The Chinese New Year is celebrated from 8th February and this Chinese year is the Year of the Red Fire Monkey! We’ve got a bit of a longer blog entry this time, with a focus on one of our practitioners: Maria McManus.
Our ethos at Phoenix Place For Health is that good health is enjoyed when the mind, body and spirit are in balance and working together harmoniously. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) fits neatly into this ethos. Our practitioners work alongside each other to provide each of our clients a completely holistic approach to healthcare.
As we delve into all things Chinese, we are fortunate enough to have the services of Maria McManus who has over 15 years’ experience in practising Acupuncture within TCM. This is a system of healing that is at least 2500 years old; a holistic treatment which can be used alongside conventional Western medicine. It is suitable for all ages, including babies, children and the elderly.
The Western approach to medicine clearly divides health from disease. The TCM approach considers health as a balanced state versus disease as an unbalanced state. In the case of many chronic diseases and disorders, such as allergies, asthma, insomnia, depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue, PMS, menstrual pain and irregularity, back pain, attention deficit disorder (ADD) and many others, Western medicine offers only palliative care – meaning that symptoms are temporarily relieved with medication or surgery but the underlying cause remains. TCM offers a mode of treatment that aims to identify the root cause of the disorder, while at the same time may help alleviate symptoms.
How does it work?
According to TCM, the vital energy which flows through the body is called “qi”; our bodies have complex pathways through which qi travels. When there is trauma, emotional issues, stress or illness this will have an impact on qi and pain and disease are the result. By inserting needles into specific points, the acupuncturist seeks to re-establish the free flow of qi and thereby help the body to heal and balance itself. The concept of qi is used as the foundation in martial arts and Tai Chi.
A New Year for New Buds!
The New Year always evokes the feeling of new beginnings and new life. Acupuncture may help those with fertility problems by aiming to identify and addressing the root cause(s).
Reasons for fertility issues can range from hormonal imbalance, endometriosis, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome PCOS, fallopian tube abnormalities, quality of semen, genetic disorders, to premature ovarian failure.
As you may or may not know Mid Essex CCG stopped IVF funding from September 2014. This decision has been devastating for many couples whose only hope was IVF for various medical reasons.
Trying to conceive can be very stressful and an anxious time, as well as all consuming. Life revolves around the time of ovulation and life is put on hold. In many cases Mother Nature sometimes needs a helping hand; simple things like lifestyle changes; de-stressing and some helpful advice may make a difference.
Maria, as a mother who started a family in later in life, is all aware of the pressures and found acupuncture most helpful. She is a member of the Acupuncture Fertility Network (AFN), which is a special interest group of acupuncturists dedicated to supporting those with fertility issues.
