Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition affecting between 10-15% of the population (Grundmann & Yoon, 2010) with multifaceted possible causes in both western medicine (WM) and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is not considered life threatening yet, as it is chronic and episodic, it impacts on health-related quality of life (Holloway, 2010; Ruepert et al., 2011). IBS is characterised by abdominal pain, bloating and altered bowel dysfunction resulting in diarrhoea or constipation (Snyder, 2012) and in significant impairments of functional status, higher levels of disability and increased frequency of physician visits (Zijdenbos, de Wit Niek, van der Heijden Geert, Rubin, & Quartero, 2011). Acupuncture was considered significantly more […]
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is considered to be the most common endocrine abnormality in women of reproductive age (Azziz, Woods, Reyna, Key, Knochenhauer, & Yildiz, 2004; Costello, Shrestha, Eden, Johnson, & Moran, 2010). Normal ovulation relies upon selection of a follicle that becomes ‘dominant’ and ovulates (Balen, 2000). In women with PCOS there are multiple small cysts which contain potentially viable oocytes yet with dysfunctional follicles.The current recommended definition (ESHRE/ASRM, 2003) diagnose PCOS when a woman has two of the following; oligo- or anovulation, clinical or biochemical hyperandrogenism, and/or polycystic ovaries (with the exclusion of other aetiologies). Clinically the presentation can include infrequent or light menstruation, infertility, hirsutism and acne […]
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the tenth most common problem in general practise and is self-reported in 7.3% of the Australian population. Due to the proportional increase in the older population, this figure is set to rise increasing the burden on the individual and the community (National Health and Medical Research Council, 2009). Due to limited OA studies for the hip, some studies looking at OA of the knee have been included. Berman, Lao, Greene, Anderson, Wong, Langenberg, et al. (1995) looked knee OA and patients had significant reductions in both WOMAN score [see appendix 2] and Lequesne index (Osteoarthritis Research Society International, 2012). 7 patients responded so well, they did not […]
Heel pain
Podiatric conditions involve dysfunction of the musculature, joints, and fascia of the legs and feet. Achilles tendinopathy is one of the most common injuries in sport (National Health Service (NHS) Clinical Knowledge Summary, 2012). It accounts for 6-17% of all running injuries, estimated to effect up to 50% of elite athletes and is predominant in men, especially athletes. Plantar fasciitis is the most common type of pain in the inferior heel, and is amongst 11-15% of all foot symptoms requiring professional care amongst adults (Buchbinder, 2004). A literature review undertaken in 2016 shows that acupuncture can assist in treating achilles tendinopathy and plantar fasciitis. Outcomes for both these conditions when treated with […]
Period Pain (Dysmenorrhea)
Dysmenorrhea can be debilitating and is considered the most common gynaecological condition in women regardless of age and nationality (Proctor & Farquhar, 2006). Dysmenorrhea is classified as ‘primary dysmenorrhea’ where the symptoms cannot be explained by structural gynaecological disorders and ‘secondary dysmenorrhea’ where the symptoms are due to pelvic abnormalities (The Merck Manual, 2011). Symptoms can include cramping pain in the lower abdomen with pain radiating to the lower back, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache and fatigue (Hillen, Grbavac, Johnston, Straton, & Keogh, 1999). It was first noted by Pickles in 1965 (Hillen et al., 1999) that the pain of dysmenorrhea is thought to be from uterine contractions and ischemia in […]