top of page
Search

Autumn Time and Our New Practitioners

Writer's picture: Stephen PateStephen Pate



In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the season of Autumn is associated with the element of metal, the lungs and large intestine. Autumn is characterised by dryness, clarity and contraction whilst it is also the time for harvesting and letting go. In TCM, the main emotions of the season are grief and sadness.


Respiratory issues such as colds and flu, digestive issues such as constipation or diarrhoea, and emotional issues such as excess sadness and grief may result from imbalance in the body.

In order to stay balanced during this time, it is important to exercise, which improves lung function, avoid eating too many raw foods which can impact the intestines by disrupting digestion and take time to reflect on emotions in order to process sadness.


The best way to maintain lung and large intestine balance in Autumn is by eating warm, nourishing foods such as root vegetables (carrots, sweet potatoes), warming spices (ginger, cinnamon, turmeric), soups and stews. Getting plenty of rest and practicing deep breathing exercises is necessary to assist with lung health. Finally self-care rituals such as yoga, meditation and journaling are imperative for emotional equilibrium.

 

PLEASE WELCOME


We’re excited to announce the growth of our team.


Over the next few weeks you’ll be seeing some new faces around the clinic. We have some incredible practitioners in the field of both Traditional Chinese Medicine and Remedial Massage who have joined us here at PANM. We can’t wait for you to meet them.


In addition to this, we have also introduced Naturopathy as a service offering.


Please give a warm welcome to our new Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners: Ella YongQi Zhang, Ryan Whatford and Caitlin Harwyne (who also practices Remedial Massage).


Meanwhile, our very own Myotherapist, Tam Philippe, has commenced her time here as a clinical Naturopath and is now available for consults.


Their descriptions are available below.



Doctor of Chinese Medicine - Ella (YogQi) Zhang


Ella (YongQi) Zhang is a qualified Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine Practitioner and Acupuncturist with a Bachelor in Health and Applied Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine. As a third generation Chinese medicine practitioner, Ella has followed the footsteps of her parents and grandmother whilst being surrounded by the theories of ancient practice from early childhood. With a background in evidence-based studies, Ella combines traditional techniques with modern science to deliver effective treatments. She holds a particular interest in mental health, women’s health and sports injury management. Ella is multilingual in English, Mandarin and also understands Cantonese. Her special interests include working with mental health, women’s health, sports injury. Please feel free to say hi to Ella if you see her around the clinic and for those interested in booking an appointment. ​Ella is available on: Saturday 9am - 3pm



Doctor of Chinese Medicine - Ryan Whatford


After selling his Chinese Medicine clinic in Byron Bay, Ryan has returned to Melbourne to be closer to family. Throughout his 6 years of practice Ryan’s clinical focus has spanned a range of immunological, psychological, digestive, musculoskeletal, general pain related issues and undiagnosed conditions. With a background in Ayurvedic medicine and meditation, Ryan was drawn to Chinese medicine after he spent time with his teachers in the ashrams, temples and even Himalayan caves of India. There, he studied Kriya Yoga and worked to understand the body’s subtle energy (Qi) system.

After realising his natural affinity to work Qi through the body he decided that it was time to use his gifts to heal and went on to complete a Bachelor of Health Science, majoring in both Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine, graduating his clinical examinations with flying colours! When Ryan treats you, he works with you to clear, rebalance and harmonise your meridians and organ systems. Ryan is registered with AHPRA and is a member of ANTA. Ryan is available on: Thursday 3pm - 8pm and Friday 9am - 6pm



Doctor of Chinese Medicine / Remedial Massage Therapist Caitlin Harwyne


Caitlin is a Chinese Medicine Practitioner and Remedial Massage Therapist who works with traditional and evidence-based methods to get the best results. She believes in holistic health care and will help determine the imbalance in your life, assessing physical, emotional and environmental factors. As well as treating the acute signs and symptoms, Caitlin aims to understand the root cause of your health concerns and will work with you to make realistic and sustainable lifestyle changes to help you achieve your health goals.

Caitlin enjoys the diversity of general practice but has a keen interest in treating women’s health, acute and chronic pain conditions, mental and emotional wellbeing and sleep issues. Treatments may include acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion, Chinese herbal medicine and massage.

Caitlin is registered under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and is a member of The Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA). She is covered by most major health funds and her patients are eligible for private health insurance rebates on Acupuncture and Remedial Massage consultations.


Caitlin is available on: Wednesday and Friday 10am- 6pm


Naturopath - Tam Philippe


As a qualified Naturopath, Tam combines scientific evidence-based research and holistic, traditional herbal medicine practices to create individualised treatments, supporting each patient closely on their journey to optimum health.


She utilises a mixture of modalities such as botanical medicine, nutraceuticals, flower essences, dietary and lifestyle modification as well as behavioural change and functional testing to help her patients achieve their wellness goals.


Tam’s special interests include but are not limited to:

- Stress management - Mental Health - Sleep/ Insomnia - Immune Support - Gastrointestinal Health - Perimenopause & Menopause - Chronic Health Conditions Tam is available: Monday 9am - 1pm and Friday 1pm - 5pm

 

ANXIETY & 2023

by Naturopath Tam Philippe


The year is flying by! I’m not sure about you but I feel like this year is speeding down the highway and I am wrestling the wheel to stay in my lane. After the slow pace of our covid period we have jumped straight into the fast lane and between Christmas, New Year and some beautiful sunny days it has been go, go, go! I was just getting the hang of writing a January date and now we are hurtling towards March. So many activities - travel, back to office, work, school, camps, social catch ups, sport, etc. Activities you may love, with people you enjoy, but it can feel overwhelming. We have lost the excuse to stay home and have some time out but it is important to look after yourself and your mental health. Anxiety can set in. Stress can increase. For you this could manifest in panic attacks, social isolation, sleep problems, avoiding situations or simply the inability to relax. It could be that you only experience mild symptoms but it’s enough to know you feel off balance and out of sorts. Maybe you lie awake at night with your brain going a million miles an hour, fighting to relax and try to sleep, then start worrying that you’re not getting enough sleep! In the naturopathic space we have so many natural health tools to help with symptoms of anxiety and stress, as well as looking at the triggers and related cofactors. When the body is stressed it runs at an accelerated rate to cope with the ‘fight or flight’ state that occurs when our adrenaline increases. Our digestion is sub optimal, effecting nutrient absorption, which then decreases the cofactors available to make the energy we need, leaving us tired, fatigued with low mood. When these stressors are ongoing it leads to a state of exhaustion, interrupting many systems in the body including our immune system which is why we often get sick when we are run down. Naturopathically, we have beautiful adaptogen herbs, flower essences and nutrients that can enhance energy during fatigue and reduce stress responses to the immune system. Combined with lifestyle changes, dietary improvements and relaxation techniques, that overwhelming feeling can lessen, stress levels can reduce, blood pressure can decrease, immune health may increase, sleep may strengthen and digestion as well as mood and daily function can improve. Here at PANM we pride ourselves on moving at a pace that you are comfortable with. Adding complicated health options can increase stress and anxiety. We work with you one-on-one to find a treatment option that suits your budget, your lifestyle and your goals.

30 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Commentaires


©2023 Peninsula Natural Medicine Pty Ltd - Proudly created with Wix.com

Serving the communities of the Morninton Peninsula, including:  Balnaring, Blairgowrie, Bittern, Cape Schanck, Capel Sound, Dromana,  Flinders, Frankston, Hastings, McCrae, Main Ridge, Merricks, Mornington, Moorooduc, Mount Eliza, Mount Martha, Point Nepean, Point Leo, Portsea, Red Hill,  Rosebud, Rye, Safety Beach, Shoreham, Somers, Somerville, Sorrento, St Andrews Beach, Tootgarook and Tuerong.

bottom of page