Masters in Chinese Medicine

I treat many people for emotional issues, varying from stress, to depression and sometimes more serious conditions, including schizophrenia, bipolar and manic depression.

For a long while, I wanted to study blood loss (haemorrhage) and its relationship with depression. Most specifically, post natal depression.

The time has come, and late last year I enrolled on a Masters degree in Chinese Medicine where I learn all about Chinese herbs. I am absolutely loving being a student again, and learning so much on the herbs subject. I did not know I was going to be getting so in depth with organic chemistry. The word pharmacokinetics was alien to me, but it comes as a pleasant surprise, as I get to learn about safely administering herbs and its relationship with medications. I thoroughly enjoy expanding my knowledge in Western as well as Chinese Medicine.

As a part time masters, I have 4 years to complete my research, but I am already working towards it. I do not have the actual question, but for now, I am reading lots on haemorrhage and depression signs and symptoms, and treatment and care.

Watch this space!

Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever. Gandhi

Enjoy 2013!

My Friend Cristiano - AKA Homer Simpson, became a dad last night. Baby Clara arrived safely after a well planned natural birth in Rio de Janeiro. It is rare those days to see a natural birth in Brazil, so I share this with immense pride of my friend and his wife, whom I can't wait to meet. I thought I shared her arrival. Be prepared to cry! She's a cute little thing and I can't wait to meet her.
Congratulations to mamma and pappa. X

Andrea Steinlechner Says:

Stress in your daily life can lead to unwanted physical as well as emotional symptoms. This is your body generally telling you it is time to have a break. In my first consultation with a new patient, I discuss lifestyle issues which could contribute to stress and discuss personal techniques that help you cope with stressful situations. It is important to do something you enjoy and that relaxes you. Allowing others to take care of you is essential and can be a joyful experience. Most people find acupuncture relaxing and often feel very calm after treatment. You may feel a little tired or sleepy.  

Acupuncture focus on the individual, not their illness, hence all symptoms are treated in relation to each other. A traditional acupuncturist seeks to re-establish the free flow of qi [energy] to restore balance and trigger the body’s natural healing response. Research has shown that acupuncture stimulates the nervous system causing the release of neurochemical messenger molecules.

The resulting biochemical changes influence the body’s homeostatic balance, promoting physical and emotional wellbeing.

Sprain and strains are a result of over stretching the fibres, like stretching an elastic band. The anatomy of tendons and ligaments are similar to muscles, except they are twisted and tightened into a rope-like shape, which sustains impact and keeps your body parts in place. This tightness means they are short of blood supply. Blood delivers nutrients needed for healing throughout the body, which is why those injuries heal slowly. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has proven very successful in treating tendons and ligament injuries.

Acupuncture enhances the flow of blood to the area treated, including tendons and ligaments, to promote healing. I would highly recommend a course of TCM acupuncture, which can be used in conjunction with other therapies.

TCM practitioners discourage the use of ice and cold as this slows down the blood supply to the area. In fact we encourage the use of heat. Make sure you wear thick socks which covers your ankle, keeping the area warm and choose appropriate shoes which will harness your ankle and absorb impact.

Andrea Steinlechner is a TCM acupuncturist at Harley Street Acupuncture and Embody Wellness and member of the British Acupuncture Council.

  

 

This is a transcript of an article published by Allison Jacobs from Natural Health UK June 2012 edition.

Treatment of the month: Traditional Chinese Medicine

What is it? Andrea Steinlechner is a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner and acupuncturist specialising in menstrual disorders, pregnancy and fertility, stress, anxiety, and digestive disorders.

What Happens: I described how I’ve had an ongoing niggling pain I my right side, for a few years. Medical tests has yielded no results and I’ve tried for a while now to push the discomfort to the back of my mind, though is always there, niggling away.

Andrea’s consultation was comprehensive. Delving into my medical history going back 14 years to when I was aged 13 and began suffering migraines. Andrea asked questions about all aspects of my life from periods to how I react emotionally to someone deliberately upsetting me – to which I replied rage. She then identified this as a symptom of blocked liver energy, which corresponded to the location of pain I my side, as well as migraines. She carefully placed needles around my body to release the blocked energy and, amazingly, the area which usually irritates me began making a rumbling nose! I’d arrived in a slightly anxious state after a stressful situation but left feeling wonderfully relaxed and happy.

The results: Having other symptoms I hadn’t previously linked together pointed out was eye opening and I left equipped with knowledge to heel the energy flow healthy.

Tester: Allison Jacobs editor at Natural Health.

Andrea offers 20 minutes phone consultation.

HELP: I’ve been diagnosed with post-viral fatigue (originaly written for and published by Natural Health Magazine)

For weeks I’ve suffered extreme tiredness, dizziness and nausea. How can I feel better again?

Andrea Steinlechner, a top acupuncturist and TCM specialist answers:

From your question it sounds like you have suffered an external (viral) invasion. According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) this is particulary common at the change of seasons. As people find it difficult to adapt.

In my practice, U see the body and mind as a whole., and I pay attention to all signs and symptoms before offering a treatment plan. Most health practitioners will agree that the best cure for a viral infection is to drink plenty of water and rest. Eating nourishing foods, like chicken broth, can be just that extra pick-me-up you need. I would also recommend eating garlic, ginger and onions which are great for expelling pathogens to combat your infection. Similarly, a course of acupuncture can boost your immune system, helping clear the viral infection and lethargy, and improving your wellbeing.

This viral infection could be a result of an underlying pathology and poor adjustment to seasonal changes which is why a course of acupuncture should help to speed up your recovery and prevent it from reoccurring in the future.

Visit www.harleystreetacupuncture.co.uk

What could be more rewarding than helping couples conceive? If the thought makes you go all gooey inside, you may want to train in acupuncture. “Patients who seek acupuncture just before or during IVF are treated following the IVF protocol”, explains Andrea Steinlechner, Harley Street Acupuncturist.

“When the patient is at the ovary stimulation stage, acupuncture is used to enhance follicular growth. This work is carried out very closely to the IVF procedure, with the bonus of relaxing the mind”, she adds. “If the patient is trying to conceive but is not currently undergoing IVF, a treatment plan following their menstrual cycle can be developed to help patient regain hormonal balance and optimise their chances of natural or assisted conception”.

It is vital to address the patient holistically, adds Andrea. “I will want to know full details of patients’ and their families’ health history. Only then I will understand the pathology and offer a treatment. Everyone is different, I’ve had patients conceiving naturally in one month but others not conceiving after six”.

Originally published at Natural Health Magazine

I am sometimes asked about medical acupuncture. What is it? Is it better than Traditional Acupuncture? Who practices Medical Acupuncture?

In short, medical acupuncture is a very simplified method of acupuncture, which is often taught in a one day CPD (continuous professional development) to medical doctors, physiotherapists, osteopaths, and chiropractors.

Those therapists have a vast knowledge of muscles and nerves, and they learn to insert acupuncture needles in key areas of pain, hence mainly working on muscle relaxation and pain relief, from a western anatomy point of view.

Traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncturists can do and will practice medical acupuncture all the time, however we combine it with the TCM physiology.

A reference article:  http://aim.bmj.com/content/27/1/33

Case study:

35 years old runner sprained ankle while falling off a London bus. Aside from stress, difficulty to fall asleep and overwork, they are overall fit.

Tendons and ligaments have a very limited supply of blood, hence it is often said that it is better to break than to sprain (ligament) or strain (tendon). Somehow, acupuncture is very effective in promoting a better blood flow to tendons and ligaments, hence facilitating the healing process.

On palpation, the outer side of the foot was affected, and a few local needles were inserted, based on pain (medical acupuncture) as well as functionality of the points according to TCM. Low pulsing electro acupuncture stimulation was used and thoroughly enjoyed. Other points in the body were chosen to encourage and facilitate blood flow to the affected area and to promote relaxation and facilitate sleep.

After 3 sessions the patient was running normally however we agreed to carry on with further treatment to help strengthen the ankle and avoid further injuries.