Javea Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine centre

22/06/2025

I tried to share this here on Facebook, but was not allowed!

04/02/2025

Last time in China for WFAS conference 2007!

29/11/2024

BEATING COLD AND FLU WITH TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE (TCM)
Winter tends to be the time we are most vulnerable to colds and influenza. A lot of people suffer not only from the respiratory symptoms of colds and flu, but also may develop various complications of these diseases, some of which can be serious. Children, the elderly and people with suppressed immune systems or chronic diseases are more prone to these complications. Western medicine tends to deal with these diseases through the widespread use of flu shots, which ‘’strengthen’’ the immune system against the most prevalent type of flu. These flu shots can avert the most serious consequences of infection, but they cannot prevent or cure a common cold.
The common cold and flu are acute viral infections, conventional medicine has no cure for.
Bed rest and increased fluid intake are generally suggested to make life more comfortable. Aspirin, nasal decongestants and other medications are prescribed.
When last in China a couple of months ago, I was reminded how deeply rooted Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) really is. During a conference break in a cafeteria I saw people drinking a herbal tea before lunch. It was of course beginning of flu season and they were drinking a concoction to prevent colds and flu. They told me that every school in China offers the students these herbs for preventive purposes.
In China, these anti-cold and flu formulas will be found in every household. I don’t think you could find a Chinese who has never taken one. Most of these effective and time tested herbal formulas come from two very important schools in TCM:
The school of cold-induced febrile diseases founded by Zhang Zhongjing (150-219 AD)
The school of seasonal febrile diseases founded by Wu Ju Tong (1757 -1841)
The use of herbal formulas to prevent and treat colds and flu is one of the most successful aspects of TCM. Specific treatment practices and formulas have been handed down from the earliest schools to the modern universities of China.
In TCM, patterns are differentiated according to the imbalances of the body and the causes and stages of the disease. Herbal formulas are always recommended because they are stronger and more effective than single herbs.
Following are 3 examples of such patterns.
Wind-heat pattern: symptoms include: fever, sweating, headache, sweating, runny nose with yellowish mucous, sore throat and productive cough.
Wind-cold pattern: symptoms include: chill and mild fever, no sweating, chest congestion, runny nose with clear mucous, itchy throat and a cough with clear mucous
Deficiency pattern: Most older people and people with chronic illness fall into this category. They tend to get colds and flu at every seasonal change and in every flu season. Their energy is low, immune systems weak and they have problems recovering from prolonged illness. When they catch a cold or flu from one of the above patterns, they will get similar formulas plus immune enhancing ones to prevent recurrence of the disease.
It should be clear from the above that it is important to see a qualified practitioner in order to get the proper treatment for your condition. I do not encourage people to self-prescribe, although some standard formulas can be taken as prescribed.
Last, but not least, Acupuncture has for at least 2000 years been an effective tool for common colds and flu and is today still being used for that in combination with herbs.
Next time more about immune deficiency and TCM.
Robert Vandevelde
Former President of the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association.

08/11/2024

Golf in AU!

07/11/2024

Acupuncture as preventive medicine: Autumn
Following article is in answer to a question e-mailed to me a couple of weeks ago. Can Acupuncture keep me healthy? Short answer: yes!
Regular readers will remember me referring to the Nei Jing Su Wen (the yellow emperor’s classic of internal medicine) as the bible of Chinese Medicine. And here again I quote:
“The sages of antiquity did not treat those who were already sick, but those who were not sick... When a disease has already broken out and is only then treated, would that not be as bad as to wait for thirst before digging a well, or to wait to go into war before casting weapons?”
These words express the primary importance of Chinese medicine as preventive medicine.
Historically in China, each village was under the care of a physician. In return, they took care of him (fed him, clothed him, etc.) So it was the physician’s job to keep the people from the village from getting sick in the first place. Once sick, they could not look after him, so it made more sense to treat them to keep them healthy.
The most prestigious position for a Chinese doctor was to become the Emperor’s doctor. Only problem was, if the emperor got sick, the doctor could end up being executed. So for him, preventive medicine could be a matter of life and death.
In Chinese medicine we often talk about the five phases (Wu Xing), often wrongly translated as the five elements. They are: Fire-earth-metal-water and wood. Through observation and theorising, numerous correspondences were discovered. Things as diverse as compass directions, seasons, taste, human organs, emotions, foods, tissues colours etc. were associated with a particular phase. And this is what we use in preventive medicine. For example: Fire is the phase of summer, heat, south, heart, red, bitter taste, blood vessels etc.
Autumn
The Neijing Su Wen says: “In the three months of autumn all things in nature reach their full maturity. The grains ripen and harvesting occurs. The heavenly energy cools, as does the weather. The winds begin to stir. This is the changing or pivoting point when the Yang, or active phase turns into its opposite the Yin, or passive phase. One should retire with the sunset and arise with the dawn. Just as the weather in autumn turns harsh, so does the emotional climate. It is therefore important to remain calm and peaceful, refraining from depression so that one can make the transition to winter smoothly. This is the time to gather one’s spirit and energy, be more focussed and not allow desires to run wild. One must keep the Lung energy free, full, clean and quiet. This means practicing breathing exercises to enhance Lung Qi. Also, one should remain from smoking and grief, the emotion of the Lungs (metal). This will prevent the kidney or digestive problems in the winter. If this natural order is violated, damage will occur to the lungs, resulting in diarrhoea with undigested food in winter. This comprises the body’s ability to store in winter”. Remember this was written ± 2000 years ago!
During the change from one season to the next, much goes on in the environment that causes the body to adapt. Changes in light, temperature and humidity influence the natural cycles and rhythms of our bodies. At certain periods of the year, the body has more difficulty adapting, and this can tire us and leave the body more vulnerable to disease. By intervening at these times with treatments such as Acupuncture, the body has a better chance to maintain its strength. Helping the body function more optimally, allows many systems, including the immune system, to fulfil their role more effectively. Look after yourself, look after your body!
Any questions regarding this article or Chinese Medicine in general, please call me at 699634859, or mail me at: robertleentje@gmail.com
Robert Vandevelde
Former President Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association.

12/09/2024

ACUPUNCTURE AND BACK PAIN

Back pain affects around 70% of the adult population. So if you are experiencing backache of any kind at least you know you’re not alone! Backache is one of the major causes of human suffering and pain, and each year many valuable working hours are lost because of it.
However, Acupuncture provides a highly effective therapy in the treatment and relief of this widespread problem.
If you are suffering any kind of backache, it could be the result of any one or a combination of some of the following problem

Physical trauma:
Damage to ligaments, tendons and muscle sprain (caused by accidents, lifting, incorrect bending and overwork). Also vertebral joint problems, usually due to heavy work, lifting and injury.

Back pain can also be caused by disc compression through lifting, twisting bending and so on, usually affecting the nerve pathways down the legs.

Emotional:
Muscle spasm from anxiety, stress or simply being up-tight, a product of modern society.

Structural changes:
Usually a process of aging where discs degenerate and arthritic conditions prevail.

Female Disorders:
Like Pelvic inflammatory disease causing referred pain from pelvic area to the lower back.

GETTING RIGHT TO THE POINT!

To correctly treat lower back pain, I need to be given a clear understanding of the problem so that the appropriate treatment can be utilized.

I will than make an assessment and diagnosis and formulate a treatment plan which will treat the cause of the problem and relieve the pain you’re experiencing.

Much of this will be based on my knowledge of your lifestyle. Do you play sport? Have you had any falls or accidents? Do you do a lot of sitting in your daily work routine? Have you experienced any prior damage to ligaments, tendons or muscles? Do you experience emotional stress or have any joint problems, or degenerative conditions like arthritis?

So if you’re bothered by persistent back pain please come and see me and let me help make your weekdays feel like weekends!

09/08/2024

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON ACUPUNCTURE

What problems can be treated by Acupuncture?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has indicated that Acupuncture is effective in the following conditions:
Acute and chronic pain relief, Trigeminal neuralgia, Headaches and Migraine, Cervical, thoracic and lower back pain, Sciatica, ¨frozen shoulder¨, Tennis elbow, Post operative pain relief, Arthritis, Neurological syndromes, Fibromyalgia.
Gastro intestinal disorders: Gastritis, gastric hyperacidity, chronic Duodenal ulcers, acute and chronic Colitis, Dysentery, Constipation, Diarrhoea, hiccough.
Respiratory system: Common cold, bronchitis, bronchial asthma (in children or adults when uncomplicated), Sinusitis, Rhinitis, tonsillitis.
Gynaecology: Early, late or irregular periods, Dysmenorrhoea, Amenorrhea, Pre menstrual tension, Menopausal syndrome, Leucorrhoea, infertility.
In addition Acupuncture is used to treat a host of other problems.

Does it hurt?

In Chinese, Acupuncture is ¨butong¨ (Painless).
However if the correct stimulus of the needle has been obtained, the patient should feel some cramping, heaviness, distension, tingling or electric sensation either around the needle or travelling up or down the affected pathway or meridian. In Chinese this is called ¨Te Qi¨ or energy sensation. In any case, if there is any discomfort, it is usually mild.

How deep do the needles go?

That depends upon the nature of the problem, the underlying anatomy of the points selected, the patient’s size, age and constitution. In general the needles are inserted from 5mm to 25mm in depth.

Can I get infections from the needles?

No. A qualified Acupuncturist uses pre-sterilised, individually-packed disposable needles, thus absolutely insuring there is no transmission of communicable disease from patient to patient.

Do Acupuncturists only use needles?

No. As an integral part of what in English is called Acupuncture, most qualified practitioners are also trained to use a number of adjunctive therapies.
These typically include Moxibustion, which is the burning of the herb Artemisia vulgaris Sinensis over the affected area, Cupping, electronic stimulation, Laser, Magneto therapy and various styles of manipulative therapies such as, massage, Shiatsu and or Tuina massage.

How many treatments will I need?

That depends on the nature, severity and duration of each individual’s complaint. Generally, five to fifteen treatments are adequate for the majority of ailments. Many acute conditions may only require a couple o treatments, and some degenerative conditions may require scores of treatments. However, the patient has the right to expect that their major complaints will be addressed and treated in a direct and timely manner.

Is it safe?

Acupuncture is very safe when done by a qualified practitioner. Unfortunately, a number of people, including Physio’s, Chiropractors and Doctors use some form of Acupuncture with very little or no training. The potential dangers should be quite obvious and are well documented!

If you have any other questions regarding Acupuncture, I will be more than happy to discuss these with you.

ROBERT VANDEVELDE
Fellow of the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA)
Former President of AACMA
Honorary member Acupuncture Ethics and Standard Organisation
Active member World Federation of Acupuncture societies
Tel: 699.634.859

31/07/2024

Still here for August!

15/03/2024

07/03/2024

Just heard, my colleague and friend dr. Erik Rempt just passed away! Very sad!

07/03/2024

Some appointments still available!

14/02/2024

ACUPUNCTURE & CHINESE MEDICINE
ROBERT VANDEVELDE (B.Sc Acupuncture)
FORMER PRESIDENT AUSTRALIAN ACUPUNCTURE and CHINESE MEDICINE ASSOCIATION (AACMA)
INTERNATIONAL LECTURER
OVER 40 YEARS EXPERIENCE
FOR APPOINTMENTS PLEASE CALL: 699634859
HOUSE VISITS AVAILABLE
OR EMAIL: robertleentje@gmail.com