FAQ

Acupuncture is one of the 5 branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine that has existed for over 2000 years – the other branches include Herbal Medicine, Tuina Massage, Chinese Diet Therapy and Moxibustion.

Acupuncture involves the insertion of hair like needles into prescribed acupoints proven to be effective in treating a broad range of health conditions.

Western medical theory believes that Acupuncture creates a number of changes within the body. It is known to increase blood circulation, release neurohormones key in relaxation and stress relief, increase white blood cell counts key in immune function, increase levels of Endorphins (bodies natural pain killer), increase blood flow to the area by creating a histamine reaction (used to treat musculoskeletal pain both acute and chronic) and is also able to block synapse signals to the brain through the Gate Control Theory (outcompeting pain signals hence blocking pain sensation) and is thus useful in pain control and ongoing pain management.

Chinese Medicine theory is that of the Meridian Theory involving the body’s energy – Qi (pronounced chi) and Blood. The Meridian theory involves a network of channels that link the body as a whole entity carrying the Qi and Blood within it. By using acupoints on these meridians Acupuncture can regulate the flow of Qi and restore the harmonious balance of the Meridian system.

As a natural form of healing, acupuncture has the following benefits:

• Acupuncture Provides drug-free pain relief
• Effectively treats a wide range of acute and chronic ailments
• Treats the underlying cause of disease and illness as well as the symptoms
• Provides a holistic approach to the treatment of disease and illness, linking body, mind and emotions
• Assists in the prevention of disease and illness as well as the maintenance of general well-being

According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, acupuncture works by promoting the smooth flow of Qi to organs and tissues that in turn promotes proper balance and functioning of those tissues. From western scientific research, we now understand that acupuncture influences a number of physiological functions such as release of natural pain killing chemicals by the brain, restoration of proper circulation in diseased areas, stimulation of hormonal glands and immune system function, to name a few.

Research into the effects of acupuncture is still young, so there is more being discovered every year that should continue to help us understand more completely how acupuncture works.The “Gate Control” theory suggests that pain impulses are blocked from reaching the spinal cord or brain at various “gates” to these areas. Since a majority of acupuncture points are either located near, or connected to neural structures, this suggests that acupuncture stimulates the nervous system to “shut the gate” to the sensation of pain. Other theories suggest that acupuncture stimulates the body to produce narcotic like substances such as endorphins and opiods which, when released into the body, relieve pain.

Chinese herbal medicine also takes a holistic approach to understanding normal function and disease processes and focuses as much on the prevention of illness as on the treatment. Most diseases or illnesses present with a core set of recognisable signs and symptoms, but the actual presentation of a particular disease or illness will vary from person to person. For this reason, people with similar health conditions may be provided with quite different Chinese herbal medicine prescriptions. If required a Chinese herbal formula that specifically matches and treats your individual health problem will be formulated. As your condition changes and improves with treatment, the Chinese herbal treatment is also adjusted and modified until the desired health outcome is achieved.

The World Health Organisation and National Health Organisation have deemed Acupuncture effective in the treatment of bronchial asthma, wry neck, constipation, diarrhoea, duodenal ulcers, headaches, migraines, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, low back pain, sciatica and osteoarthritis.

Clinical experience also confirms that many other conditions can be effectively treated such as most gynaecological complaints, infertility, fibromyalgia, and allergies.

Acupuncture carries the stigma of a painful treatment, however most patients discover that acupuncture is quite a relaxing and enjoyable experience. The needles used are single use needles and are the width of a human hair and for this reason very little pain is noticed and no bleeding is usually apparent. Most patients notice a grabbing or slight tingling sensation, followed by warmth around the surrounding area with relaxation. Post treatment patients typically feel quite lethargic and relaxed.

At MEDICUS we also use infra-red laser as an alternative to treating with needles.

This varies widely, depending on the duration, severity and nature of your health concern. An acute condition may resolve within a few treatments, with chronic problems being treated or managed over a longer period of time. It is best to schedule once or twice a week to begin with to gauge the effectiveness for you. Some conditions need continued treatment on a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly basis. Greatest benefit will be achieved after approximately six treatments. The benefits of treatment are cumulative and once patients feel better they come less frequently to maintain the results.

Yes, different health funds cover varying amounts for treatments. We are registered with the major health funds and have an HICAPS facility to claim your rebate at the time of your treatment.

This is a very common question among those who have never experienced an acupuncture treatment. The answer relies on the skill of the practitioner. When practiced by a licensed, trained acupuncturist, acupuncture is extremely safe and there is minimal danger whatsoever. The importance of seeking an appropriately trained practitioner cannot be overstated.

There are very few situations where acupuncture is not advised. These are the most common:

• If the patient has a haemophilic condition.
• If the patient is pregnant – certain acupuncture points and needle manipulations should not be used during pregnancy.
• If the patient has a severe psychotic condition or is under the influence of drugs or alcohol back to top

All registered acupuncturists are required by law to sterilize needles. It is in their own interest, as much as in the patient’s, to use extreme caution. For this reason, we use disposable needles which can be disgarded following the treatment of each patient.

The World Health Organization (WHO) lists approximately four dozen different conditions that can legitimately be treated by acupuncture. The most common uses for acupuncture in the West include: Pain Management, Asthma, Drug Abuse, Alcoholism, Smoking, Stroke, Gastrointestinal Disorders, Gynecological and Obstetric Problems, and Sexual Problems.

Acupuncture is no different than any other form of medical treatment. Upon the patient’s first visit, the practitioner will record basic biographical information about the patient, and will then proceed with the diagnostic framework of Traditional Chinese Medicine, described as the four examinations. These include: observation, listening and smelling, questioning, and touching. Once the diagnosis is complete, the practitioner will discuss the treatment with the patient, and the patient will have an opportunity to ask questions – i.e. how many needles will be used, at which acupoints, possible duration of treatment, complimentary treatments such as herbal medicine, etc.

As previously mentioned, acupuncture is an extremely safe method of treatment, and as such, side effects and complications are extremely rare when treated by an experienced, licensed practitioner. However, a small number of patients do have reactions to the procedure which may include nausea, light headedness and fainting. As in any matter pertaining to health, any concerns should be discussed with the practitioner prior to treatment and following treatment to ensure maximum effectiveness.

Yes, children can receive acupuncture and often have excellent results with this treatment. However, in cases where the children are uneasy about the needles, a practitioner may choose to use an acupressure treatment (massage of the acupoints), or laser acupuncture.

Yes. Acupuncture is just one part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and herbal medicine represents a large part of the care we provide. We use Chinese herbs, western herbs, and nutritional supplements. The Chinese herbs we use are in tablets, capsules, or tinctures.

Many insurance plans today cover acupuncture treatments if they are included in your level of cover.

Chiropractic is a non-invasive, hands-on health care discipline that focuses on the neuromusculoskeletal system.

“Chiropractic is a holistic, whole body health care discipline based on the scientific premise that the body and its many functions are controlled by the brain, spinal cord, and by all the nerves of the body.

Chiropractors practice a manual approach, providing diagnosis, treatment and preventive care for disorders related to the spine, pelvis, nervous system and joints.

Doctors of Chiropractic, (often referred to as chiropractors or chiropractic physicians) practice a drug-free, hands-on approach to health care that includes patient examination, diagnosis and treatment. Chiropractors have broad diagnostic skills and are also trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, as well as to provide lifestyle counseling.

Chiropractors use a combination of treatments, all of which are predicated on the specific needs of the individual patient. After taking a complete history and diagnosing a patient, a chiropractor can develop and carry out a comprehensive treatment/management plan, recommend therapeutic exercise and other non-invasive therapies, and provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counselling.

For many conditions, such as lower back pain, chiropractic care is frequently the primary method of treatment. Where other conditions exist, chiropractic care may complement or support medical treatment by relieving the neuromusculoskeletal aspects associated with the condition.

Chiropractic care may also be used to provide symptomatic relief for patients with chronic conditions. According to patient surveys, by treating the neuromusculoskeletal elements of such disorders, chiropractic treatment has been shown to improve the general well-being of the patient.

Chiropractic may assist with the following conditions:

Using the premise that good health depends, in part, upon a normally functioning nervous system, your chiropractor aims to advance nervous system function primarily through chiropractic adjustments to help remove any interference that may be impeding normal health.

The purpose of Chiropractic treatment manipulation is to restore joint mobility by manually applying a controlled force into joints that have become hypomobile – or restricted in their movement – as a result of a tissue injury. Tissue injury can be caused by a single traumatic event, such as improper lifting of a heavy object, or through repetitive stresses, such as sitting in an awkward position with poor spinal posture for an extended period of time. In either case, injured tissues undergo physical and chemical changes that can cause inflammation, pain, and diminished function for the sufferer. Manipulation, or adjustment of the affected joint and tissues, restores mobility, thereby alleviating pain and muscle tightness, and allowing tissues to heal.

Chiropractic adjustment rarely causes discomfort. However, patients may sometimes experience mild soreness or aching following treatment (as with some forms of exercise) that usually resolves within 12 to 48 hours.

In many cases, such as lower back pain, chiropractic care may be the primary method of treatment. When other medical conditions exist, chiropractic care may complement or support medical treatment by relieving the musculoskeletal aspects associated with the condition.

Doctors of chiropractic may assess patients through clinical examination, diagnostic imaging and other diagnostic interventions to determine when chiropractic treatment is appropriate or when it is not appropriate. Chiropractors will readily refer patients to the appropriate health care provider when chiropractic care is not suitable for the patient’s condition, or the condition warrants co-management in conjunction with other members of the health care team.

Commonly, interference to the nervous system can occur at a number of the twenty four moving bones in your the spinal column as well as, potentially occurring at all your other joints in your extremities. A loss of normal motion or position of these bones can irritate or impair the function of the nervous system causing a disturbance in the transmission of controlling nerve impulses.

Chiropractic treatment delivers adjustments to the affected area, re-introducing motion to the joint, gradually restoring normal motion and function.

The chiropractic adjustment is skillfully applied using a specific force in a precise direction, applied to a joint that is fixated, “locked up”, or not moving properly.

This safe and natural procedure is to permit improved spinal function, improved nervous system function, and improved health.

Biomesotherapy is a new therapy consisting of the use of homoeopathic products and the stimulation of specific points in the body with a saline solution. Most of these injections are given under the skin or in the muscles. Although these products have been used in Germany (and the rest of the world) for several decades, the specific name Biomesotherapy came into being about a decade ago. In many countries it is called Biopuncture.

Biomesotherapy is a modality derived from mesotherapy. It is a relatively new therapy in Australia but it is effective in alleviating many types of pain. If you are having trouble finding relief from conventional medicine, why not find out how biomesotherapy works? You may find that it is perfect for you!

Biomesotherapy works by stimulating the body’s own capacity for healing. This is done by using homoeopathic potency natural medicines and the stimulation of acupuncture, trigger points and ‘ashi’ pints.

The homoeopathic medicine is given to the client orally so that the body is able to absorb it faster. The specific medicine chosen is dependent on the organ or tissue that is to be treated. Once the solution has been given of sterile saline solution is injected underneath the skin into an acupuncture or trigger point. This is designed to stimulate the deeper organ systems and is known as the cutivisceral response. The saline solution is exactly the same as the body’s natural fluid makeup.

To properly understand how biomesotherapy works, the client needs to understand acupuncture and trigger points. Acupuncture points are part of Traditional Chinese Medicine and they help to control the flow of energy through the body. Twelve main energy channels are used. Trigger point therapy originated in the USA and trigger points are small knots that are found in the muscles. These trigger points can often cause referred pain.

By using these acupuncture and trigger points, the body’s ability to heal itself is stimulated inflammation is reduced, muscles are relaxed and imbalances are corrected. The point of biomesotherapy is not to suppress pain as many conventional forms of medicine do. Rather, it changes the information in the body in order to promote healing.

Some of the conditions that Biomesotherapy treats include but is not limited to:

Many clients will find relief from their pain merely minutes to hours to work. Depending on the severity of the condition, from 6 to 10 sessions may be needed over a period of a few weeks to ensure that the healing process is ongoing.

A sterile saline solution is inserted just under the skin or into specific acupuncture points and/or ‘ashi’ points. The needles used are very fine, single use, sterile syringes while the depth and speed of the injection is regulated by the practitioner. Most patients are very surprised at how painless the procedure is.

Treatment into and around joints is also common. For example, if you have elbow pain your practitioner will look for painful spots in the arm muscles and may treat each one. In most cases several small treatments are given in a specific zone of the body each session.

Practitioners of Biomesotherapy are using a technique that adheres to strict technical and clinical guidelines. Practitioners have a duty of care as professional clinicians that mandates the use of correct techniques and sterile disposable materials. In order to practice Biomesotherapy, practitioners must meet very stringent requirements including post graduate courses available only to practitioners who are legally permitted to practice human injection techniques. The saline solution used in biomesotherapy procedures is the same isotonic solution used in hospitals and medical clinics.

Very fine needles are used. Most people are surprised how quick and painless the injections actually are. In fact, most patients feel very little or no discomfort at all.

Biomesotherapy cannot heal all your medical problems and is not a miracle therapy. It is up to your practitioner to decide if biomesotherapy appropriate for you. Many patients are treated with biomesotherapy may also use an alternative for pain management.

However it is important to realise that Biomesotherapy isn’t designed to ‘take away’ the pain as with conventional medication. Pain is seen as an important ‘signal’ from your body that something is going wrong. It is similar to a red light on the dashboard of your car: the aim is not to just ‘take it away’ but to look for the deeper cause. This means that if pain can be alleviated with Biomesotherapy, without prescribing painkillers, there is good reason to conclude that the deeper cause of that particular pain has been eliminated.

Although there is pain relief, it is important to realise that biomesotherapy does not suppress the symptoms as is often the case with conventional anti-inflammatories. The procedure reorganises the body’s information to support an enhanced healing response. Pain is an important warning that something is wrong in the body. The source of the pain reaction must be addressed.

European Health Practitioners have been using Biomesotherapy for more than 10 years. There is now a large body of research that supports the use of Biomesotherapy in providing pain relief, through the reduction of inflammation, increased circulation, the relaxation of muscles, repair of fine nerve endings and the stimulation of the body’s healing mechanisms, thereby speeding up the process of injury recovery.

Another important area of Biomesotherapy is detoxification. Detoxification literally means cleaning the body. Toxins that have accumulated in the body from poor healing of injuries, the environment, poor diet or from medication are able to alter the immune’s defense system. This may have the effect of causing in inflammation. Toxins can affect your nervous system, causing pain and discomfort. Detoxification is an important strategy for health promotion, especially when dealing with chronic disease or pain.

This form of treatment is often suggested for those who have tried orthodox medicine without success. Other patients who experience unpleasant side effects from their medication may be seeking alternatives. In some patients it may be advantageous to combine a conventional approach with biomesotherapy. It is not necessary to stop your current pharmaceutical medication if this is prescribed by your doctor.

If in doubt, always contact your practitioner for professional advice on whether this therapy is suitable for you. Each case must be assessed individually by a trained biomesotherapy practitioner.

Mesotherapy performed by a trained physician has very few side effects. On rare occasions the most significant side effect maybe some bruising.

In the majority of cases, patients are able to return to normal duties immediately.

Products used are approved homeopathic medication. The formulations are very focused in action, they are commercially prepared for practitioner use/administration.

The ampoules do not contain high concentrations of the active substances, they contain diluted products. As a result toxic side effects are very unlikely. Additionally the ampoules used in Biomesotherapy are manufactured by companies that guarantee the production quality of their products. Most of the ampoules used are made in Germany and are submitted to very strict quality control regulations and systems. Clinical studies on thousands of patients have confirmed the safety of these medications.

In conventional medicine, the actual drug you take suppresses your symptoms immediately. This is why one needs to take high doses of chemical substances in order to suppress pain. As soon as the medication stops working- medication needs to be repeated. The same goes for anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive, and Statin medications for high cholesterol, these drugs are designed to suppress. However, in Biomesotherapy small doses of products are used in order to stimulate the natural healing processes. These micro doses “wake up” mechanisms which are available anyway. So the healing effect comes from “inside” your body – not from the products themselves. It’s the reaction of your immune system which will produce the proper reactions to regain natural healing. The reaction of the body may vary from improving local blood circulation to relaxation of muscles or local detoxification.

It’s obvious the use of micro-doses are less powerful than for example cortisone injections. The dose used is too small to immediately suppress the inflammation, but that’s not the goal of Biomesotherapy. We consider an inflammation as an important element of true and lasting healing. The goal of Biomesotherpy is to stimulate the natural inflammatory processes in order to get a complete and natural healing of the injured tissues. So we do exactly the opposite of conventional drugs. As a result the symptomatic relief may take a while, especially for chronic cases. But when dealing with acute injuries, the effects of the injections are apparent almost immediately.

The injection is given just under the skin, others are given into specific muscle or pain points. Your practitioner doesn’t give the injections arbitrarily, but they are administered in carefully chosen spots. The site stimulated is as important as the homeopathic medicine itself. Treatment varies for each patient.

Most people, especially those who are apprehensive about injections are surprised how easily and quickly these injections are given. In fact these injections cannot be compared to the ‘usual’ injections given in conventional medicine. They are not as painful because the needle used is very fine and the quantity injected is very small. Indeed they look more like little pinpricks.

In most cases, several injections are given in a specific zone of the body at each session.

It depends entirely on the condition being treated.

If you have had problems for several months or even years, it is a more complicated case and we will need to look for deeper causes of your complaints and work on these. Sometimes your hormonal system has to be regulated, or a detoxification process completed before starting to work on your symptoms. As a result you may need several treatment sessions.

When you realize that these products are natural with no major side effects, you may be motivated to be more patient than usual. In the long run however, the results of biomesotherapy are longer lasting because the healing comes from within and does not depend on the pills you take every day to take away the symptoms.

It is clear that the practitioner who decides to use Biomesotherpy, will always do so according to the latest technical standards. That is his or her duty as a medical professional. This includes a correct injection technique, and of course the use of sterile disposable material. The latter means that the needle has never been in contact with any other patient and that any transmission of disease (e.g. hepatitis, AIDS) is impossible. This should give you confidence in the safety of the technique.

All Biomesotherapists are specifically trained in this modality at a post graduate level.

It all depends, every case is different. Sometimes you improve immediately after the treatment. Critics might describe such a phenomenon as a “placebo effect” by saying that you feel better because you believe you’re going to be feeling better. In Biomesotherapy, such an immediate improvement is rather likely to happen when dealing with a fresh sports injury for example. But as stated previously, when dealing with complaints that have persisted for months or years, things need some time to heal. You may even notice that after the first treatments (especially the day after the treatment) you feel a little worse, experiencing more pain or discomfort after the first session. This is exactly the opposite of the so-called placebo effect! This temporary worsening of complaints usually means that the healing processes are being activated. In Biomesotherpay it is called the “reaction phase”. But when you understand that this means that real healing is on its way, you will be willing to accept these minor reactions in the beginning of the treatment.

Most practitioners use Biomesotherapy for minor musculoskeletal problems. Neck pain and back pain are good indications for Biomesotherapy, but one can also treat sciatica, ankle sprain, pain in the shoulder and Achilles tendonitis using these natural products. Biomesotherapy is also very successful in treating sports injuries, tennis elbow, golf elbow, and other similar conditions. However Biomesotherapy is not just used for pain problems. An area of treatment worth noting is the management of allergies and inflammations. For example, one can treat asthma, eczema and hay fever, even patients with bronchitis, cystitis and sinusitis can be treated with this technique. When a practitioner is experienced in the technique, he or she can also treat you for migraine, tension headache, Crohn’s disease, colitis, Cluster headache and neuralgia.

The use of Biomesotherapy can benefit those patients who have tried conventional medicine but have had no success, or for those who have had to stop taking conventional medication because of side effects. It is an interesting healing technique for those patients who want to avoid surgery (for example for sciatica or sinusitis). In some patients it may be advantageous to combine the conventional approach together with Biomesotherapy. Many people still believe that one has to stop conventional treatments when choosing natural medicine, this is not the case with biomesotherapy.

Let us be clear about it: Biomesotherapy cannot heal you from cancer, diabetes, a heart attack or AIDS. Nor is it an appropriate treatment for high blood pressure, fibromyalgia, Parkinson, depression or epilepsy.

In some cases the disease is too serious or too aggressive, and can only be moderated through conventional medication or surgery. Your family physician will confirm this.

When serious damage has already occurred, biomesotherapy will simply be too late to reverse the damage and bring the body back into balance again. For example, a viral hepatitis can be treated with biomesotherapy in order to support the healing mechanism of the body, but liver cirrhosis is a phase where cells are damaged beyond repair and healing is impossible.

The same is true for chronic problems with the airways. Biomesotherapy can help a lot here as long as there is no emphysema or lung cancer involved. That is why it is so important to first have a diagnosis before starting with biomesotherapy.

Biomesotherapy is a safe and effective anti-ageing treatment. Since its inception, in excess of 15,000 physicians world-wide have used mesotherapy on a daily basis for a variety of purposes, including weight loss, spot weight reduction, cellulite reduction, scar revision and wrinkle elimination.

Mesotherapy is a series of injections which are administered just below the surface of the skin at the location of problem areas. It can be used just about anywhere on the body, but is mostly used to treat abdomen, thighs, buttocks, knees, and ankles.

Besides the cosmetic procedures, Mesotherapy has been used worldwide for treatment of arthritis pain, hair growth and relieving muscle spasms. The most popular uses in the United States are for spot cellulite and fat treatment. Different results and therapies result from using different medications in each patient’s “Mesotherapy cocktail” to achieve the desired results.

Mesotherapy is popular because many patients are getting obvious results without the inherent risks involved in an invasive surgical procedure like Liposuction.

Mesotherapy procedures are safe. The micro injections are always performed by fully trained physicians.
A full patient analysis is performed to find out their body type, metabolism, blood chemistry and hormonal status. This way, they can make sure the patient is a good candidate for mesotherapy and customize the procedures so they are right for each patient. We maintain the highest standards and treatment protocols to ensure the safety of our patients.

There are typically no risks involved with Mesotherapy, but as with any medical procedure, risks cannot be fully ruled out. Some of the most common risks are allergic reactions to the soy-based medications. Side effects such as lumps, bruising, and skin tenderness may occur, but these are temporary and generally subside within a few days. The main benefit is that there is no surgery involved and typically there is no downtime either. Mesotherapy is a great way to get rid of stubborn fat deposits, but it is important to remember that mesotherapy is not meant to be used in place of actual weight loss.

Mesotherapy performed by a trained physician has very few side effects. The most significant side effects are black and blue marks, a 15- to 20-minute burning sensation, mild to moderate soreness for 1-5 days, and (as with any injection) a slight risk of infection. All patients return to work the same day.

Mesotherapy usually causes slight bruising which goes away after 3-7 days. Swelling from mesotherapy is mild and lasts only a few days. Some patients notice a little itchiness for 2-3 hours after their mesotherapy session.

Homeopathic remedies are natural medicines made from plants, minerals, and some animal substances, but by far the largest number are made from plants.

They are prepared in a very unique way so that the final product used in treatment is highly dilute and, therefore, very safe and non-toxic.

Homoeopathic medication may be taken as a liquid or as small sugar pellets are moistened with the medicine, then bottled. The most common way to take a homeopathic remedy is to place a few of these pellets under the tongue and allow them to dissolve. Most people, even small children, find that they taste good and are very easy to take.

The two main differences between herbal medicine and homeopathy are in the way homeopathic remedies are chosen for the patient and the way homeopathic remedies are made.

The selection of homeopathic remedies is highly individualized, taking into account all of the patient’s symptoms, past and present.

Homeopathic remedies are prepared using a very unique process by which they are highly diluted.

The dilution of the medicine as well as the remedy chosen determines the level of health being treated (physical, emotional).

Herbal medicine — also called botanical medicine or phytomedicine refers to using a plant’s seeds, berries, roots, leaves, bark, or flowers for medicinal purposes. Herbalism has a long tradition of use outside of conventional medicine. It is becoming more mainstream as improvements in analysis and quality control along with advances in clinical research show the value of herbal medicine in the treating and prevention of disease.

Plants had been used for medicinal purposes long before recorded history. Ancient Chinese and Egyptian papyrus writings describe medicinal uses for plants as early as 3,000 BC. Indigenous cultures (such as African and Native American) used herbs in their healing rituals, while others developed traditional medical systems (such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine) in which herbal therapies were used. Researchers found that people in different parts of the world tended to use the same or similar plants for the same purposes.

In the early 19th century, when chemical analysis first became available, scientists began to extract and modify the active ingredients from plants. Later, chemists began making their own version of plant compounds and, over time, the use of herbal medicines declined in favor of drugs. Almost one fourth of pharmaceutical drugs are derived from botanicals.

In many cases, scientists aren’ t sure what specific ingredient in a particular herb works to treat a condition or illness. Whole herbs contain many ingredients, and they may work together to produce a beneficial effect. Many factors determine how effective an herb will be. For example, the type of environment (climate, soil quality) in which a plant grew will affect it, as will how and when it was harvested and processed.

Using plants as medicine provides significant advantages for treating many conditions. The therapeutic activity of a plant is due to its complex chemical nature with different parts of the plant providing certain therapeutic effects.

Often, herbs may be used together because the combination is more effective and may have fewer side effects. Health care providers must take many factors into account when recommending herbs, including the species and variety of the plant, the plant’s habitat, how it was stored and processed, and whether or not there are contaminants (including heavy metals and pesticides).

Herbal medicine is used to treat many conditions, such as asthma, eczema, premenstrual syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, migraine, menopausal symptoms, chronic fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, and cancer, among others. Herbal supplements are best taken under the guidance of a trained health care provider. For example, one study found that 90% of arthritic patients use alternative therapies, such as herbal medicine.Be sure to consult with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any herbs.

Used correctly, herbs can help treat a variety of conditions, and in some cases, may have fewer side effects than some conventional medications. But because they are unregulated, herbal products are often mislabeled and may contain additives and contaminants that aren’t listed on the label.

Many herbs can interact with prescription medications, they may cause allergic reactions, or could be toxic if used improperly or at high doses.

Some herbal supplements, especially those imported from Asian countries, may contain high levels of heavy metals, including lead, mercury, and cadmium. It is important to purchase herbal supplements from reputable manufacturers to ensure quality. Be sure to consult your physician before trying any herbal products.

Mainly Herbalists, naturopathic physicians, pharmacists or medical doctors and practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine all may use herbs to treat illness. Naturopathic physicians believe that the body is continually striving for balance and that natural therapies can support this process. They are trained in 4-year, postgraduate institutions that combine courses in conventional medical science (such as pathology, microbiology, pharmacology, and surgery) with clinical training in herbal medicine, homeopathy, nutrition, and lifestyle counseling.

Herbal medicine is the oldest and still the most widely used system of medicine in the world today. It is medicine made exclusively from plants. It is used in all societies and is common to all cultures.

There are many different “types” of herbal medicine that spring from different cultures around the world. All these have the use of medicinal plants in common, but they vary in the plants they use, the way they prepare and use medicines from these plants, and the philosophy of their treatment approaches. Different cultures may also use the same plants but differ in how it is used, or the part they use.

In Australia the most commonly found cultural types of herbal medicine are Western, Aboriginal, Chinese and Ayurvedic (Indian), although there are also many other cultures represented in Australia that utilise their own unique and traditional herbal treatments.

Herbal medicine is increasingly being validated by scientific investigation which seeks to understand the active chemistry of the plant. Many modern pharmaceuticals have been modeled on, or derived from chemicals found in plants. An example is the heart medication digoxin derived from foxglove (Digitalis purpurea).

Considered by many scholars to be the oldest healing science, Ayurveda is a holistic approach to health that is designed to help people live long, healthy, and well balanced lives. It has been practiced in India for at least 5,000 years and has recently become popular in Western cultures. The basic principle of Ayurveda is to prevent and treat illness by maintaining balance in the body, mind, and consciousness through proper drinking, diet, and lifestyle, as well as herbal remedies.

Ayurveda is an intricate system of healing that originated in India thousands of years ago.

Ayurveda is a wholistic system of medicine from India that uses a constitutional model. Its aim is to provide guidance regarding food and lifestyle so that healthy people can stay healthy and folks with health challenges can improve their health

Just as everyone has a unique fingerprint, according to Ayurvedic beliefs, each person has a distinct pattern of energy — a specific combination of physical, mental, and emotional characteristics. It is also believed that there are three basic energy types called doshas, present in every person:

Everyone has vata, pitta, and kapha, but usually 1 or 2 are dominant in a particular person. Many things can disturb the energy balance, such as stress, an unhealthy diet, the weather, and strained family relationships. The disturbance shows up as disease. Ayurvedic practitioners prescribe treatments to bring the doshas back into balance.

Naturopathic Medicine is a distinct system of primary care that addresses the root cause of illness or disease and promotes health and healing using natural therapies. Treatment modalities may include acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Ayurvedic medicine, clinical nutrition, botanical (herbal) medicine, homeopathic medicine, massage techniques, physical therapy, teaching, and lifestyle counselling.

The primary goal of naturopathic treatment is to address the cause of the illness rather than simply treating or suppressing symptoms. While naturopathic care helps to alleviate specific symptoms, NDs are primarily concerned with addressing the root cause of an illness: the focus is more on the “why” of a disease than the “what”.

Naturopathic medicine is a distinct, comprehensive system of healthcare emphasizing the use of natural therapies to promote health and treat and prevent disease. Naturopathic doctors are general practitioners who specialize in natural medicine and follow six important principles in caring for their patients:

Naturopathic Doctors, like other medical professions, such as Medical Doctors, Chiropractors, and Dentists, must apply for admission to a four or five year, full-time accredited degree in Naturopathy.

The basic areas of study for aspiring Naturopathic Doctors include: anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, histology, immunology, microbiology, pathology, and pharmacology. There is also training in clinical and physical diagnosis, differential and laboratory diagnosis, Naturopathic assessment, orthopaedics, and radiology. Then there is the Naturopathic disciplines that include, clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, homeopathic medicine, hydrotherapy, Naturopathic manipulation, rehabilitation therapies and lifestyle counselling. In total there is more than 4,500 hours of classroom training along with 1,500 hours of supervised clinical experience.

Both NDs and MDs attend four-year medical schools, with similar training in the basic sciences such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and pathology.

While also using scientific methods and arriving at many of the same diagnoses as MDs, naturopathic doctors take a more holistic approach and try to understand causes behind a patient’s diagnosis so these can be effectively managed. So, for example, an ND may use herbal or nutritional substances to relieve pain and reduce inflammation in a patient with arthritis, while at the same time use therapies to support healthy joint function and restore damaged tissues. Using a more holistic model, the ND may also look into the role that food intolerances or gastrointestinal health may play in the patient with arthritis. Uncovering these clues can be important in helping patients understand the causes of their conditions and empower them to take a more active role in improving their general health while managing their current “diagnosis.”

Naturopathic Doctors are highly educated primary care providers who integrate standard medical diagnostics with a broad range of natural therapies.

Naturopathic Doctors are primary health care providers. Many patients rely on them as their family doctors. They can also assist in providing Naturopathic medical services that are complementary to treatments recommended by other health care professionals.

Naturopathic health care aims at ‘care of a sick patient’; disease prevention, and ideally keeping the patient in optimal health. This requires a proactive approach between practitioner and patient, and assessment at regular intervals.

Naturopathic doctors do not perform major surgical procedures and would refer patients that required major surgical procedures to consult a Medical Doctor.

However, Patient’s undergoing surgical procedures can benefit from the services of Naturopathic Doctors. They can assist you in building up your body’s natural defences in advance of surgery, then help your body recover more quickly from the trauma caused by surgery.

While there are many similarities in how NDs and MDs are trained and practice, there are also important differences. MDs are taught to focus on obtaining a scientifically-based diagnosis that then guides the therapy offered. Often these therapies are aimed at blocking or suppressing a symptom, such as using pain killers and anti-inflammatory medicines for arthritis or using an antibiotic to treat an infection. This approach is very effective especially for treating emergencies and life-threatening health problems, but it often does not work to correct the causes of health problems and has a poor track record in the treatment of chronic diseases which are difficult to diagnose, such as chronic fatigue. MDs by in large tend to take a reductionist approach to health care; that is they focus on treating the disease not the patient.

While also using scientific methods and arriving at many of the same diagnoses as MDs, naturopathic doctors take a more holistic approach and try to understand causes behind a patient’s diagnosis so these can be effectively managed. So, for example, an ND may use herbal or nutritional substances to relieve pain and reduce inflammation in a patient with arthritis, while at the same time use therapies to support healthy joint function and restore damaged tissues. Using a more holistic model, the ND may also look into the role that food intolerances or gastrointestinal health may play in the patient with arthritis. Uncovering these clues can be important in helping patients understand the causes of their conditions and empower them to take a more active role in improving their general health while managing their current “diagnosis.”

No. Homeopathy is a system of medicine based on the law of similars, or the principal that “like cures like.” Homeopathic remedies are made from plants, minerals and other substances which are given in extremely dilute form. Naturopathic medicine is an eclectic blend of all types of natural medicine, including homeopathy, botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, psychology, etc. Some naturopathic doctors practice homeopathy, but not all homeopaths are naturopaths.

Ours is a family general practice and treat a wide range of conditions from pre-conception to end of life stages. Some examples are allergies and asthma, pain and injury, headaches, digestive problems, skin conditions, menstrual conditions, and fatigue/immune problems, hormonal disorders and panic attacks. Some of our patients have cancer, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, and chronic fatigue syndrome, and we work with them to improve health, often as a complementary treatment to conventional medicine protocols.

Most insurance companies have recognized our profession for insurance coverage. If yours doesn’t cover Naturopathic services we suggest you change insurer.

Today’s naturopathic physicians artfully blend modern, cutting-edge diagnostic and therapeutic procedures with ancient and traditional methods. These physicians are succeeding in their goal to present the world with a healing paradigm founded on a rational balance of tradition, science and respect for nature. Because naturopathic physicians believe in understanding patients from the cellular level up, they actively pursue the latest biochemical findings relating to the workings of the body and the dynamics of botanical medicines, nutrition, homeopathy and other natural therapies. Their diagnoses and therapeutics are increasingly supported by scientific evidence.

At MEDICUS findings from pathology tests or x-ray and ultrasound investigations are important tools for diagnosis and treatment.

This is a very difficult question to answer because there are many factors that can affect the speed of your recovery, including:

• The severity of your illness
• How long you have been sick
• Your stress level
• Your attitude
• Adherence to treatment protocols.

Chronic conditions may require months to bring some type of resolkution and then require ongoing maintenance. Acute conditions are resolved more quickly.

It is important to remember that you will feel better and better throughout the time you are treated. If you end treatment too early, before the disease is fully cured, it is likely your symptoms will return.

Ceasing treatment too soon may mean a reoccurrence of symptoms and and non-resolution of the health issue.

There are many treatment options at MEDICUS. Our testing procedures indicate at each visit the progress that has been made. Medication and treatment options are modified accordingly, therefore, treatment is progressive and not static. Communication between practitioner and patient is also very important.

Yes. We believe in a team approach wherever this will benefit you. We frequently refer to medical specialists to assist us in diagnosis and testing, or to help us monitor people with serious conditions.

We also will refer you to practitioners who do other forms of treatment if these therapies will help you get better and we do not do them ourselves.

Naturopathic treatment can only be successful if we understand you as a whole person. This means we must understand all of your symptoms, past and present, not just your chief complaint.

Also, we must understand what makes you different from other people with the same condition.

There may be many remedies that can potentially treat your condition, but we must find the one that fits you as an individual in order to be successful and achieve cure.

Appropriate follow-up may be the single most important ingredient for success. Even when you are feeling better, these visits give us valuable information that helps us keep your treatment on track for the duration of your treatment.

Some people undergoing treatment will experience the re-occurrence of a symptom they used to have in the past, but were not having when treatment started. This is a very good sign. This only occurs in people who are getting better and usually means the diseases is curable.

Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) are general practitioners of natural medicine. They are trained to treat ailments using clinical nutrition, acupuncture, botanical medicine, physical medicine, lifestyle counselling and homeopathy. Homeopaths, on the other hand, are trained to practise in one discipline – homeopathy. So while a homeopath would prescribe a homeopathic therapy, a Naturopathic Doctor would use any of the approaches listed above, including homeopathy, in their treatments.

During your first visit with an ND an extensive patient history eliciting information about your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health is taken and a complaint-oriented physical exam may be performed. At MEDICUS at your first and subsequent visits there is always some form of testing/re-assessment.

With your input, your ND will propose a personalized treatment plan to help you achieve your health goals.

NDs may have ‘special interests’ in health conditions in which the ND has had extensive treatment experience or holds keen interest, or a modality used preferentially with a high degree of success.

Although at MEDICUS each practitioner may have a special interest in a specific disease or treatment modality, naturopathic care is always holistic in nature and highly individualized and unique to each patient.

Yes. NDs are primary health care practitioners, which means that they can treat the same conditions as a family doctor, including both acute concerns and chronic health conditions. In the event that we are unable to treat your condition, we will refer appropriately to other practitioners. At MEDICUS we are in frequent communication with both medical and complementary practitioners regarding mutual patients.

Privacy of your personal information is an important part of providing you with health care. All practitioners who come into contact with your personal information are aware of the sensitive nature of the information that you have disclosed to us. They are all trained and committed to ensuring the appropriate use and protection of your information.