Is your energy level low? Do you feel tired even after a long night's sleep? Do you find you have difficulty concentrating and a feeling of being overwhelmed? These could all be signs of Adrenal Fatigue.

Even though a doctor coined the term "Adrenal Fatigue" back in 1998, it is not considered an accepted medical diagnosis, however, the term is being used more and more frequently and the condition must be addressed. As it turns out, Western medicine does not provide many viable solutions for this adrenal insufficiencies, but Chinese Medicine actually offers ways to reverse adrenal exhaustion by supporting the "Kidney Energetic System".

Adrenal fatigue is a group of nonspecific symptoms people experience when their adrenals are not functioning at optimal performance. Other signs and symptoms besides excessive fatigue may include:
poor digestion,
craving salty and/or sweet foods and junk food,
joint pain,
impaired memory,
reduced sex drive,
anxiety and irritability.

Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine are excellent tools to boost the adrenals and restore proper function giving you more energy by reinforcing the Kidney energetic system and vital Qi (Chi). Restoring your adrenal health utilizing acupuncture and herbs is not a "quick fix" as it can take many months. However, those suffering with adrenal exhaustion can tell you, there are no fast ways to counteract adrenal exhaustion once you have drained your core Essence.

What are Adrenal Glands?
Adrenal glands are glands within the endocrine system that reside on top of each of your kidneys. The endocrine system is in charge of making hormones and secreting them directly into your blood. The ovaries, testes, thyroid and pituitary are also glands of the endocrine system. The medulla (core) of the adrenals produce epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine, which are responsible for the "fight or flight" response. The cortex is the area surrounding the core and is responsible for fluid and electrolyte balance in the body using corticosteroids. These corticosteroids are responsible for the proper metabolism of fat, protein and carbohydrates and are anti-inflammatory in nature. In today's modern society we push the adrenals constantly with high-pressured jobs and fast paced lifestyles, it's easy to see how you can easily tax these precious organs and end up feeling overwhelmed and tired all the time.

What and when should you eat?
For many people, there is a correlation between adrenal fatigue and low blood sugar, so it is important to eat good wholesome natural and organic foods at regular intervals to avoid a drop in blood sugar, which can exasperate your condition. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to eat first thing in the morning. While you're sleeping, your body is using up its reserved energy and you need to replenish it as soon as you can. The energy you give your body from breakfast is used up quickly, so it's a good idea to have an early lunch or at least have a nourishing snack a few hours after breakfast.
It's important that all of your meals contain protein, fat and carbohydrates. You need all three components to fuel your body throughout the day. Eating organic foods is your best choice, 6-8 servings of vegetables a day is also recommended. Try to eat as wide of a variety of them as you can. Eating seasonal vegetables is always a great idea, so check out your local farmers market.
For those that suffer from adrenal fatigue due to blood sugar issues, you should be careful about what and how much fruit you eat. Due to high sugar levels, people with adrenal fatigue should avoid bananas, grapefruit, dates, figs, raisins and oranges. Better choices are apples, mango, papaya, plums, cherries and pears. If you suffer from adrenal fatigue, you may find yourself in constant need of that next cup of coffee. Unfortunately, this can further deplete the adrenals, spiraling your health downward. Coffee, chocolate, alcohol and soft drinks should all be avoided. Water is your best choice. Other healthy choices are green tea, herbal teas and natural vegetable juices.

If you are tired and your energy levels are down make an appointment with Acupuncturist and Herbal Medicine specialist Duane O'Donnell.
http://www.mindbodymedicine.com.au/

_ “How can I get back to normal and back on the field, track or the court, as quickly as possible?”
Acupuncture treatment ‘fast tracks’ your recovery time, and gets to the point of the problem quicker. If you happen to be sidelined by a sports injury, a fall, or injury to joint or muscles you’re likely to be suffering either one or a combination of the following signs and symptoms:

•    Bruising
•    Inflammation
•    Swelling or Oedema
•    Restriction of movement
•    Pain
For sports related and muscle and joint injuries, acupuncture works locally right at the site of the problem. Your body basically has the capacity to ‘manufacture’ its own natural pain killers, natural anti-inflammatory and anti-stress hormones. Acupuncture stimulates your body to get that production line moving, thus releasing those natural, in-built body chemical healers, giving you a less pain/more gain sensation. And the ability to get back into the game faster. The fact is, the sooner your acupuncture treatment of these injuries is started, the less time you’ll need to be sitting on the sidelines. Once acupuncture treatment is commenced it will work in the following ways to help you bounce right back into action:
•    Lessening the effect of bruising
•    Reducing the swelling, inflammation and pain
•    Increasing the range of movement of the affected joint whether it’s fingers, feet, knees, hips, back, neck or shoulders
•    Decreasing muscle spasm and dispersing the ‘caulking’ in muscles
•    Reducing pain quite substantially with each treatment by breaking the pain/spasm cycle.
•    Cutting healing time dramatically by improving blood supply to the affected area and dispersing oedema or swelling.
•    Acupuncture can also provide an extra aid in healing when used in conjunction with other therapies such as massage.

To do all of this, acupuncture treatment recreates and maintains the natural free flow of energy through all the muscles, blood vessels and vital organs of the body. So you feel great! Get back on your feet, faster.

SPORTS PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT
One of the great and really interesting benefits of acupuncture is its natural performance enhancing ability.

An unfair advantage? Not really, because it utilises and facilitates the untapped potential that exists in us all, particularly with sportsmen and women and athletes. That extra ‘edge’ would normally lie dormant as a reserve. Now, through acupuncture, it can be accessed.

Athletes from swimmers to runners to tri-athletes are using the physical and mental stimulation and inner calmness created by acupuncture treatment to help them cross ‘the pain barrier’. This barrier is crossed when an athlete generates enough ‘endorphins’ (happy hormones) to experience euphoric feelings and less pain. This happens usually after an hour of extreme effort.

Acupuncture treatment can get an athlete right up there before the event even starts, creating an enormous psychological advantage and allowing performance to be enhanced through the relaxation of tight muscles and increased blood flow.

Acupuncture’s potential for performance enhancement is enormous and its role in the sporting arena is being tapped by countless athletes and sports people anxious to get on with the game.

If you feel your performance could be improved, make an appointment today with acupuncture specialist Duane O’Donnell who can improve your performance naturally.

_Acupuncture is a natural, drug free and wholistic approach to health and wellbeing. It is the art and science of healing which has existed as part of chinese medicine for over 5000 years. Linking body, mind and emotions to effectively treat many common aliments and prevent disease.

Our bodies contain electrical circuits through which energy passes. For centuries Chinese Medicine has referred to this amazing energy as Qi (Chi) and the circuits as meridians. Modern technology such as Kirlian photography, electronic and thermal readings are now used to detect meridians that were mapped out thousands of years ago.

The meridians pass through the whole body, through organs, tissues and cells. Like a blood clot in our circulatory system, if the meridian pathways contain blocks the flow of energy is obstructed and our health is put in jeopardy.

Very fine needles can be placed in different acupuncture points along the energy pathways, each point links to specific organs, systems and aliments. Stimulating these points with needles, warmed chinese herbs called moxibustion or with suction cups and massage encourages the constant flow of energy.

How can acupuncture help me?

• Specific Disorders – Relief of symptoms, less complications and reduced recurrence by treating the root cause of the issue.

• Maintenance – For long term problems acupuncture can reduce pain as well as the need for surgery and medication.
• Prevention – Because Chinese medicine can detect imbalances in energy before they manifest as disease acupuncture is a very effective tool for prevention.

The Treatment Process – How many will I need and what can I expect?

Your first treatment will involve an interview process that covers current health problems and history including medical, surgical and family health. A physical examination where the tongue and pulse are studied will also be conducted.

The amount of treatments needed is different for each individual circumstance. Many people do notice a difference after their very first treatment. They may begin to sleep better, feel more at ease or have improved digestion. The type, severity and duration of current problems will all be major factors in how many treatments are needed.

A pointy end to the problem – Acupuncture and Stress

Stress is a word we hear so often in todays society but what does it actually mean? Stress can be one or a combination of many problems.

•Emotional – Relationship breakdown, loss of a loved one or pet, pressure to reach expectation of others, taking the weight of the world on your shoulders.
•Physical – Taking on extra work, heavy training sessions, persistent illness or disease. Stress related digestive problems. Poor immune function due to diet and lifestyle.
•Hormonal imbalances – such as premenstrual syndrome.
•Low blood sugar – Which may be a result of diet and inadequate exercise.

If life was an ocean then stress is the strong rip that takes hold of you pulling you out to sea. It can appear from no where, taking you by surprise. You can not see it but you can feel it and the more you struggle the harder it seems to sweep you away from the comfort that is land.

The weight of modern day pressures to excel in all facets of life. The fast pace that continues to accelerate as the responsibility of school, work, family and life mount. Maybe you feel tired, find it hard to switch off and sleep, you could be frustrated, lose your temper easily, feel like you want to escape, that you can not cope. Your memory may be poor and you may have bad judgement. You are so frustrated but can not really put your finger on exactly why, the fact is you are just stressed out.

Lets get right to the point; Acupuncture works on balance, the yin and yang of the body that keeps us aligned, functioning in a healthy and positive way. Bringing harmony to the physical, emotional and mental aspects of the body allows the innate ability of self healing.

Acupuncture is a natural drug free alternative medicine that has been practiced and proven over thousands of years. Although there are increasing benefits with each treatment many patients feel more at ease and in balance after the very first session. This balance helps people to deal with their stress, clearly identify the cause of problems and move forward with more confidence.


What else can acupuncture help me with?

Neurological: Headaches, migraines, difficulty sleeping, nervous tension, stroke, some forms of deafness, facial and inter-costal neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia, some forms of paralysis, sequelae of poliomyelitis, peripheral neuropathy, noises in the ears, dizziness, Meniere’s disease.

Cardio-vascular system: High or low blood pressure, fluid retention, chest pain, angina pectoris, poor circulation, cold hands and feet, muscle cramps.

Respiratory System: Bronchial asthma, acute and chronic bronchitis, acute tonsillitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, hay fever, chronic cough, laryngitis, sore throat, influenza and the common cold.

Digestive system: Toothache, post-extraction pain, gingivitis, mouth ulcers, hiccough, spasms of the oesophagus, gastric and duodenal ulcers, gastric hyperacidity, gastritis, heartburn, hiatus hernia syndrome, flatulence, paralytic ileus, colitis, diarrhoea, constipation, haemorrhoids, liver and gall bladder disorders, weight control.

Uro-genital system: Cystitis, prostatitis, orchitis, low sexual vitality, urinary retention, kidney disorders, nocturnal enuresis, neurogenic bladder dysfunction.

Gynaecological and obstetric disorders: Premenstrual tension, painful, heavy or irregular, or the absence of periods, abnormal uterine bleeding or discharge, hormonal disturbances, disorders associated with menopause, prolapse if the uterus or bladder, difficulty with conception, morning sickness.

Skin: Eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, nerve rash, herpes zoster, acne scar tissue and resultant adhesions, hair loss and dandruff.

Eyes: Visual disorders, red, sore, itchy or watery eyes. Conjunctivitis simple cataracts, myopia in children, central retinitis.

Musculo-skeletal system: Osteoarthritis, sciatica, lumbago, weak back, low back pain, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, tenosynovitis, should and neck pain, cervicobrachial syndrome, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow.

Sporting injuries: Sprained ankles and knees, cartilage problems, corking and tearing of muscles, torn ligaments and bruises.

Psychological: Depression, phobias, emotional disturbances, anxiety, nervousness and addictions such as smoking.

_Cosmetic Acupuncture is a viable natural alternative to botox, micro-dermabrasion, chemical peels and other procedures that aim at improving appearance of the skin.  Cosmetic acupuncture slows the effects of aging by smoothing out wrinkles and fine lines, reducing the appearance of blemishes on the face and enhancing your complexion naturally by keeping the skin firm and supple.
 Cosmetic Acupuncture is different to all other cosmetic procedures in that treatment is not only focused on the facial region but rather on the whole body.  Beauty is truly not skin deep, and the same way your complexion can be damaged by the environment (sun, chemicals etc.), it can also be damaged by imbalances within your body.  In many cases how healthy you are on the inside is reflected by how you look on the outside. Your cosmetic acupuncture treatment is formulated specifically for you and encompasses this same philosophy. 
 
Treating the face and addressing the internal imbalances together creates a synergistic effect not only making the facial treatment more effective but also benefiting your overall health.
A comprehensive health history is taken to begin with.  This process includes pulse, tongue and face diagnosis to assess the state of your overall health.  These diagnostic procedures are unique to Chinese medicine practice.  Regions of your face where wrinkles and blemishes develop may be highly indicative of your body’s underlying imbalances.
 Once the imbalances are established acupuncture points are needled on the face and body.  Very fine needles are also inserted superficially along the wrinkle lines.  The needles are kept in place for about 20 minutes.
Minimal discomfort is caused from this procedure; in fact it can be quite pleasant for most patients.
 
How many treatments do I need?
Treatment is usually given once a week for 10 to 15 weeks depending on your age.  Because Cosmetic Acupuncture works at a deeper level, consistency is important to achieve semi-permanent results.  After the first course of treatment, a booster treatment every 8 to 12 weeks is recommended to keep your skin looking and feeling fresh and also to help maintain balance within your body.
 
What should I expect from a cosmetic acupuncture treatment?
The procedure increases blood circulation to the face tremendously so you can expect your skin to feel fresh and rejuvenated after the very first treatment.  The improved local blood supply increases the production of collagen and elastin which declines with the process of aging.  Collagen is a vital part of the connective tissue that forms the supporting mesh within the skin.  Together with elastin it keeps the skin firm and supple.  Needling to the areas of the face also strengthens the facial muscles.  Skin cells generally take around 28 days to regenerate so you can expect to see the changes in about 4 – 5 weeks.  Not only will your face look clearer, fresher and more vibrant but you’ll feel healthier too.

Make an appointment today with Acupuncturist Duane O’Donnell at Natural Vibrant Health. You should allow 60 minutes for your first treatment.
Private Health Fund rebates may be available
Initial Consult $95 Subsequent Consult $88

Everybody I know is working on one issue or another, trying to move into a better space in their lives, some big some small. Most of the issues we struggle with are the deep rooted ones that were planted there when we were children.

Knowing that, as a parent, how careful are you with the seeds you are planting in the fertile soil of your child’s mind? By not thinking, are you planting weeds that they’ll be struggling with for the rest of their lives … just as you are struggling with your deep rooted weeds?

Is your goal to build up your children with every conversation you have … even if it’s a reprimand.

Children are in a huge learning mode. Of course they are going to make mistakes over and over until they “get it”. Just as when they started to walk, they didn’t simply stand up and run. They tried and tried and failed and failed … tried and failed until they understood how these things called legs work.

It’s the same with life … they’ll keep trying and failing until they get how life works. Now you didn’t go ballistic or speak negatively to them when they couldn’t walk first try. So why is there negative talk instead of encouragement when they don’t get a life lesson on the first or tenth attempt?

The reason is that it is all about you and your frustrations and your ability to give to love in a non-judgmental way. Parents are often so aggressive and demanding in the language they speak to their children … in a way that they never ever think of speaking to others at work, for example.

Words have an everlasting effect on children. (You remember?) You have the power to speak life to your children and to plant seeds of self-confidence to encourage their dreams.

As a parent, set the standard for how your children treat themselves and how they demand others treat them.

Every unreasoned criticism you blindly thrust upon them robs them of self-esteem and they are inwardly wounded, believing they’re as awful (or worse) as your accusations … and you just thought it was a passing comment from you.

You are their protector … how you engender trust as the protector will affect how they see themselves in life … for the rest of their lives.

Be slow to anger and quick to forgiveness. Give children the benefit of the doubt in every situation, allowing them a chance to express their point of view … without your judgment.

Today, you are writing on the blank pages of your child’s life story. Choose beautiful words of love and encouragement … it’s what you wanted when you were a kid, isn’t it? And wouldn’t it have made a difference to who you are today?

Self-Reflection Questions:
1. What tone of voice do you normally use with your child?

2. How have the words of your own parents affected your life?

3. What are you teaching others about how they should treat your child?

Dr Barry Pierce is a Clinical Hypnotherapist on the Gold Coast in Australia http://www.hypnotherapy4u.com.au

No one likes to move on. We all like to hold on to the relationships and things we've come to know. Sometimes we hold on so tight, we forget to look to see whether what we are holding on to is what we really want in our lives.

That happens a lot in relationships. We hang on to partnerships or friendships because of what they once were, not what they've become. It is the "familiar" that holds us loocked into that relationship ... the fear that you may not get another chance, that maybe you won't find another one, that you'll be left high and dry. If you are the one who's been left, you harbour anger for someone else ... yet, don't we say we attract what we need to grow?

So this coming year, do some housekeeping on yourself and have a garage sale clean out on all those feelings of yesterday and what might have been.