As such, internet dependence/addiction has become a common issue.
Addiction to digital devices causes many bad habits. From losing hours or sleep to losing motivation for fitness and wellbeing, many of our children are spending hours engaging in YouTube or TikTok video clips instead of achieving something more meaningful. These bad habits reduce dopamine production and release, which results in emotional numbness and negative feelings. The rates of anxiety and depression are skyrocketing.
As parents, we want our children to stay away from overuse of electronic devices and feel better. Owing to lockdown, it has become one of the biggest challenges.
Recognise and Accept
Ignoring or trying to change how your kids think or feel won’t work. Lecturing them about their internet usage only creates more fights. Keep in mind that most of them would play sports or meet friends if it were allowed. Allow your children to have and express their feelings in a healthy way if they are anxious, impatient or frustrated. Give time for them to settle. Just being there for them already means a lot. Admitting and accepting that their feelings are true and real can relax their young souls.
11 Ways to Interact with Your Child Under 12
Here are 11 ways for you to interact with children under 12 years to keep them away from digital devices:
Encourage them to write down or draw their present feelings or a place that relaxes your child. (e.g. mountain, ocean, different season.)
Go on a 10 minute walk together.
Listen to music.
Take a bath.
Give every family member a hug.
Play with clay/play-doh (the sensation of touch is engaging and allows them to just be in present moment)
Stretch for 10 minutes.
Read an article or a story.
Dance to and/or sing a song (or a few songs)!
Make a dessert (foods like jelly and egg tarts are simple and easy to make).
Do an experiment (make your own Oobleck: this only uses cornflour, water and some food colour – and it’ll keep your kids occupied for a whole afternoon!).
3-Minute Mindfulness Breathing Exercises To Engage The Five Senses
Mindfulness breathing exercises can help to calm your child. Here is a simple 3-minute exercise for you to do with your child:
Firstly, take a few deep breaths slowly, then
Ask your child to name three things that they can see
Ask your child to name three things that they can hear
Ask your child to name three things that they can feel
Ask your child to name three things that they can smell
Let your child sip some water and ask them to name three feelings while they can feel the water down their throat
5 Topics to Explore Your Teenage Child’s Thoughts
Once your child is in a calmer state of mind, they are more likely to chat with you about how they are feeling. Building a solid relationship between you and your child enables you to participate more in your child’s life.
Below are 5 topics that might be interesting for you to explore more about your teenager children’s thoughts and plan for the future.
How is your child prioritizing their tasks throughout the day?
What are their interests and/or hobbies?
What are their goals for the future in terms of further study or career direction?
Do they need help in setting and achieving study goals?
What do they value in life?
We hope that this article gives you some ideas about how to calm and be present with your child during this chaotic COVID-19 pandemic.
Breaking Free from the Cycle of Migraine Pain
