Acupuncture for Endometriosis

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Acupuncture is frequently used to assist in the regulation of hormones and the reduction of inflammation.  This is why it is commonly used to great effect in the treatment of a condition called endometriosis.  Endometriosis is a condition whereby  some of the tissue lining of the uterus, called the endometrium, grows outside of the uterus. Endometriosis is a progressive, chronic condition and is often very painful.  It is also associated with infertility as this endometrial tissue can interfere with fallopian tubes and result in ovarian endometrial cysts.  It is estimated that up to 1 in 10 women suffer from endometriosis which is over 700,000 women in Australia alone.

In a recent study researchers found acupuncture more effective than hormone drug therapy for the treatment of endometriosis. Acupuncture relieves menstrual pain, reduces the size of pelvic masses, lowers CA125 levels, and reduces the recurrence rate of endometriosis. CA125 a is biomarker for several types of cancer and benign conditions including endometriosis and menstrual disorders.

Researchers in the study compared the symptoms in patients receiving acupuncture with those receiving standard drug therapy. According to their findings patients receiving acupuncture achieved a 92.0% total effective rate, whilst patients receiving mifepristone achieved only a 52.0% total effective rate. In addition to this benefit acupuncture has no side effects unlike drug therapy.

This supports what the Restore acupuncturists see daily – that acupuncture can result in significant reduction of symptoms of endometriosis and reduce its recurrence.

Osteopathy for Headaches

A Night With The Resilience Project

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I was very fortunate last night to attend a lecture by the team from the Resilience Project.  The Resilience Project was formed to help combat the rise in mental health disorders in Australian society. They provide evidence based, practical strategies to help build resilience – or the ability to weather lifes’ inevitable challenges.  They do this through emotionally engaging programs at schools and workplaces and lectures such as the one last night at the Seymour Centre.

Through the daily practice of feeling gratitude, showing empathy to others, and practicing mindfulness, research has shown that depression and anxiety are significantly reduced.  Other important factors are a healthy diet (particularly one low in sugar), regular exercise and reducing use of devices.  By taking small, daily steps to care for our mental health as much as our physical health we can assist our own mental resilience, and set a good example for our children.

I found the talk of great benefit as it is very important for Restores health practitioners to look after their own welfare in order to be at our best to care for our patients each day.  If you think that your community, workplace or school would benefit from listening to a talk by the Resistance Project, just go to their website click here and find out more about what they do.  For more information on building resilience in children you can go to the Beyond Blue website page about this issue here.

Osteopathy for Headaches

Pain and Depression

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Picture of woman with pain

Musculoskeletal pain can significantly restrict a person’s life and their ability to function to their full potential. Whilst people love to be social and get together to walk, play sport or go to the park, if we are restricted by pain, it can affect our social lives, and then inevitably, our mental health.  Pain influences our mood and personal wellbeing, creating feelings of anxiety, stress and worry. That is why there is a strong link between pain and mental health.

Pain is very real for the 6.9 million Australians living with musculoskeletal conditions. Whilst debilitating, the reality is that without pain management, a third (34%) of Australians who are impacted by chronic pain, will develop mental health conditions. As 30%–40% of people with chronic pain report major depression, the uncertainty of a full recovery results in feelings of despair and defeat. This creates a vicious cycle between our physical and mental wellbeing.

Osteopaths use manual medicine to treat patients with musculoskeletal pain.  Osteopathy considers the pain and the person together to provide a personal therapy. As osteopaths, our task is to look for the main contributors to your pain.  We then provide education, manual therapy and a management plan that is focused on how you can reduce your pain and prevent re- occurrence.  We also help you to make a plan to manage your mental health during this time, including prescribing exercise, meditation, reducing unhelpful habits such as poor diet and alcohol.  This may also involve referring you to your GP or psychologist if appropriate.

I would encourage those struggling with musculoskeletal pain and experiencing associated feelings of anxiety and depression to visit an osteopath. At Restore Health & Wellness we have experienced, professional osteopaths available 6 days per week.

To read more about how osteopathy can help you go to the Osteopathy Australia website at www.osteopathy.org.au.

 

Osteopathy for Lower Back Pain

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Low back pain is the single biggest cause of years lived with disability worldwide.  It is therefore also a major challenge to international health systems. In 2018, the Lancet Low Back Pain Series Working Group identified a global problem of mismanagement of low back pain.  The group documented the phenomenon of unnecessary care whereby patients receive health services which don’t follow international guidelines.  There was strong evidence that this unnecessary care, including complex pain medications, spinal imaging tests, spinal injections, hospitalisation and surgical procedures, were hazardous for most patients with low back pain.  

The first intervention for what we call “simple” lower back pain (no neurological signs and symptoms) should be conservative.  At Restore this is osteopathic treatment, rest, anti-inflammatories if appropriate, and ergonomic and exercise advice.  At Restore we have always found that conservative management, lifestyle changes, improvement in strength and osteopathic care have a significant improvement in symptoms of lower back pain, and in the majority of patients will resolve it entirely.

If neurological signs are present e.g. burning, numbness, we will always refer patients 

 

 

Exciting New Research into Osteoporosis

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Scientists at the University of Nottingham have been researching how to trigger new bone growth in people with osteoporosis.  They have been using liquid bone tissue created from material containing stem cells. The technique could be used to target specifically weak and fragile bones in those who suffer from osteoporosis.  This would in turn help to prevent fractures.

  A representative for the University of Nottingham’s team, Dr Ifty Ahmed said he and his team aimed to provide a preventative treatment for fractures associated with osteoporosis.  The experimental treatment is yet to be trialed on humans, but if successful would aim to find people at risk and strengthen their bones. Previous attempts at regenerating weak bones in sufferers of osteoporosis have failed due to the fragile nature of the stem cells required to do the job.

What an amazing step forward in the fight against osteoporosis.  To read more about this research click here.