A beep signalled an SMS with the awaited results of my recent PCR test. I was struck immediately with shock, surprise and disbelief. It was positive. Throughout my life, during challenging times, I have always defaulted to pragmatism rather than panic. So, on receiving this news, I took a deep breath, sat down with my partner and worked out an action plan.

Like being in a rip in the ocean, the more we fight and resist the harder we make it. Being in iso can be the same. We can’t control our circumstances, but we can control how we respond to them.

As a health care practitioner, I was an early adopter, jumping at the chance to be vaccinated and receive the booster when it was available to me. So, despite testing positive to Covid-19, I knew my chances were good.

While I navigate iso, over the coming days I’ll share with you some ways to best prepare for the day you receive that SMS notice when your Covid-19 test returns positive and what to expect.

PREPARE

The government recommends treating mild Covid-19 symptoms like you would a seasonal flu with paracetamol or ibuprofen. A little while ago, my partner and I created a COVID-19 supplies box with all the medicines and paraphernalia we would need for this day. Please speak to your GP to see if these are suitable to your specific circumstances:

: Rapid Antigen Tests for household contacts

: Thermometer

: Pulse oximeter

: Ibuprofen

: Paracetamol

: Throat lozenges

: Betadine sore throat gargle

: Hydralyte

: N95 masks

Freezing bulk cooked meals is also a great idea and an enormous help during iso. Bolognese, lasagne and frozen New Zealand whiting fillets whiting fillets are my favourite options.

If you are asymptomatic or feel well enough, there are ways to keep active within your home. I’m using resistance tubes to help stretch and stay strong. You can purchase these from The WOD Life https://www.thewodlife.com.au/collections/the-wod-life/products/resistance-tubes. Foam rollers are also a great way to iron out stiff and tight muscles.

COMMUNICATIONS

The first comms you will receive from NSW Health will be an SMS alerting that you returned a POSITIVE result for COVID-19. It will ask you to complete the form through a link in the SMS which will triage your health risk factors.

You will also be asked to self-isolate for 7 days starting from the date you had the RAT or PCR test. This isolation requirement will include anyone else in your household or other close contacts. If your symptoms, including sore throat, runny nose, cough or shortness of breath, continue after the 7 days you will need to remain in self-isolation until all those symptoms clear.

If you develop severe symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest pain, call triple zero (000) immediately.

LOGISTICS

Don’t hurt the ones you love. Become your own contact tracer. Alert those who you had more than 4 hours recent contact with that you have tested positive, as they are now identified as close contacts. They will be required to also isolate for 7 days and get a RAT or PCR test.

Lean on your friends. Reach out to someone to be your logistics person on the “outside” for groceries or supplies. If they like you a lot, they may even bless you with delivering home cooked meals.

I know it seems illogical and counter intuitive but despite living in the same house, your household contacts or intimate partner may not have contracted COVID-19. Try to keep as separate from them as much as possible by isolating in a separate room and everyone should wear a N95 mask. Despite testing positive, my partner, who I live with, has tested negative on 2 x RATs and 2 x PCR tests. COVID-19 works in mysterious ways.

MENTAL WELLBEING

During iso, feelings of being alone or in a silo can come up. Form your own community by reaching out to friends and family, particularly to others isolating at the same time. A shared experience can lighten the burden. We have formed a What’s App group with others who are isolating as well.

Make a Telehealth appointment with your GP to get assessed for a mental health care plan to access psychology services under Medicare.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Rest. Drink water. Eat and rest some more.

Your body’s immune system, with the help of the vaccine, will do all the hard lifting fighting the virus. Help them by being kind to yourself.

If you develop severe symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest pain, call triple zero (000) immediately.

In my iso I am fortunate to currently be asymptomatic. If you find yourself in this place here are some recommendations that are keeping me sane:

: Yoga with Adriene. Adriene and her lovely Blue Healer dog Benji offer free YouTube yoga videos. She leads a calm, non-competitive guide to yoga.

: Insight timer meditation phone app

: Resistance tube exercises. I’ll be sharing some home training videos on this very soon.

FINAL NOTES

The thing my partner and I are looking forward to once we exit iso this weekend is immersing ourselves in the saltwater of Maroubra Beach.

Iso is teaching me how to be a good support person should one of my friends or loved ones go into isolation. Nothing will stop me from delivering gifts of fruit, veggies and home cooked meals made with love, understanding and blessings for a full recovery.

The post NAVIGATING THE RIP OF COVID-19 ISOLATION first appeared on Wholistic Medical Centre.

The post NAVIGATING THE RIP OF COVID-19 ISOLATION appeared first on Wholistic Medical Centre.

You are not alone, with an estimated 1 in 5 women reporting anxiety symptoms throughout their pregnancy & anxiety prevalence peaking during third trimester, anxiety is more common than we think. Expecting mother have also had to face many changes and restrictions to their care delivered during Covid-19 and these unique times have added to the prevalence of perinatal anxiety.

Now, one well known therapy that can assist with anxiety and slow down the parasympathetic nervous system (fight or flight response) and silence those bust thoughts is acupuncture. Acupuncture that is considered safe to use in pregnancy, although there can be risks involved, such as localised redness at the needle insertion point. Most women find acupuncture gentle, although some are more sensitive than others, as the needles used are very fine. But acupuncture and can provide support for perinatal anxiety and permission to stop and rest when life can be overwhelming…

If you want to test & see if this is the right therapy for you try massaging this point directly between your eyebrows for 3 minutes and see if this acupuncture point helps.

Hope this helps!  Remember, you got this, mamma.

The post Anxiety during pregnancy first appeared on Wholistic Medical Centre.

The post Anxiety during pregnancy appeared first on Wholistic Medical Centre.

Many women experience some kind of pain with their periods, but period pain (or dysmenorhea) is definitely not normal in Chinese medicine. Statistics vary widely around the world but show that a significant number of women suffer from regular pain with their periods. It is so common that many women assume painful periods are normal because their friends have it too. Period pain is something that a lot of women just put up and manage with painkillers, heat packs or other medications every month.

Even when period pain is affecting their quality of life, many women do not seek help from a doctor or other health professional.

Pain is your body’s way of letting you know that there is a problem, it is a symptom of an underlying issue that needs to be addressed. While medication may be helpful for temporary pain relief, it does not address the underlying issues causing the period pain.

Types of period pain

Period pain, or dysmenorrhea, can be caused by many factors. Clinically it is classified as either primary or secondary depending on whether or not there are structural abnormalities in the pelvis. Primary dysmenorrhea is menstrual pain with no identified organic cause. It can vary from mild to severe and affects as many as 50% of girls and women, often beginning soon after a girl starts having periods. In many cases periods become less painful as time goes on, and this kind of dysmenorrhea may improve after giving birth. Secondary dysmenorrhea has a known cause such as endometriosis, adenomyosis or fibroids. It tends to begin later in life than primary dysmenorrhea and often becomes worse over time.

Chinese medicine and period pain

Chinese medicine has a long history of treating gynaecological conditions including period pain. There are many Chinese medicine texts, some written as far back as 1000BC, containing detailed analysis and understanding of the menstrual cycle with recommendations for self-care and specific Chinese herbal medicine formulas to address symptoms such as pain.

What does a normal healthy period look like?

According to Chinese medicine a normal healthy period is regular (ideally around 28 days each cycle). There should be minimal or no discomfort, and definitely no pain. The flow of blood should be smooth (not interrupted), bright red in colour, and free of clots. It should be not too heavy or too light. The blood should not be too thick or too watery, and the entire period should last between 4-6 days.

In Chinese medicine, period pain is seen as abnormal and a symptom of an underlying imbalance in the body which is blocking the smooth flow of menstrual blood. This blockage can be caused by many factors and an experienced practitioner will know whether your period pain is due to Qi (energy), blood, cold or dampness blocking the flow in your body, or whether the flow is obstructed because your Qi, Blood, Liver or Kidney energy is depleted. Often there is a combination of underlying patterns that need to be untangled and addressed. Each of these dynamics require a different approach. An experienced Chinese medicine practitioner will be able to assess what is out of balance and use acupuncture and/or Chinese herbal medicine to assist in supporting your body towards a pain free and healthy menstrual cycle.

If you would like support for your painful periods with Traditional Chinese Medicine please book an appointment with Tanya Newton at Flow Chinese Medicine.

The post Is Your Period Pain Normal? first appeared on Wholistic Medical Centre.

The post Is Your Period Pain Normal? appeared first on Wholistic Medical Centre.

Ergonomics

Are you feeling those niggles in the neck or back more since working from home? Let’s examine how our working environment at home may be contributing to this. Many of us have had to set up an ad hoc home office using the kitchen or dining table and chairs designed for eating a meal rather than extended periods of working and having to focus on a screen. Technology means we often find ourselves looking down to our devices, leading to neck and back strain. If you are using a laptop for work try elevating your laptop on a couple of thick cooking books and seperate your keyboard by a bluetooth keyboard. The top of the screen should be just above eye height. Consider amalgamating your phone apps such as What’s App onto your computer desktop to limit phone use.

To Sit or Stand

In the near future I will explore this topic comprehensively in another blog. The basic idea is to incorporate regular movement. Regardless of ideal ergonomic working conditions, long periods of sitting or standing can be detrimental to your health and wellbeing. What is apparent is the concept of interrupting sedentary positions by regularly changing positions. Have a look at solutions such as the sit stand platforms by Varidesk which turns your existing desk or kitchen bench top into a variable position desk with a click of a button 

Try what works for your specific situation. Aim to sit or stand many times throughout your day, for example, take phone calls standing. There is a saying that “your best posture is your next posture’. So a seat with a back or without isn’t that important as much as regularly changing positions. However, if your situation requires you to sit more than you stand, then a chair that supports your back is recommended.

Breaks

Schedule regular minibreaks and a lunch break. Allow for some time in your working day to be exposed to the outside sun. This will help improve your sleep and potentially offset some of the blue light exposure at night. Offer your eyes a broader canvas than just what is an arm’s length away.

Exercise

Working from home offers opportunities for brief moments of exercise. For example while on hold on a call, do 20 squats. Between completion of tasks, bookend it with 20 downward dogs to cobra on the floor. The evidence is very clear when it comes to the detrimental effects of lack of regular exercise on our body and mind.

Blue light                                                                                                                              

There is emerging but conflicting evidence on the effects of the artificial light from screens negatively affecting our sleep due to inhibiting melatonin, the hormone that regulates our circadian rhythms. The take home message here is to have daily exposure to outside daylight and limit screen exposure for at least 1 hour before your head hits the pillow.

The post Working from home doesn’t have to feel like working from home first appeared on Wholistic Medical Centre.

The post Working from home doesn’t have to feel like working from home appeared first on Wholistic Medical Centre.

Medical cannabis, or CBD oil, is not a first line treatment. As per the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners guidelines, “medicinal cannabis products should only be considered when all first line, conventional options have been tried.”

So, if you have a medical condition of more than 3 months duration and conventional medications have not proved effective for you or the side effects have outweighed the benefits or you wish to stop using ‘community acquired’ cannabis. Then it may be worth having a detailed discussion of the potential benefits and downside of medicinal cannabis with one of our doctors.

Who prescribes Cannabis at the Wholistic Medical Centre?

Cannabis (CBD) can only be prescribed by a Doctor through an individual application on your behalf to the Therapeutic Goods Authority – Special Access Scheme TGA SAS.

At the Wholistic Medical Centre, Dr Nick Bassal is registered with the Therapeutic Goods Authority – Special Access Scheme (TGA SAS) to prescribe Cannabis.

The Wholistic Medical Centre Difference

We differ from other clinics who prescribe cannabis, at the Wholistic Medical Centre we will consult with you from a holistic perspective. Cannabis is not just another drug, herb or magic bullet, we view it as an adjunct to holistic health care. So, where appropriate we can also discuss nutritional medicine, exercise, sleep and psychological support. It may also be useful to incorporate Chinese herbs relevant to your condition to improve outcomes. The above adjuncts will potentially have the effect of improving health outcomes, reducing the dose of cannabis you need and hence reduce the monthly cost and any potential side effects.

The Consultation Processes

For the initial appointment (which can be in person or via video) you will need to have relevant information such as medical history, letters from your GP or specialists. If Cannabis is indicated, the Wholistic Medical Centre doctor will make a formal online application to the TGA on your behalf. Note that your name is not revealed. We only need your initials and date of birth.

You will be notified once we receive the approval from the TGA.  You will be asked to make an appointment to discuss the specific medication and starting dose and things to look for. Your doctor will write a prescription and send/give that to you, along with the approval documentation. We will also endeavour to find a specific pharmacy near you that will provide you with the medication.

Follow up appointments are advised initially fortnightly to establish the correct dose and then monthly for the first 6 months to monitor progress and thereafter every 3-6 months as advised to obtain repeat scripts.

If you would like to discuss further, please make an appointment. Call 02 9211 3811 or make an online booking via our website.

What is the cost involved?

The fees below apply to Medical Cannabis consultations with  Dr Nicholas Bassal:

Initial consultation- You will not be out of pocket any more than $199 with Dr Nicholas Bassal. This is for the initial phone or video consultation (this includes the time taken for the Doctor to complete the TGA SAS application on your behalf).

The fee may be different if the consultation is in person, or on video, who you see and how long the consultation is, this is due to different Medicare item numbers that are charged. However, your out of pocket cost will remain at a maximum of $199.

Follow up consultations : $99 (out of pocket)

If you wish to gain from mindfulness-based psychotherapy, in addition to the cannabis, to assist in your holistic treatment, then a follow up consultation will be required with Dr Nicholas Bassal.

As Cannabis has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for millennia, usually in conjunction with other herbs, TCM practitioners already know which Chinese herbs to use to boost the benefit of cannabis. Each case however needs to be individualised according to their TCM presentation. If that is of interest to you, then make a consultation with Tanya Newton our highly experienced TCM herbal practitioner.

In the unlikely event that your application is declined, unfortunately the initial consultation fee is not refundable

The cost of the medical Cannabis appropriate for you varies depending on the exact product recommended (CBD:THC ratio, supply company and pharmacy). The cost can vary between approximately $200-$400 monthly.

Note- Currently cannabis products are not on the PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme), so there is no government subsidy. So, all the costs of the cannabis products as supplied by the pharmacy are privately paid for.

If you want to find out if cannabis might help you. Please call 02 9211 3811 for an appointment.

The Ancient History of Cannabis in Medicine

Cannabis is a form of herbal medicine and has been used for over 5,000 years in many parts of the world. The medical benefits of cannabis were documented by Emperor Shen-Nung in China in 2737BC. Cannabis has been considered one of the 50 fundamental herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine and its use has been continually documented in Chinese medicine for ~1800 years. In the modern era the seeds, known in TCM as huomaren 火麻仁, are listed in the Chinese Medicine Pharmacopeia.

Read more on Cannabis in Chinese Medicine

The Ebers Papyrus (c. 1550 BCE) from Ancient Egypt describes medical cannabis.

Surviving texts from ancient India confirm that cannabis’ psychoactive properties were recognized, and doctors used it for treating a variety of illnesses and ailments, including insomnia, headaches, gastrointestinal disorders, and pain, including during childbirth.

The Ancient Greeks used cannabis to dress wounds and sores on their horses, and in humans.

In the medieval Islamic world, Arabic physicians made use of cannabis for its diuretic, antiemetic, antiepileptic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic properties from the 8th to 18th centuries.

Modern History of Cannabis

An Irish physician, William Brooke O’Shaughnessy, is credited with introducing cannabis to Western medicine. O’Shaughnessy discovered cannabis in the 1830s while living abroad in India, where he conducted numerous experiments investigating the drug’s medical utility (noting in particular its analgesic and anticonvulsant effects). He returned to England with a supply of cannabis in 1842, (Queen Victoria even used it for period pain) gradually its use spread through Europe and the United States. Cannabis was entered into the United States Pharmacopeia in 1850 and used legally until US prohibition in 1937

Cannabis began to attract renewed interest as medicine in the 1970s and 1980s, in particular due to its use by cancer and AIDS patients who reported relief the effects of chemotherapy and wasting syndrome. In 1996, California became the first U.S. state to legalize medical cannabis in defiance of federal law. In 2001, Canada became the first country to adopt a system regulating the medical use of cannabis.

Our Body’s Own Cannabis

In 1992 it was discovered that our body produces its own cannabis like neurotransmitters and has receptors for them. (similar to the discovery of our natural endorphins). So, it was named the endo cannabinoid system (ECS).

The ECS modulates different body systems to help achieve homeostasis. It is involved in many functions including inflammation, pain, sleep, appetite, digestion, metabolism, cardiovascular function, bone development, reproduction, immune function, mood, memory and cognitive processes.

The Endo-Cannabinoid System (ECS)

We have two natural endocannabinoids – anandamide (from the Sanskrit word, “ananda” meaning bliss; similar structure to THC) and 2- AG (similar structure to CBD) and it was also discovered that there were two types of cannabinoid receptors – CB1 and CB2.

Most of the receptors are CB1 receptors and located in the central nervous system (CNS) which includes the brain (cognitive functions, memory) – e.g. hypothalamus, amygdala, hippocampus, basal ganglia, cerebellum, cerebral cortex. And peripheral nervous system (PNS) all the nerves connected to our muscles and organs.

CB2 receptors are in the immune system and gut (immune function, pain and inflammation).

CBD and THC are chemically similar to our own naturally produced cannabinoids- hence they can interact with our CB1 and CB2 receptors.

Chemistry of Cannabis

Many people are familiar with two of the well-known chemicals found in medicinal cannabis- CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol).

Cannabinoids can be classified into three categories:

•      Endocannabinoids– natural produced in the body
•       Phyto cannabinoids– from plants
•       Synthetic cannabinoids– pharmaceutical products

The cannabis plant has over 500 chemicals which can be grouped as cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids.  There are approx. 140 cannabinoids of which CBD and THC are the most well-known and researched. However, the terpenes and flavonoids have their own beneficial actions and also work synergistically with the cannabinoids- this is known as the entourage effect. Which is why we prefer whole plant extract.  The main variety of the cannabis plant is Cannabis sativa. Hemp is a strain of Cannabis sativa and has been bred to have lower concentrations of THC and higher concentrations of cannabidiol (CBD), which decreases or eliminates its psychoactive effects.  Hemp has been used for centuries for its fibre for making cloth, paper and ropes. Marijuana the other strain of Cannabis sativa which has been bred to have higher concentrations of THC and is the strain commonly used recreationally.

Medicinal uses of CBD and THC

CBD – this is the non-psychoactive component that has many beneficial properties including:

•      anti-inflammatory
•       anti-epileptic
•       anxiolytic
•       analgesic
•       anti-emetic
•       anti-psychotic

CBD is thought to inhibit the enzyme that breaks down anandamide (one of the two natural cannabinoids in the body) and stimulates the production of 2-AG (the second naturally occurring cannabinoid).

THC – produces the psychoactive effects (“high”) that cannabis is known for. However, it also has many other benefits including:

•      analgesic
•       anti-spasmodic
•       improving appetite
•       anti-inflammatory
•       anti-emetic
•       anti-spasticity

THC binds to CB1 receptors in the central and peripheral nervous system whereas CBD binds very weakly to CB1. It has been found that when THC is combined with CBD, this helps to reduce the THC’s psychoactive side effects. Phyto cannabinoids can also bind to other receptor sites apart from CBD 1 and 2. e.g. CBD is an agonist (enhancer) for the serotonin receptor.

CBD and THC can be used alone on in various formulations depending on individual circumstances and medical conditions.

In Australia in November 2016, THC became a Schedule 8 classification (controlled drugs – like morphine) and CBD became a Schedule 4 classification (prescription only medicine – like antibiotics, strong painkillers) by the TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration).

Which medical conditions is Medical Cannabis (CBD) useful for?

• Chronic non cancer pain (CNCP)
• Chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (CINV)
• Cancer pain
• Epilepsy
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Autism
• Endometriosis
• Fibromyalgia
• Migraine
• Anxiety/Depression
• Chronic insomnia
• PTSD
• Parkinson’s disease
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Sleep disturbance associated with Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)

Who cannot use Cannabis (CBD)?

CBM is generally contraindicated in:

•      Unstable cardiopulmonary disease
•       Cardiovascular risk factors
•      Pregnancy and breast feeding.
•       Active mood disorder, a history of psychotic disorder, schizophrenia.
•       Hypersensitivity to cannabis products

Caution is required in:

•       Patients < 25 years old. Cannabis can be used with careful monitoring in children/young adults with certain conditions like epilepsy (e.g. Dravet syndrome- drug resistant epilepsy) or autism.
•       Kidney/liver impairment
•       History of substance abuse
•       Previous or family history of mental illness e.g. schizophrenia.
•       Patients with risk of fall e.g. frail elderly patients.

Drug interactions – caution if taking these medications

•       Blood thinning agents e.g. warfarin.
•       Drugs/herbs that are also metabolised by CP450.
•       Sedatives and analgesics- alcohol, benzodiazepines, anti-depressants, anti-epileptics

What are the side effects of Cannabis?

The most common side effects are dry mouth, dizziness, disorientation, confusion, drowsiness, fatigue and anxiety.

Less commonly, people may also experience increased heart rate, impaired reaction times, fatigue, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting and depression.

These effects are dose related and completely reversable.

That’s why we use the principle of “start low and go slow”.  Each patient will be started at an low dose, with any dose changes done gradually and closely monitored especially in the initial phase. Once on a stable dose, the frequency of follow up visits can be less frequent. The aim is to be on a dose that provides maximum benefit with minimal side effects. Each patient will be different.

Forms of Medical Cannabis

The oil is the most commonly used method for administering medical cannabis. The whole plant extract is mixed with a food grade oil (e.g. olive, canola). A dropper is used to place the oil under the tongue, it is absorbed within a minute.

Taste is generally not an issue. Capsules containing the oil are also available.

There are other methods like using a vaporiser or inhalation and creams/patches, but these are not currently approved in Australia.

Absorption of Cannabis

When taken as an oil (most common form of medical cannabis) under the tongue, and not swallowed, Cannabis is absorbed directly into the blood stream and has medium bioavailability. The effects can be felt in 30min to 90min and last about 4-8 hrs.

When Cannabis (CBD) is ingested, (added to food) it goes through the digestive tract, has lower bioavailability and is slower to act. Effects can be felt in 30min to 2 hours and last 3-6 hours.

By contrast smoking ‘community acquired’ cannabis (not recommended) provides high bioavailability and acts within a few minutes with a duration of 3 to 4 hours. The dose delivered by smoking is highly variable depending on the strain, potency of the plant, how it has been grown and dried. Generally smoking can deliver a dose of about 250mg to 1000mg of THC this of course hinges on initial quantity and how many people are sharing.

Can I drive?

CBD is less likely to impair driving than THC; however, there can still be very small amounts of THC in a CBD only product. So, until Mobile Drug Testing legislation allows for minimal levels of medicinal THC (like alcohol), it is not advised to drive even though your driving may not impaired.

If you want to find out if cannabis might help you, please call 02 9211 3811 for an appointment with

Dr Nicholas Bassal

The post Cannabis and Medicine first appeared on Wholistic Medical Centre.

The post Cannabis and Medicine appeared first on Wholistic Medical Centre.

You may have been trying naturally to conceive or gone through the channels of IVF. Either way, the longer this cycle of trying goes on, the more your mind can panic emotionally sending you into overwhelm and distress.

When trying to conceive, the physical body and hormones are tested, examined, poked and prodded, your BMI, weight and age is recorded and your physical body is relied on to get you pregnant. However very little is paid to the emotional side of your journey and this can be the biggest key to falling pregnant. The pressure and expectations to conceive can be cripplingly stressful and this is where fertility massage and be of great assistance.

Fertility Massage Therapy

Fertility Massage Therapy is a deep, yet gentle and non-invasive therapy that works by bringing the organs within the abdominal area back into alignment, releasing pressure and strengthening the surrounding muscles and ligaments.

Some of the benefits of fertility massage

• Fertility Massage Therapy aims to re-position your internal abdominal organs, including the uterus, as the positioning of your uterus helps optimise your chances for fertilisation and implantation.
• Improves organ function by releasing physical & emotional congestion from the abdomen.
• Improves circulatory, lymphatic & nervous systems by encouraging more blood flow to reproductive & pelvic organs by resolving any congestion & misalignment to these organs.
• Helps to tone & strengthen the uterus & surrounding ligaments to optimise fertilisation & implantation.
• Breaks down scar tissue or adhesions surrounding reproductive, digestive & pelvic organs which improves organ function & health.
• Helps to subdue parasympathetic nervous system & induce rest & relaxation….which is always welcome.

WHEN TO HAVE FERTILITY MASSAGE

If you are trying to concieve naturally…

….the ideal time to have fertility massage is the end of menses to ovulation. This is commonly from day 7 to day 14 of your cycle.

If you are undergoing fertility assistance…

….with IUI the ideal time for fertility massage is from menses to ovulation & insemination.

…. with IVF then the ideal time for fertility massage is from suppression of your cycle to embryo transfer is recommended, as long as no tenderness is felt.

Our Fertility Massage Therapist

To book an appointment, you can call (02) 9211 3811.

The post FERTILITY MASSAGE – WHAT IS IT ALL ABOUT? first appeared on Wholistic Medical Centre.

The post FERTILITY MASSAGE – WHAT IS IT ALL ABOUT? appeared first on Wholistic Medical Centre.

Many women feel exhausted & overwhelmed after the birth of their baby and their recovery is overshadowed by the desire to ‘bounce back’. In modern society women are praised and admired for how quickly they are up and at ‘em and looking great post the birth of their baby. This modern day phenomenon is contrary to many traditional cultures where it is common place for the new mother to do nothing more than rest, feed and bond with her baby. In traditional Chinese medicine this is known as the Golden Month and new mothers are given special care, food and support until they feel recovered. This month is seen as providing valuable health benefits and allowing a new mother to adjust to her new role regardless if this is her first or third child. As every child, pregnancy & childbirth will be different, the needs of every new mother will differ. This is a time to recuperate and it is important to promote a mothers physical & emotional wellbeing. This is an opportunity to address any health needs that the mother may experience in the recovery from childbirth and start the journey to motherhood supported and confident.

What assists a new mother in her recovery in the postpartum period can be simplified in four basic tips:

Rest

Every new mother is told to sleep when your baby sleeps. This is essential for recovery as newborn babies will breastfeed at all different hours and sleep when you don’t think they should. Lie down for a day sleep with your baby as this will not only encourage bonding but will provide you with some valuable rest.

Nutritious food

New mothers need good nutrition. A combination of carbohydrates, protein & good fats to encourage a good milk supply & provide the needed nutritional needs that are amplified while breastfeeding and recovering from childbirth.

Hydration

New mothers need at least 10 -12 glasses of water each day to satisfy their fluid requirements in the postpartum period. This is to promote lactation as well as assist the heart and kidneys to flush all that extra fluid and interstitial fluid that accumulates in the final weeks of the pregnancy.

Reach out to your tribe & accept help

It is so important to create a supportive circle of people. They can assist in providing nutritious meals during this time that can be easily frozen and eaten anytime, especially when cooking cannot be managed. This is essential for your physical and emotional recovery. Reach out to your mothers group & local breastfeeding support groups in your local early childhood centres as this can be a great source of support & connection with other local mothers. Remember you are not alone and don’t hesitate to ask for and access the help you need.

RECIPE FOR NONNA’S CHICKEN SOUP

This brings such memories from watching my grandmother skim the pot of her chicken broth & one that will bring you nourishment, warmth, health & happiness.

BRODO DI POLLO – ITALIAN CHICKEN SOUP

For stock and soup:

• 1 whole chicken

For stock:

• 2 carrots, peeled and halved
• 3 celery stalks, rinsed and trimmed with leaves removed, then quartered
• 1 fennel bulb, stalks removed, then quartered
• 1 garlic bulb, halved widthways
• Rind from a wedge of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese *
• 2 bay leaves, fresh or dried
• 1 handful continental parsley and stalks
• 1 teaspoon peppercorns

For soup:

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium brown onion, diced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 celery ribs, diced
• 1/3 cup dried risoni pasta
• Salt and Pepper to taste (to serve)
• 1 handful fresh continental parsley (to serve)
• 1/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (to serve)

STOCK
Place chicken and vegetables in a large stockpot over medium heat. Top with cold water till just covered (don’t add too much water or the stock will be weak in flavour). Add remaining stock ingredients and let it slowly come to the boil. Lower the heat to a gentle simmer and cook for 1 hour, partially covered. While simmering, skim the surface of the liquid once or twice to remove any impurities that rise to the surface. Top with more water if required to keep the chicken just submerged.

Remove the chicken to a cutting board and allow to cool for a few minutes. When it has cooled, discard the skin and bones and shred the meat with a fork. Set aside in a covered container.

Strain the stock through a fine sieve into a large bowl to remove the vegetables and aromatics and set aside. Then, wash and dry your stockpot.

SOUP
Heat olive oil in the stock pot over medium high heat, then add the onion, garlic, carrot and celery and sauté till the onion is translucent but before the mirepoix browns. Lower the heat to medium-low and add the stock to the pot with the shredded chicken and the risoni. Simmer until the risoni is cooked (about 11 minutes, but follow the timing on the pasta packet).

Remove from heat, season to taste with salt and pepper and stir through the cheese and finely chopped parsley then divide between four bowls.

*I keep the rind from finished Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese segments in the freezer for whenever I need to add flavour to simmering soups.

https://chewtown.com/2014/07/brodo-di-pollo/

The post After the Birth. What now? Tips to help you through the Golden Month. first appeared on Wholistic Medical Centre.

The post After the Birth. What now? Tips to help you through the Golden Month. appeared first on Wholistic Medical Centre.

Pregnant with twins!

Pregnancy complications and miscarriage

So you’ve decided you’re ready to start a family… all begins well, you fall pregnant easily but sadly you have a miscarriage. You prepare yourself and start again, understanding that sometimes maintaining a pregnancy can be difficult.

This is Simone’s* story. A 35-year old university lecturer, living a busy but healthy and active lifestyle.

Pregnant with twins

Simone and her partner had been trying to have a baby for 2 years. Following recurrent miscarriage her doctor ordered blood tests which diagnosed Anti-Phospholipid Syndrome (APS). Just days later, they were advised they were 7 weeks pregnant with twins.

Anti-Phospholipid Syndrome (APS) is an auto-immune disorder of the blood. It is sometimes called Hughes syndrome or sticky blood. 

In early pregnancy the anti-phospholipid antibodies (aPL) can cause early miscarriages because they prevent the pregnancy from embedding properly in the womb, and they inhibit the growth of fetal cells.

Simone was immediately concerned about the potential for miscarriage. Querying what she could do to take this pregnancy to full term, she began to search online… What natural pregnancy support is available? Can acupuncture provide pregnancy support?

A wholistic approach to health and pregnancy support – TEAM

Simone came in for an initial consultation seeking pregnancy support. We discussed her medical history, current condition and doctors’ approach and treatment to address APS and her pregnancies. Her doctor had prescribed administration of daily Clexane injections and aspirin medication to thin the blood and prevent her blood from clotting.

Further to this, we discussed eastern medicine – primarily the use of Japanese and Chinese acupuncture, moxibustion (moxa) and Chinese herbal medicine in pregnancy support. Traditional East Asian Medicine (TEAM) considers one’s outlook, the current state of day-to-day health, looking into clinical signs, symptoms and results to determine a diagnosis – using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) or traditional Japanese medicine (TJM) paradigms. The TCM diagnosis guides the acupuncture and moxa treatment and any herbal medicines to work alongside and complement other medical treatment.

Thus, at each consultation we would work as part of a wholistic health and pregnancy support team: comprising of doctors, obstetricians, physiotherapists, specialists, midwives and her doula.  Information from medications, blood tests, urine tests, ultrasound scans, baby positions, baby weights, physical exercises and recommendations would determine the TCM diagnosis and adjust the acupuncture and moxa treatment to her changing needs as the pregnancies progressed.

Natural Pregnancy Support with Acupuncture

Diagnosis of her health from a eastern medicine perspective indicated that constitutionally she had a life-long blood deficiency. Her blood was always working hard, generating extreme heat especially with her love of bike riding and 5-10 km jogs.

Given Simone’s constitution, pregnancy, APS presentation and medications, I recommended the following TEAM plan including acupuncture treatment and some lifestyle changes to reduce the heat in her blood, generate blood and promote blood circulation. The acupuncture treatment involved weekly consultation until she reached 12 weeks, follow-ups every 3 weeks until approximately 32 weeks, then fortnightly to weekly after that depending on her needs. The lifestyle changes involved reducing and changing her sport activities and making some dietary changes.

I worked together with her through the duration of her pregnancy for constitutional, APS-related and common pregnancy symptoms until the birth.  Her blood work at 15 weeks showed there were no traces of anti-phospholipid antibodies (aPL), suggesting APS remission. She gave birth at almost 37 weeks by caesarean due to pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure) and the babies descending into the birth canal.

Following birth, one baby spent the first night in a humidicrib with both babies in the special care nursery monitoring for 2 weeks. Post nursery care they remained healthy and well and at 18 months reached the 50th percentile for weight. The babies have continued to be average weight for their age.

To understand more about how TCM treatments may assist you in your fertility journey please continue to read through our other fertility stories or contact us to book a consultation.

The post Wholistic Approach to Pregnancy Complications and Miscarriage first appeared on Wholistic Medical Centre.

The post Wholistic Approach to Pregnancy Complications and Miscarriage appeared first on Wholistic Medical Centre.

Is it legal?    

Medical practitioners in Australia can legally prescribe medicinal cannabis through regulated pathways such as the Special Access Scheme Category B and the Authorised Prescriber Scheme. These pathways are typically used by doctors for unapproved medicines.

Dr Vicki Kotsirilos, Victorian GP and Integrative Medicine Practitioner, became Australia’s first authorised GP prescriber of medicinal cannabis in May 2018. She said recently that GPs currently have ‘a large demand’ for knowledge about the use of medicinal cannabis. Dr Kotsirilos says there is a lack of knowledge about the clinical usage of medicinal cannabis which stems from a lack of formal education and upskilling available to GPs.

‘We need regular top-ups of education because the science actually changes every day and there’s new studies that come out all the time,’ she said. ‘Because it is a plant medicine, it’s not part of our curriculum, so all the learning is self-taught.’

 What is it currently prescribed for?

The main medical conditions for which medicinal cannabis is prescribed in Australia to date are:

• chronic non-cancer pain
• epilepsy
• multiple sclerosis
• palliative care including cancer pain management
• cancer-related nausea and vomiting.

Is it available at Wholistic Medical Centre?

We are very fortunate that Dr Nick Bassal, who had already begun upskilling in the use of medicinal cannabis, has been invited to participate in a conference in Montreal, Canada, taking place as this newsletter goes to ‘print’. So, watch this space if you believe that you have a need for medicinal cannabis.

Medical cannabis for period pain? Would you like to have your say?

‘Development of a clinical trial on medicinal cannabis for primary dysmenorrhoea: Co-Design.’

Researchers from NICM Health Research Institute would like to invite women who suffer from ‘primary dysmenorrhoea’, that is period pain not due to endometriosis or adenomyosis, to participate in an on-line focus group to have your say in how clinical trials should be designed to be relevant and well-structured. Read the participant information at https://nicm.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/1615795/Participant_Information_Sheet_MC_and_Period_pain_V2.pdf

Or ask our wonderful Reception Team at the Wholistic Medical Centre for more details.

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The post Where are we up to with medicinal cannabis? appeared first on Wholistic Medical Centre.

Turn baby, turn….

Most women hope for a natural birth, but what happens when a persistent breech baby puts a spanner in the works?

As your pregnancy progresses, your baby naturally turns into the head-first position. However, a small number of babies will not turn and remain in a persistent breech position, or bottom first, in the final weeks of pregnancy. There are a variety of reasons for this ranging from placental location, fibroids or uncommon-shaped uterus, laxed uterine muscle tone from multiple pregnancies or lots of fluid around baby in utero.

This can be a source of great stress and anguish for a woman in those last weeks of pregnancy as discussions around turning baby (External Cephalic Version) and alternative delivery plans may arise.

Amy’s story

Amy* was 35 weeks pregnant with her third baby when she came to see me with a persistent breech baby on board. She had been discussing her choices and delivery plan with her Obstetrician and was wanting to wait and see if her baby would turn head first within the following weeks. A normal birth was what she really wanted and an External Cephalic Version did not appeal to her.

Her Obstetrician agreed to give Amy three weeks to see if her baby would turn. This is when she came to see me. Her Obstetrician was informed that Amy was seeking my assistance and was not resistant to her trying massage or acupuncture.

Baby’s head needed room

I approached the consultation as I always do with a thorough medical history and background of Amy’s condition. I had discovered that Amy had suffered from pubic symphysitis with each of her three pregnancies. This prompted me to thoroughly assess Amy’s hips and pelvis position and function as these may lead to a narrowing of the pelvic outlet thus reducing the baby’s ability to turn headfirst. They can also be the source of severe pain.

I commenced my assessment by comparing both hips for symmetry, movement and position and observed that Amy’s right hip was sitting slightly higher and turned toward the front when compared to the left hip. When I observed Amy walking, there was a tendency for her to raise her right hip higher than her left when taking a step forward. This confirmed my suspicions that the hips had been drawn out of alignment during pregnancy while under the affect of pregnancy hormones.

This was placing strain on Amy’s pelvis and making her gluteal muscle groups work hard to support her when she was walking.

I began the treatment by massaging her lower back and hips, focusing on the gluteal muscles to improve blood circulation and movement of smooth muscle tissue. This was aimed at reducing discomfort and allowing the hips to move more freely as well as targeting hip alignment.

Very motivated to help the baby to turn

After discussion with Amy and understanding her commitment to turning her baby to the head first position, I decided to introduce acupuncture and moxibustion into the treatment to amplify the focus on turning baby and realigning the right hip.

Acupuncture was applied also to reduce the pubic symphysitis pain. I have found this to be very effective over my years in practice. Acupuncture is complementary medical practice that involves stimulating certain points on the body, most often with a needle penetrating the skin to alleviate pain or to help to treat various health conditions.

The final layer to the initial treatment was moxabustion and this was applied while Amy was comfortable lying on her side and the acupuncture needles were in place. Moxabustion is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to stimulate specific therapeutic effects and is the practice of burning a herb called Artemesia vulgarisacross certain acupuncture points. The application of moxabustion increases blood flow creating an environment of movement and activity in the growing baby promoting optimal positioning in utero. The key point to stimulate to assist with turning the baby is BL67 located on the outer corner of the fifth toe.

The recommended application of moxabustion is 20 mins daily for 10 days in succession. I performed the initial application so that Amy was confident to continue using it at home independently and tolerated the treatment. As with burning any substance it was important that Amy knew exactly where to place it and how much heat the moxabustion should generate on the skin.

After this initial treatment Amy felt confident to continue using the moxabustion treatment and tolerated this therapy well. Her baby did move around a lot during the treatment and I was hopeful that baby would settle head first over the next 9 days. At the conclusion of the appointment I also gave Amy instructions on postural techniques that she could adopt at home to encourage baby to turn into the head first position. I included some instructional videos for her to follow.

Another postural technique that I recommended to Amy was the cat stretches which help with pelvic pain and strain by again tilting baby off the lower back and pelvis to relieve pain. Once again I gave her some resources to support her doing the technique correctly. I explained that she should attempt these techniques daily for at 10 mins at a time to achieve optimal results.

Amy returned to see me after the 10 days of moxabustion application and postural techniques. She was very happy to report that the baby had turned head first. This was a testimony to her commitment and compliance with the treatment. Her Obstetrician was pleased.

Amy proceeded to a natural birth of her baby – head first!

* Name has been changed

The post When your baby is breech in the final weeks of pregnancy …. Acupuncture, TCM and massage may help. first appeared on Wholistic Medical Centre.

The post When your baby is breech in the final weeks of pregnancy …. Acupuncture, TCM and massage may help. appeared first on Wholistic Medical Centre.

 Men, women, and teens can experience restricted movement due to shoulder pain

Shoulder pain can impact on your day. It can disrupt your sleep and make the simplest actions like brushing your hair or reaching for items on the top shelf of the pantry unbearable.

What can be done to break the cycle of shoulder pain?

Jane* was seeking help for her persistent right shoulder pain that was aggravated when she raised her arm above her shoulder. This pain had been ongoing for three months and had been limiting her ability to exercise and move freely. Remedial massage had been recommended to improve movement and reduce pain.

I approached the consultation as I always do with a thorough history and background of Jane’s condition. I conducted a thorough assessment of both shoulders, comparing movement, symmetry and strength in each arm and closely observing posture that can affect how the shoulders are positioned.

What I noticed first was that the affected shoulder was brought forward and held higher compared to the unaffected shoulder indicating that those muscle groups of the chest and top of the shoulder were creating the problem by raising the shoulder and scapula up and forward and limiting movement of the right shoulder. This was confirmed with palpation of the muscle groups to the chest, upper shoulders and those muscles surrounding the scapula.

The initial treatment targeted those affected muscle groups to the chest, shoulders and upper back, improving blood flow and softening those affected muscle tissues. After the first treatment Jane could raise her arm above her shoulder and her pain had been reduced considerably. She was happy with this initial result.

Jane returned for a further three weekly massage treatments and her pain had resolved after the fourth treatment. Jane was able to return to regular exercising and was even able to help her sister move house at our last consultation.

* Name has been changed

The post Massage to the rescue when shoulder pain gets in the way first appeared on Wholistic Medical Centre.

The post Massage to the rescue when shoulder pain gets in the way appeared first on Wholistic Medical Centre.

Ingredients

1 Fennel bulb

1 Head of broccoli

1 Zucchini

1 Bunch of English Spinach

1 Bunch of Parsley – keep a little parsley to garnish.

4 Cloves of garlic

1 Tbspn olive oil

1 Tin of Chickpeas 440g

2-3 cups of stock (Vege or chicken – you choose)

Salt & pepper to taste

Optional – Nutritional Yeast or Parmesan

Method

Chop garlic and fry gently in olive oil, add roughly chopped vegetables and stock. Ideally stock should just cover vegetables – I put everything in except the spinach then add stock to cover vegetables. Throw the spinach in on top as it reduces quite dramatically in size.

Simmer until tender. Add chickpeas, salt & pepper to taste. Blend.

A stick blender is ideal to create a fabulous green soup.

I like to add nutritional yeast just before serving or you may like to add parmesan.

Garnish with parsley.

By Lucy Bella – Wholistic Medical Centre Office Manager

The post Healthy Green Soup recipe first appeared on Wholistic Medical Centre.

The post Healthy Green Soup recipe appeared first on Wholistic Medical Centre.