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November Newsletter
06-Jan-2010
- Chinese medicine and midlife women's health
- Next ‘Managing Midlife Weight Gain’ Seminar: Saturday 5 December
- Tina Turns 70
Chinese medicine and midlife women’s health
While few of us understand the complexities of Chinese medicine, many women swear by it. Sally Austin, Hae-Uk (pronounced Hey-ook) Hong and Kelly Seipel are Brisbane-based Chinese medicine practitioners, using Chinese herbs as well as acupuncture. Sally’s clinic is in Morningside, and Hae-Uk and Kelly work together in Bardon.
Sally lists a broad range of women’s health issues that Chinese medicine can help, including infertility, polycystic ovaries, pregnancy issues, anxiety, depression, insomnia, fibroids, endometriosis and menopause.
Her claim that “I haven’t had anyone I couldn’t get back on track as far as hot flushes are concerned” will be music to some women’s ears.
She explains that Chinese medicine operates from a very different paradigm to Western medicine.“If we have a headache in the West, we take a Panadol. But from a Chinese medicine perspective, six women with headaches might need six different treatments because their headaches have different causes. Rather than treating symptoms, Chinese medicine attempts to get to the source of the issue.
“Despite these differences,” she says, “Chinese medicine is often used in conjunction with Western treatments”.
Hae-Uk says that in Chinese medicine, the pulse, abdomen and the tongue are especially important diagnostic tools. A person’s energy levels, sleep, appetite and bowel habits are also considered, along with factors such as the voice, temperament, digestion, body smell, pain and discomfort.
Even those of us who know next-to-nothing about Chinese medicine have probably heard of ‘qi’ (pronounced ‘chee’), which refers to our life force, and the opposing energies, yin and yang.
Kelly says, “Chinese medicine harmonises the qi, blood, yin and yang so the body functions well and in a balanced way.”
Meridians or energy channels are also key to this holistic system. Two that are important to midlife women are the Kidney and Liver meridians, though these refer to pathways through the body rather than the organs themselves.
According to Hae-Uk, kidney energy is our ‘vital energy’. Over time it declines, so it’s lower at age 70 than at age 40. Despite that, Chinese medicine can slow the decline.
One of the consequences of weakening kidney energy around menopause is what Hae-Uk calls a “disharmonious heat and cold pattern” in our bodies. This can result in hot flushes and low libido. Strengthening the kidney energy helps resolve those problems.
Liver energy is linked to emotions such as anger, frustration and depression and is responsible for storing blood. Stagnant liver energy can manifest as painful periods, migraines, endometriosis, fibroids, benign tumours or even cancer.
Hae-Uk explains that Chinese herbs and acupuncture work synergistically. “While herbs get the qi moving and clear stagnation of the blood and fluids, acupuncture also moves the qi. Together they bring about faster results and are more effective in severe cases”.
Chinese medicine practitioners often draw on other modalities to support their work. Sally is also skilled in massage, reflexology, reiki and the Bates method of realigning muscles, tendons and ligaments.
Hae-Uk and Kelly work alongside Bowen therapist, Karina Meacham. Bowen therapy uses gentle rolling movements across the muscles, tendons and nerves to help the body heal and rebalance itself.
While most acupuncture needles are painless and incredibly fine, Hae-Uk says that for those of us who hate the idea of needles, these other modalities are alternative ways of bringing about an energetic shift in the body.
If you haven’t ventured down this path already, Chinese medicine may be a great addition to your options for staying healthy.
Contact information
Sally Austin
Austin Therapies
59 Blackwood Avenue, Morningside
phone: 07 3899 6452
www.austintherapies.com.au
Hae-Uk Hong, Kelly Seipel & Karina Meacham
Ondol Oriental Medicine Clinic
256 Simpsons Rd, Bardon
phone: 07 3367 0100
www.ondol.com.au
‘Managing Midlife Weight Gain’ Seminar
Saturday 5 December
10.00am-4.00pm, 32 Finsbury Street, Newmarket
What we’ll cover on the day:
- Sources of midlife weight gain
- What’s wrong with “eat less and exercise more”
- What hormones have to do with it
- Why one-size-fits-all solutions don’t work
- Eating to suit your metabolism
- How to make changes that last a lifetime.
What you’ll receive:
- Up-to-date information
- Comprehensive notes
- A take-home booklet that includes a shopping list and dietary guidelines
- A delicious lunch to illustrate what you’re learning
- Structured follow-up support.
Feedback from previous participants:
Just brilliant info – it woke me up!! I’m now thinking about diet and exercise in a new light and I’m so excited about what’s possible. Anne N, Toowong
Genuinely helpful and allows each woman to pursue her own journey — not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. Info was new and went beyond the mainstream, but not too complicated. Jenny B, Gympie
If you want to make changes, this is the place to get what you need to do that. Judy G, The Gap
Loved the holistic approach, integrating exercise, diet, lifestyle needs, and an understanding of hormones. Julie M, Gold Coast
Really appreciated the information, the relaxing environment, and that you can take things on at your own pace. Thanks, loved the whole thing. Jo G, Ashgrove.
The cost is a great value $149 and the closing date for registration and payment is Friday 27 November. To register, go to www.fitandwell.com.au
Tina Turns 70
On 26 November, the woman dubbed the Queen of Rock and Roll, Tina Turner, celebrates her 70th birthday. Many of her signature songs, such as Simply the Best, What’s Love Got to Do with it, and Private Dancer were recorded in her mid-40s. Her big, sultry voice and energetic stage performances — not to mention her legs, lips and hair — made her one of the women who helped redefine middle-age. Happy Birthday, Tina!Until next time
Dr Rhonda Anderson