Medicine that gets to the point

27/08/2024

Hi everyone
As you would have heard, either through email or me personally, the clinic is closing. Mandy and Bob have been chiropractors for a very long time and now are transitioning to well deserved retirement. You would have also heard I am taking a 12 month sabbatical from end of November to reevaluate and regroup after 17 years in this business and career.

But what does that mean for acupuncture and me?

I’ll still be working and treating for the months of September October and November this year, but then I will pause my AHPRA license as a registered acupuncturist and doctor of herbal medicine, and become a non practicing acupuncturist and doctor of herbal medicine for the 12 month sabbatical.
During these next 3 months I am able to refer you to other local practitioners with an accompanying referral letter. I have been trying to secure a short term lease at another venue, however nothing has been finalised as yet. I’ll also be offering a house call service only, that is I come to you (with pins and my equipment) at a mutually agreeable time. The cost for this will be based on standard consultation fees plus a travel fee, as distance travelled from the ascot vale clinic. My last day at the clinic is September 7 2024. House calls available from week beginning September 16. Please contact me via email tcm.dr@hotmail.com

I am very grateful for each of you that trusted me as we used ancient theories with modern science and research to find a better you. I am thankful for the patients that trusted me to treat their various ailments especially the women that trusted me to take part in their fertility and menstrual journeys, for the countless babies that were born, and the hot flushes extinguished, and I will always be humbled by the fact that 100% of my business came from word of mouth. Thank you and don’t forget to make time for you, practice self care and know that you are worth it.

17/01/2023

Beth is outstanding and someone I whole heartedly recommend as a doula. Her professionalism and knowledge will assist you in the birth you deserve. Go and check her out!!

Something really exciting is happening over Childbirth Education Australia for those of you that don't know. Claire Wyborn and I ( Belly Beans Doula ) and been slogging away writing, filming and producing videos for our online Childbirth Education Course. Our first course - Childbirth Essentials is launching with our BRAND NEW website in a matter of weeks and we're so excited.
We'd be so greatful if you could share this news with your pregnant friends and loved ones.
Www.childbirtheducationaustralia.com.au

01/09/2018

Sorry it’s been a bit quiet here of late but after 4 years of fertility tx and intervention, from herbs to acupuncture, and chiro to bio resonance therapy, as well as the crazy dairy/gluten/sugar free diets, I have someone I’d like you to meet...

Abigail Scarlett McNear. Born 26/8/18 802am weighing 3.71kg and 51cm long. It was a perfect hypnobirth with no drugs needed or wanted. We are all doing well and finding our feet at home as a family of 4.

I will be back in clinic officially week beginning Monday 1/10/18. For the first few weeks I will be available Monday mornings 930-1130 and will increase availability from there.

Appointments can be made online or via the clinic 93708022. In the meantime feel free to email any questions. I hope you are well
Lana

04/02/2018

2018 TCM change of hours

Effective March 2018

Dr Lana is now available Friday evenings from 430pm till late. Saturdays from 1130-3pm.
* Weekday appointments by arrangement.
* Early morning appointments by arrangement.
Please call the clinic 93708022 or email tcm.dr@hotmail.com for your next appointment

20/10/2017

A reminder I’m away for 2 weeks..last minute appointments avail wed 24/10 8-11am and 2 left for Friday 27/10. All booked out today!

15/08/2017

When that awful winter cough comes along, 2 little herbs can help...my son is almost 5 years old and I can proudly say he has not once had antibiotics...traditional Chinese herbs for the win :)

04/08/2017

I have always said there is a place for Western Medicine and surgery, but there is also a place for Chinese Medicine and what it can offer in terms of herbs and acupuncture, and in a perfect world the two would co-exist and combine flawlessly.

Acupuncture has been around for thousands of years, as we know, and can be used to treat a wide range of disorders and diseases include hormonal imbalances, allergies such as hayfever, and insomnia. Due to the huge number of deaths and addiction due to opioid usage, there has been a lot of research and focus into the effectiveness of other pain management solutions.

In recent years we have seen an increase in the research around acupuncture in treating pain and painful conditions, such as disc herniation, and rotator cuff injury amongst other pain conditions. This has seen the use of Acupuncture in trials around Australian Hospitals within the Emergency Department including The Northern Hospital in Epping VICTORIA, amongst others.

Previous research has shown that using acupuncture to treat chronic pain is comparable to morphine, but acupuncture is safer and doesn't lead to dependence. Research has shown time and time again that Acupuncture is an alternative to opioid analgesics. Opioid medications that are otherwise used for pain relief in the ED include morphine, fentanyl and oxynorm.

Not all hospitals offer Acupuncture in Australia but due to recent research, excitingly Acupuncture will be available in all hospitals in the United States from 01 January 2018, as a "non pharmacological pain treatment modality". Surely this means that as we see Acupuncture being used in Emergency Rooms in the US, with the shift in medicine we would expect it to gather momentum around the world and thus should see acupuncture in hospitals everywhere. Maybe my fuzzy notion of combining the better parts of both types of medicine isn't actually too far away?

Submissions to Government Agencies As the interest in acupuncture has grown and yet much misinformation regarding acupuncture persists, The Acupuncture Now Foundation has sent in submissions to policymakers in different countries and aided several groups in their submissions. Here is a list of ANF s...

26/07/2017

26/07/2017

This week is National Pain Week, and it is highlighted in world media that a massive shift with pain management is afoot, the huge amount of deaths and addiction due to opioid usage is undeniable, and the science is IN around acupuncture's effectiveness with ACUTE and CHRONIC pain.

Acupuncture is being used in Emergency Rooms in the United States, and this shift in medicine is expected to gather momentum around the world in hospitals elsewhere.

Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association Website

24/07/2017

https://www.facebook.com/AACMA/photos/a.10150545711734557.395878.144092519556/10155529288479557/?type=3

National Pain Week
24-30 July
Acupuncture has long been known to relieve pain, but finally there is some "research papers" to support it, come in for pins this week and remember pain doesn't have to be "the new normal"

Pain can be isolating, invisible to others, and it is often misunderstood. Thanks to the Acupuncture Evidence Project, and the research being published on Acupuncture and it's effectiveness, Chronic AND Acute Pain is now recognized around the world as something Acupuncture can treat.

So much so, ER Departments in the USA are using acupuncture to treat their patients, and the number of hospitals employing acupuncture to manage pain is expected to rise around the world.

Taken from the website, www.nationalpainweek.org.au below, some wonderful feedback at the conference of Chronic Pain Australia on what PATIENTS want to manage pain.

Conference 2016 - Westmead Hospital.

At the conference last year Professor Stephen Leeder (SL) facilitated a discussion during the afternoon of 29 July and asked the audience:

"What would work for you in designing a useful pain service?"

This is what they said:

"The relationship between provider and receiver of pain management services is crucial for effective pain management.

The relationship involves being received, heard and acknowledged. Programs need to be tailored to that person as an individual. Multi-disciplinary teams with a holistic approach so that the person always feels heard and seen as an individual. It's about shared care and a change in direction from clinician being leader to being the coach. Compassionate care."

A timely reminder for any health practitioner working with pain, that your approach, communication and care is integral to assisting your patients.

For your nearest AACMA practitioner in Australia, call us on 1300 725 334, visit the website in our bio, or email aacma@acupuncture.org.au

01/07/2017

Acupuncture should be relaxing and enjoyable. It shouldn't be painful. When you hear your patient snoring on the table I assure you they have left stress at the front door.
Why not give it a try?

14/06/2017

It's "that" time of the year again...

Has winter got you fearing the flu or common cold? Is taking days (or weeks) off from work just not practical for you?

You'll want to read about these 5 simple ways to protect yourself during the Winter season - from a Chinese medicine perspective.

1. Dress warmly. Cold impedes circulation; if you're feeling chilly your body naturally works on overdrive to maintain function - wearing you out over the long run. Protect your kidneys (winter corresponds to this organ in Chinese medicine) and wear warmer layers on the legs and lower back. Consider a blanket draped over your knees when working at a desk. Keep your neck warm with a scarf.
2. Rest and retire. Pay more attention to getting a lot of sleep; go to bed earlier in the evening. Slow down and respect your body's need to conserve energy. Exercise regularly, but be mindful of moderating the intensity - slow and steady wins the race when sustaining immunity (warding off colds and flu) during the Winter months.
3. Don't overexert your emotional state unnecessarily. Emotions play a central role in the preservation of your energy. Minimise social obligations if you find them draining. Consider ways to relax and pay attention to your inner world. You could try some meditation/yoga to assist the process of letting go of your key emotional stressors (often derived from work, the commute or a demanding home life). Don't feel guilty about getting some much needed 'me time' - it will actually make you more productive and better able to support others.
4. Avoid too much dairy in your diet to reduce phlegm. Pre-existing mucus in your body only contributes further to the experience of poor health. Also limit alcohol, caffeine and overly-processed foods.
5. Eat with the season. Eat warm, cooked foods that are nourishing. One tip is to use a slow cooker to cook them for longer periods of time. Eating soups, stews, porridge and similar meals (using ingredients that are seasonal) are recommended to maintain health during the Winter months.