QUALIFICATIONS​

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• Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Movement and Health Studies) 2007

• Master of Physiotherapy (Graduate Entry) 2012

• Master of Applied Science (Acupuncture) 2020
   

• Registered Physiotherapist

• Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioner 

• Registered Acupuncturist

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PHYSIOTHERAPY

 

Physiotherapy aims to improve movement, function and reduce pain by educating you on the cause of your symptoms (i.e. exercise regimen, lifestyle, posture etc.) and providing evidence guided treatments such as therapeutic exercise and hands on modalities (trigger point therapy, myofascial release, dry needling). Common conditions treated are:

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• Neck pain

• Headaches

• Shoulder pain: bursitis/impingement/tendinopathies

• Elbow/wrist/hand pain: tennis elbow, wrist instability, carpal tunnel 

• Spinal/back related pain: postural pain, decreased mobility or "stiffness", ergonomic education

• Hip pain: arthritis, bursitis/impingement/tendinopathies

• Knee pain: arthritis, running/squatting/stair pain, meniscus/ligament injuries

• Ankle pain/instability: arthritis, impingement, ligament damage

• Foot pain/dysfunction: plantar fasciitis, "flat feet"

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Physiotherapy is a 'go-to' conservative treatment which has been proven to reduce the need for pharmaceutical and surgical intervention.

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TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE "TCM' / ACUPUNCTURE

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TCM Acupuncture is delivered by highly trained individuals who are registered to practise in Australia by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). The term "Acupuncturist" and "Chinese Medicine Practitioner" are both protected titles, as are "Physiotherapist" or "Medical Practitioner". Confusingly, in Australia it is possible for various medical practitioners to deliver acupuncture treatment without having to have undergone the rigorous training that a titled Acupuncturist would undergone. 

 

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Acupuncture dates back many thousands of years and is one of the best alternative medicine modalities. Acupuncture is delivered via the insertion of very fine needles (approximately 0.18-0.30mm thick) into the body at specific points, called 'acupoints', to improve health. It is delivered in conjunction with diet advice, herbal remedies, exercises, massage and lifestyle modification. 

 

TCM Acupuncture is a meridian-based system which traditional is said to alter the flow of energy or Qi (pronounced 'chee'). Qi flows through the body in specific patterns and the insertion of needles at the acupoints can produce a beneficial therapeutic result. A key difference with TCM Acupuncture is it involves the formulation of a diagnosis, achieve by questioning various aspects of ones life/lifestyle e.g. diet, emotion, sleep, hydration, digestion, food preferences and energy levels (..to name a few) along with physical assessment: observing skin complexion, posture, voice, pulse, tongue appearance (.. once again, only to name a few!). 

 

Acupuncture has been shown to produce a plethora of beneficial effects which have been studied extensively. Modern scientific studies have revealed many different mechanisms which take place in the body following acupuncture treatment, such as:

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• vasodilatation

• torsion of connective tissue

• changes in autonomic activity (e.g. heart rate, digestion, respiratory rate etc.)

• effect endocrine system i.e. release 'feel good' endorphins

• remote neurologic effects e.g. functional MRI have shown specific areas in the brain to be activated following the stimulation of acupoints.
   

The World Health Organisation (WHO), now recommends Acupuncture for over 100 conditions, based on the publication of scientific studies (Conditions in Bold are frequently treated at PhysMed): 

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• Adverse reactions to radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy

• Allergic rhinitis (including hay fever)

• Biliary colic

• Depression (including depressive neurosis and depression following stroke)

• Dysentery, acute bacillary

• Dysmenorrhoea, primary

• Epigastralgia, acute (in peptic ulcer, acute and chronic gastritis, and gastrospasm)

• Facial pain (including craniomandibular disorders)

• Headache

• Hypertension, essential

• Hypotension, primary

• Induction of labour

• Knee pain

• Leukopenia

• Low back pain

• Malposition of fetus, correction of

• Morning sickness

• Nausea and vomiting

• Neck pain

• Pain in dentistry (including dental pain and temporomandibular dysfunction)

• Periarthritis of shoulder

• Postoperative pain

• Renal colic

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Sciatica

• Sprain

• Stroke

• Tennis elbow

Most importantly, Acupuncture has been deemed a SAFE treatment with very few serious side effects having ever been reported. 

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