welcome ...

to the first edition of The Healing Point newsletter. Our newsletter will come out quarterly at the beginnning of each season and will be a great way for us to stay in touch and share the lastest news and useful information such as case studies, health tips, seasonal recipes etc. The content of the newsletter will come from the combined wealth of our knowledge and experience as practitioners, compiled by Mandana.

The end of 2008 has been eventful with our 5th anniversary as a multi-disciplinary health centre, bidding our farewell to our much valued osteopath, Maria, and welcoming our new osteopath, Allanna Treweek, joining our team in February. Two different Qigong courses are starting in February and our open classes are back on after the break, Qigong on Tuesday nights and Kundalini Yoga on Thursday nights. But more about all that in the newsletter ...
I hope you enjoy reading it. Best wishes for your health and wellbeing in 2009!

Sono Michetti & The Healing Point Team

health tip • a simple exercise to protect your wrists & elbows

The ligaments and tendons around wrists and elbows are often strained by repetitive motions in our work environment or in sporting activities. This simple but effective exercise relieves pain in both elbows and wrists as well as preventing repetitive strain injuries, including Carpel Tunnel Syndrome and Tennis Elbow.

Place both your palms in front of your chest in a prayer position, fingers pointing straight up, whilst keeping your back straight, neck long and your shoulders down and relaxed. Gently press palms against each other and slowly push them downwards so that you can feel the stretch on the inside of your wrists. Breathe deeply and remain in this position for the count of ten. Now place the backs of your hands against each other in front of your chest with your fingers pointing downwards. Keep your back straight, neck long and your shoulders down and relaxed. Gently press the backs of your hands together and move your hands slowly upward so you can feel the stetch on the top of your wrists. Breathe deeply and remain in this position for the count of ten.

If you are using a computer keyboard all day or are engaged in any other repetitve motion that puts strain on your writst and elbows, stop a couple of times a day and do this simple exercise to protect your precious joints.

The Osteopathic Team

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seasonal recipe • Quinoa Tabouleh

Quinoa has been grown in the Andes for thousands of years and was revered by the ancient Incas as 'the mother grain'. Quinoa is a complete protein and has the highest protein and fat content of all grains. It strenghthens the whole body, specially the kidneys and heart. Quinoa is easy to digest and contains more calcium than milk and is high in lysine. It is also a excellent source of iron, phosphorous, B vitamins, and vitamin E. Cook 1 cup of quinoa with 2 cups of water and a pinch of sea salt for 15-20 min. Combine with vegetables, legumes or meats, in stir-frys, as a breakfast cereal or in grain salads. Hope you enjoy this yummy and healthy dish.

Bring quinoa to a boil with 2 cups of water and a pinch of sea salt. Reduce the heat to low, using a flame diffuser, allow to simmer for 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and let sit for another 5 minutes before removing the lid. Meanwhile, bring water to a boil and cook peas for 3 minutes. If using corn, blanch this next for 3 minutes. Transfer the quinoa to a bowl. Add the peas, corn, onions, sun-dried tomatoes and parsley and mint. Drizzle with olive oil, lemon juice and umeboshi vinegar. Mix well and serve on a bed of rocket with toasted pine nuts. You could also add some fresh tomatoes, minced garlic, red capscium, snow peas or even a few olives. It's a summer winner!

Recipe courtesy of Sahaja from The Great Life www.thegreatlife.com.au
Sahaja has been teaching Macrobiotic/Wholefoods cooking in Perth for 14 years and is a
Macrobiotic Counselor/Educator and Accredited Journey Practitioner.

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Maria Carey • farewell

Many of you already know - and are feeling sad as we are - that Maria Carey has left Perth at the end of last year and moved back over east to be closer to her family. She was a much loved collegue and treasured practitioner, who has contributed so much to this place in the two and half years she was with us. Always present, responsive and helpful, she extended her care and professional skills in every situation without a moment's hesitation, the goodness of her heart ever so apparent. We will miss Maria, but wish her all the very best for her new and exciting start in Frankston, Victoria. Maria will be working in Melbourne at Body & Health Creation, if you would like to look her up on your travels.

"Goodbye and thankyou to Sono and Mandana and all of my colleagues at the Healing Point and to all of the wonderful people who have shared their stories with me. It has been a privilege to work with you and an honour to help when I could. I know that you will be in very good hands with Allanna. I'm returning to my homelands (Victoria) after nearly 12 years away, to be closer to my family and to get married. I will remember each and every experience here in Fremantle, very fondly. Take care and get in touch if you venture across the Nullarbor." Maria

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our new osteopath • Allanna Treweek

We're excited to introduce our new osteopath, Allanna Treweek, who will be joining our team at the beginning of February. Allanna is a youthful, dynamic and confident osteopath, interested in sports and passionate about her profession. Allanna uses a similar treatment approach to Maria and with the same amount of experience as Maria, she'll be able to continue to look after your osteopathic needs with competence and integrity. Allanna is moving over to Perth from Melbourne where she has been working in some of Melbourne's most esteemd Osteopathic clinics. Click here if you would like to find out more about Allanna's background. We are extending a warm welcome to Allanna and wish her all the best for her fresh start here in Fremantle.

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8 Treasures Qigong • course starting on 17 Feb

8 Treasures™ Qigong is more than physical exercise that promotes flexibility and muscular strength. Based on the ancient wisdom of Chinese Sages it applies the understanding how Qi, life energy, circulates in the human body and in the cosmos at large to promote health and wellbeing on all levels. 8 Treasures™ Qigong is a fantastic 32 movement form that combines flowing movements which are toning and strengthening with light stretches and synchronized breathing into a complete daily exercise system. If you are looking for a complete and safe workout that is able to give you physical health, emotional & mental equanimity and strength of spirit, then the 8 Treasures might be the right exercise for you. The 8 Treasures are best suited if you are self-motivated and like to learn a form that you can practise in your own time upon completion of this course. A half hour of practice time 2-3 times per week between classes is required to successfully complete the course.

Course starts 17 Feb and runs over 18 weeks on Tuesday mornings from 7:00 - 8:30am. Click here to find out more details about this beautiful movement art.

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8 Pieces of Brocade Qigong | Ba Duan Jin • course starting on 25 Feb

The 8 Pieces of Brocade - Ba Duan Jin - is one of China's most popular and widely practised set of Qigong movements. They consist of 8 simple yet powerful exercises that combine movements with light stretches. The 8 Pieces of Brocade are easy to learn and perform and suitable for anybody, young or old, healthy or unwell. Duration of practice can vary depending on how many repetitions are done of each exercise which makes them easy to fit into one's daily routine. Regular practice of Ba Duan Jin Qigong clears blockages from organs and channels, promotes flexibility and strength, boosts immunity and increases energy levels and stamina.

Course starts 25 Feb and runs over 4 weeks on Wednesday mornings from 7:00 - 8:00am. Click here to find out more details about the course.

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product focus • Zinc fix

Zinc is an essential mineral that is required for many vital processes in the body, such as healthy immune function, cell division, protein and DNA synthesis, wound healing and catalytic activity for more than 100 enzymes. Zinc is required for healthy hair, nails and skin, proper sense of taste and smell, growth and maintenance of muscles, healthy development during pregnancy and childhood, and sexual development in adolescence. Zinc also promotes hormonal health and protects the prostate gland.

Zinc is naturally present in foods such as oysters, meats, dairy products, beans, nuts and whole grains. Many people today are low in zinc, as we are not getting enough dietary zinc in the food we eat due to depleted soils, which is especially true for Western Australia. Vegetarians are more prone to zinc deficiency as more bio-available zinc comes from animal source. Phytic acid found in whole grains inhibits zinc absorption, and it is therefore recommended to soak grains and legumes overnight or for several hours to neutralize phytic acid and increase mineral absorption. Symptoms of zinc deficiency are poor immunity, allergies, night blindness, loss of smell, hair loss, white spots under finger nails, skin problems, sleep disturbances, infertility in men and menstrual disorders in women etc. Once the body has become deficient in zinc it is difficult to regulate it with diet alone and the intake of a zinc supplement may be needed bring levels up to normal.

Sophia Moermond, our Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner and Naturopath, recommends zinc in liquid or powder form for maximum absorption. A product that she has had particular good success with is Zinc Fix from Ethical Nutrients. Zinc Fix is highly absorbable, tastes pleasant and is therefore easy to take for adults and children. Click here for a complete profile of Zinc Fix. If you have more specific questions or needs regarding your general health, dietary requirements or particular health problems, you may want to book a consultation with Sophia and she will be able to attend to your needs personally.

Also if you would like to know if you are deficient in zinc, there is a quick and easy zinc test we can give you next time you come to The Healing Point. Just ask your practitioner or the receptionist and we'll be happy to give you the test, it only takes a minute and is free of charge.

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our 5th anniversary

It's hard to believe ... The Healing Point has just celebrated its 5th anniversary as a multi-disciplinary health centre! We all celebrated over a fine meal, looking back at how it started, how it continues to grow and evolve, remembering all the practitioners that had come and gone, contributing along the way, appreciating all the great collegues that are still here. Looking back at how I started back in 1994, working for many years on my own ... and now I can only say ... I'm so happy to part of this wonderful team! To have trusted and experienced collegues to share with, to have all you beautiful people seek us out for treatment. Many of you so sincere in your quest for a deeper wellbeing and balance in your life, so ready to make a change, no matter how big or small. Often your sharing is so heartfelt, fresh and alive, it moves me with gratitude to see the beauty of the human heart, recognizing in those instances that it is love, for Self and Other, that our existence is truly about. A big Thank You to eveyone who has supported us over the years!

Sono Michetti · Healing Point Founder & Chinese Medicine Practitioner

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case study • menstrual pain & Chinese Medicine

Presentation:
The patient sought treatment for painful periods. She had suffered from this condition since the onset of menstruation in her teens, bedridden with severe painful cramping and sickness for 3-4 days each cycle, despite taking a mixture of painkillers. During this time she would also experience diarrhoea, often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Her periods were heavy, at times flooding with bright red blood and she was prone to fainting during her cycle. Her cycle was also prolonged, lasting 7-10 days, as well as late anywhere from 2 days to 3 weeks. The late periods had improved in the last couple years which she attributed to practicing regular yoga. She reported occasional breast tenderness and hard bloated abdomen prior to onset of menstruation, however no emotional PMT.

History and Other Symptoms:
She had a medical history of meningitis and glandular fever along with various gynecological procedures and negative reactions to contraceptive approaches. She also experienced difficulty falling asleep with a racing mind and body in overdrive. She would occasionally take sleeping pills if needed. She also suffered from hayfever, palpitations and occasional increase in heart rate. She had a stressful job and personal life in the 18 months prior and described a feeling of holding stress in her body. She also reported that many of her signs and symptoms decreased with relaxation. Despite the depletion and severity of her health complaints the patient presented as an optimistic and energetic individual.

TCM Findings:
Pulse: Thready, slightly fast, and fine at Qi depth. Tense, pounding and choppy at organ depth, liver blood unclear, smooth vibration overall.
Tongue: Normal shape. Purple/pink body colour. Lots of red spots on sides and rear/root of tongue. Medium to thick dirty white coat.
TCM Diagnosis: Qi and blood stagnation, liver Qi stagnation, heat in the blood, spleen Qi deficiency with disruption to the chong mai (sea of blood).

Treatment 1: Acupuncture to relieve Qi and blood stagnation, harmonize the liver, regulate the chong mai and tonify the spleen. Chinese herbal pills to resolve blood stagnation were given 3 times daily for 3 weeks.

Treatment 2: Three weeks later the patient reported overall that everything was much better. She suffered less with her last period, decreased the amount of painkillers, was able to continue her normal activities, had only mild nausea and the flow was less heavy. Pulse was less pounding, tongue about the same. Acupuncture was administered along with a different herbal formula in granulated form.

Treatment 3: Four weeks later, the last period was more painful again than the previous one, but still not as bad as before. She had some nausea but no vomiting. The cycle was regular at 27 days and was less heavy than the previous. Overall she was less stressed and sleep was average. Acupuncture was administered along with the same granulated herbal formula. An additional granulated formula was given to be used for pain during the cycle.

Treatments 4,5,6: The patient initially wasn't able to come for weekly treatments due to circumstances, but at this point treatments at weekly intervals were administered to address the deeper underlying causes of the painful periods, stress levels, fatigue and sleeping problems. Acupuncture and herbal formulas were continued and varied as required.

Treatment 7: Overall improvement in all areas., less duration of pain. Period cycle came after 30 days and was less heavy & bright and les prolonged. Used painkillers first couple days, most pain on day 2 which was more contained with a focal stabbing sensation.

Treatment 11: Period cycle came after 30 days. There was no severe cramping this time and the pain was more of a deep ache through the whole abdomen rather than an epicentre. Pain killers were used only 3-4 times. Flow was less heavy and the duration of the cycle was 5 days.

Treatment 15: After 5 months of regular treatment and herbs, period cycle came after 30 days again. No painkillers at all were used! Experienced some spasms and was able to rest on day off. No heavy bleeding and blood dark red insteasd of bright. Still having diarrhoea with cycle and fatigue.

Summary:
The patient was extremely pleased with the improvement of her long standing menstrual complaints as well as the overall benefits to her health and well being. She reported feeling much calmer, sleeping better, being more resilent to stress and less bothered by emotional issues from the past. Although the severity of the patients symptoms reduced remarkedly after a couple of treatments, she decided it was in her best interest to maintain regular weekly treatment and herbs for a year in order to address underlying causes and long term stress in her body/mind.

After one year she reported having several cycles in a row at 28 days and would only resort to painkillers occasionally if her period occured during her busy work days. After that the patient continued treament at fortnghtly, then monthly intervals addressing various issues as they arose such as digestive upsets, flus & colds, fatigue and stress along with regulating her cycles. The periods remained overall improved with the occasional increase in pain usually due to working too hard or irregularities in lifestyle, stress and lack of rest. During this time in her life, the patient was able to move forward in her personal and professional life successfully, with an increase in personal clarity and inner strength as well as better health and increased happiness.