Services
Acupuncture
Chinese Medicine, including Acupuncture, has been the primary healthcare treatment option in China for over 3,000 years and there is little that hasn’t been treated using this system. Whilst it treats many symptoms and conditions, both acute and chronic, it is also used as preventative health care.
Chinese Medicine theory is founded on the concept that the body is governed by blood and qi (or energy) and how they flow throughout as system of channels or meridians. When the flow of energy is smooth, all organs are functioning well, and the body is in harmony. When there are blockages within these channels, the flow of energy is disturbed which leads to the body being out of balance and illness or pain may occur.
Acupuncture involves inserting thin, fine needles into the skin at specified acupuncture points throughout the body. The aim of this process is to adjust the flow of energy within the body and unblock channels, to encourage balance to be restored. These blockages of energy within the body can be caused by physical injury or trauma, poor diet, emotional distress or overwork.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recognises acupuncture effective in the treatment of a wide variety of conditions.
Dry needling is a technique most often used by physiotherapists, osteopaths and chiropractors where a needle is inserted into a myofascial trigger point, tendon or joint to release tension or pain. These trigger points are hard nodules within a taut muscle band that are often painful to touch. By inserting a needle into this trigger point, the area responds with a twitch which is said to release the area of tension. Often this can feel quite uncomfortable for the patient. Some dry needling courses cover 16 hours of training, enabling the practitioner to treat.
In Ancient Chinese Medicine texts written over 1,000 years ago, they describe these trigger points as Ashi points. Acupuncturists use a similar, but more subtle technique to release the tension in these points, similar to achieving a twitch response. When a needle is inserted, there is the arrival of Qi or energy at the point, which is called the arrival of ‘de qi’. It isn’t always necessary to obtain a twitch response to get a positive outcome.
At West Coast Holistic Health, we use a finer needle than those typically used in dry needling treatments.
An acupuncture consultation will begin with the practitioner asking a series of question that may or may not seem relevant to your presenting symptom/s. You will be asked to show your tongue (please don’t scrape it prior to your appointment) and your pulse will be taken. These techniques are tools used to diagnose from a Chinese Medicine perspective. The practitioner may then perform acupuncture and/or cupping therapy as well as dietary and exercise advice.
All needles used at West Coast Holistic Health are single use which are disposed of in sharps containers according to Australian guidelines.
MASSAGE
Massage is one of the oldest forms of healthcare systems in the world, with many cultures having recorded some form of massage method. Today there are still many styles of massage available, all having different and valuable therapeutic benefits.
It is the manipulation, manoeuvring and kneading of soft tissues, particularly muscles, of the body to improve one’s health and wellbeing. Massage can be used to help with acute or chronic pain, especially from repetitive physical activities, rehabilitation from injuries and/or surgery, reduction of stress or anxiety and relaxation.
All massages are performed to focus on your areas of concern and the pressure will be adjusted according to your level of tolerance and comfort. Massage, of any style, doesn’t need to be painful or unpleasant to obtain a positive outcome. Your comfort is our priority and is the key to a positive treatment.
- Remedial Massage
This is effective to assist with resolving tension in the body whether working with an injury, a recurring issue or muscular strain. It assists the body in pumping the tissues with blood whilst supporting the elimination of metabolic waste from the cells, which allows for the renewal of cells within the affected tissue. Massage helps by reducing muscle fatigue and aiding recovery which leads to healthier muscles and improved training.
Kylie has worked with elite sporting teams including the All Blacks and the Wallabies, the English Rugby League team, QLD Maroon (State of Origin team), several NRL rugby league teams, Fremantle Dockers, BBL Cricket Teams and Melbourne Victory.
- Pregnancy Massage
As your body changes during pregnancy, you may notice aches and pains in places previously without issues. Pregnancy is very demanding on the body and it’s more important than ever to keep your body at its optimum.
We provide an individualised approach and tailor a pregnancy massage to suit your presenting concerns. Techniques are a mix of remedial and relaxation designed to alleviate tension and leave you feeling relaxed.
Kylie is highly sought after and well regarded for her pregnancy massage knowledge and experience. Massages are conducted whilst in a side lying position providing optimal support for the body.
- Orthopaedic Massage
Whilst similar techniques to remedial massage, orthopaedic massage focuses on the rehabilitation of soft tissue. The primary aim is to restore structure within muscle groups of the affected area however, we often see compensation patterns also needing release. Secondary is decreasing pain and increasing range of motion, assisting the body to repair enabling you to return to your regular activities with ease.
Combined with post-operative physiotherapy, hydrotherapy exercises and land-based exercise rehabilitation, orthopaedic massage is a great compliment to post surgery rehabilitation and continued maintenance. Whether you’ve had a knee or hip replacement, ankle, shoulder or spinal surgery, Kylie has worked alongside orthopaedic physiotherapists providing post-surgery massage care.
Cupping
Cupping is a treatment that sits under the Chinese Medicine umbrella and is a technique involving the use of glass cups as suction devices. They are placed on the skin to assist in the dispersing of stagnation by drawing congested blood or energy to the surface. It is believed the skins’ pores open, stimulating blood and oxygen flow, creating an avenue for toxins to be drawn out of the body.
Glass cups are warmed using an alcohol-soaked cotton ball which is lit and then placed inside the cup. Burning this inside the cup removes the oxygen thus creating a vacuum. Whilst it is burning, the cup is placed upside down and the cup is placed on a specific area of the body, depending on what is being treated. The cup is anchored to the skin via the vacuum that has been created which then pulls the skin upward as the air inside cools. Flames are not used near the skin. It is simply used for the heat that causes the suction action.
Once applied, cups are generally left in place for ten minutes or sometimes they can be gently moved across the skin. Commonly referred to as sliding cupping.
Side effects of cupping may include red or purple marks similar to bruising on the body, which usually disappear within 2-10 days. These marks are not bruising and generally should not hurt.
Yoga
The practice of Yoga is a mind – body connection with a history that can be traced back over 5,000 years. The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit word yui which means to yoke or bind.
It is believed some 2,000 years ago, an Indian sage, Patanjali collated the practice of Yoga into the Yoga Sutra. This collection of statements serves as a philosophical guidebook for the numerous styles of yoga that are practiced today. It outlines Eight Limbs which include the physical postures (called asana) with breathing techniques (pranayama) and meditation (dhyani).
More recently, yoga has become a popular form of exercise with most people practicing yoga engaged in the third limb asana. These poses are practiced regularly to open the body, improving flexibility and strength required to sit for long periods in meditation (dhyani). Not only does yoga have many physical benefits it also helps lower stress levels.
There are many different styles of yoga with most forms in the west classified as Hatha Yoga which refers to the practice of asana. So, Power Yoga, Ashtanga, Iyengar, Bikram…. are all Hatha yoga. Hatha Yoga is aimed at calming the mind, body and spirit in preparation for meditation.
Kylie holds her 200-hour teacher qualifications and has done further studies including yin yoga as well as pre and post-natal yoga.
