Tag: Launceston Acupuncture

acupuncture

Yes, our acupuncturists are committed to COVID Safe

Sarah J. George

As we have just said goodbye to 2020 and welcomed in 2021 (with both caution and enthusiasm), we wanted to assure everyone who comes to this Launceston acupuncture clinic that we are still operating completely under our COVID Safe Plan and Infection Control Management Plan.

We have had it pretty lucky here in Launceston (and Tasmania), while our borders are open (although changing all the time depending on health advice) there is always the risk of the novel coronavirus making a return to our shores as the world still works to overcome a global pandemic.

We are very much looking forward to providing you with the best of acupuncture care again this year. We believe in the fundamental principle of ‘first do no harm‘ so to protect our patients in the best way we can, while maintaining a calm and friendly environment, some of the steps we continue to take are:

  • Screen ourselves for symptoms, including monitoring temperatures each day before work.
  • Isolate at home and get a COVID test should we experience any sign of a cold or flu symptom, until we receive a negative test or no longer present with symptoms (whichever happens last).
  • Socially distance with other staff.
  • Clean and disinfect treatment rooms between patients, including complete linen change (processed by a commercial laundry). Additional time is allowed for the cleaning and airing of the treatment space.
  • Socially distance during the spoken component of the consultation, wear a face shield while conducting tongue examination and pulse palpation, and then wear a face mask at all times we are within 1.5m of you (which is during your treatment).
  • Monitor government advice in relation to changes to business operations, health alerts and border changes.
  • Open and close doors for you. No need to touch a door handle in the treatment rooms.
  • Contribute to regular commercial cleaning of the shared spaces within the clinic.

We ask that anyone attending the clinic continues to:

  • Complete our COVID screening form emailed to you the day before your appointment
  • Advise us prior to their appointment if they are experiencing any cold or flu symptoms, have had exposure to anyone with COVID symptoms or is required to isolate or quarantine.
  • Stay home and get a COVID test if you experience cold or flu symptoms. You can organise this by calling the Tasmanian Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738.
  • Use the hand sanitiser provided (take enough to stay wet in your hands for 20 seconds) as you enter the House of Prana.
  • Undertakes a quick screening process and temperature check in the ground floor foyer of House of Prana at the time of your appointment. There’s no longer a waiting area here so just turn up at the time of your appointment.
  • Take a tissue (provided in each room) to cover your mouth and nose should you have an uncharacteristic sneeze or cough. Use hand sanitiser straight afterwards.

The steps we’ve outlined above ensure that we can provide the best of acupuncture care to you while minimising the chance of infection spread.

We wish that this year, you can assess the services you require to feel happy and well, and that you, your loved ones and our community can thrive.

If you have any questions about our COVID Safe Plan please feel free to contact us.

acupuncture, health, Traditional Chinese Medicine

COVID-19: important information about acupuncture and Chinese medicine services

Sarah J. George

wall mounted open signage
Photo by Artem Beliaikin on Pexels.com

As you’d all be well aware by now we are in interesting times with the COVID-19 pandemic. It is my role as your health practitioner to ensure that I deliver my Chinese Medicine services in a way that both benefits your health and is performed in an environment that minimises the risk of infection.

Below you’ll find the steps I’m taking to provide health services with suitable precautions to ensure that when it comes to your treatment you feel calm and supported in your health goals:

  1. Firstly, YES! The clinic is still open. Appointment-wise it is business as usual and you can still book in by calling or texting 0448 128 858, emailing sarah@sarahgeorgeacupuncture.com.au or visiting the online booking system.
  2. Clinic continues in strict accordance with government health advice. I am keeping a close eye on Australian Government, Tasmanian  Department of Health, Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHRPA) and Australian Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA) directives and will comply completely. The situation is changing rapidly and I will remain flexible and responsive to those changes, notifying you of any changes that may affect you or your appointment. It is important to note that as registered acupuncturists we are already held to a high level of infection control and these infection control procedures continue with additional measures taking place in the building.
  3. Notify me ASAP by phone or email if you are unwell and/or are required to be isolated/quarantined. Your appointment will be cancelled/rescheduled with the usual cancellation fees waived. In this case, please DO NOT attend your appointment in person.  We will either cancel your appointment or reschedule it to when it may be safe for you to return. To reduce the spread of infection it is important that you advise me as soon as possible if you are affected by the following:
    • Experiencing fever, flu-like symptoms such as coughing, sore throat and fatigue, and shortness of breath. We will cancel/reschedule your appointment and should you require symptom relief this may be arranged remotely for you. (See below.)
    • If you have serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing, call 000 for urgent medical help.
    • If you have had recent overseas travel and are required to self isolate. (Have returned from overseas on or after 16 March, have been in or transited through China or Iran in the past 14 days, have returned from South Korea on or after 5 March, have returned from Italy on or after 11 March.)
    • Have been in ‘close contact’ with a confirmed case.
  4. Do you suspect you have COVID-19? If you think you might have COVID-19 because of recent travel or contact with a confirmed case, phone the Tasmanian Public Health Hotline (1800 671 738) for advice. If you haven’t travelled or had contact with confirmed case, phone your doctor or healthdirect Australia (1800 022 222).
  5. Skype & Phone Consults. This is the answer for when you can’t attend clinic due to sickness, isolation/quarantine or due to being extremely immuno-compromised but still need your Chinese Medicine treatment. The good news is that Chinese Medicine Skype and phone appointments are available for you! You may be surprised to know that Chinese Medicine is a lot more than just acupuncture. We have a full toolkit available to us including Chinese dietetics, lifestyle measures, exercises, herbal medicine, moxibustion (the herb I burn in clinic) and acupressure. Your treatment can continue should you be isolated at home with an individualised prescription of these methods tailored to your signs and symptoms and health goal. This applies to what you usually see me for or if you are seeking relief from other symptoms. These consultations will be conducted via Skype or phone. The fee is $50 and health fund rebates do not apply. Any products that are prescribed can be picked up by someone else or a courier service. If you have serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing, call 000 for urgent medical help.
  6. Preventative medicine. Please feel free to discuss your health situation with me at your next consult and we can discuss preventative measures. Of course these hygiene measures are your first line of defence. I have also been researching Chinese Medicine strategies that have been used in China some of which may be suitable to use here also.
  7. My health. I take my health very, very seriously not just now but always. My job requires me to be in tip top shape and if I’m even slightly unwell, I take time off. Currently I’m employing high level hygiene measures, hydrating, eating well and maximising sleep in a way that supports my immune system, and employing herbs, supplements and other Chinese Medicine methods individualised to me to maintain my health. We are dealing with a new pathogen here and research is limited as to what is effective. That said, each and every one of us can employ our winter cold and flu prevention practices.

BE INFORMED. I have included a page here of a wide range of links to useful and reputable websites if you want to be more informed about COVID-19.

STAY CALM AND SMILE. Employ your usual stress reduction techniques. My favourites are the meditation apps Headspace, Calm and the breathing/qigong app 7 Min Chi. Get creative. Read your favourite books. Enjoy time in your garden. Get some sunshine and keep exercising in a low contact way.

If you have any questions about any of the content in this newsletter please feel free to contact me.

To book an appointment at the Launceston acupuncture clinic or for further information on Chinese Medicine contact Dr Sarah George (Acupuncture).  Sarah is a practitioner of acupuncture (AHPRA registered), Chinese Medicine and natural health.

fertility, pregnancy, Traditional Chinese Medicine

Speaking about fertility and post-partum care at The Woodford Folk Festival

Sarah J. George

woodford 2018-19 programHello! Happy new year! (Gosh, we’re almost a month in and next week I’ll be wishing you a happy Chinese new year!)

As some of you would know, this Christmas/New Year period I headed up to Queensland’s Woodford Folk Festival (an incredible festival which includes more than 2,000 local, national and international, artists, musicians and presenters and has an audience of an estimated 132,000 people.) If you’ve never been, put it (or it’s little cousin, The Planting) on your must do list.

Kathleen Murphy, (a great friend and colleague), and I were presenting at Woodford’s Blue Lotus stage. This is the place to be for health and wellness speakers from all over the world, as well as live music, yoga, workshops and cooking demonstrations.

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It has been an absolute pleasure to present at the @woodfordfolkfestival with @kath_murphy on The Fourth Trimester (postpartum care) and Your Fertility. We had such lovely people attend our talks. Thanks so much for coming up to say hi and asking questions too. It’s always lovely to be part of the @bluelotus_woodfordia. Thanks for having me! #woodfordfolkfestival #bluelotus #yourfertility #takingchargeofyourfertility #pcos #endometriosis #ivfjourney #fertilitysupport #chinesemedicine #acupuncturelaunceston #chinesemedicinelaunceston #acupuncturetasmania #chinesemedicinetasmania #sarahgeorgeacupuncture #aacma #endeavourcollegeofnaturalhealth #chinesedietarytherapy #chinesedietetics #launcestonladies #launcestonmothers #launcestonmums

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Our first presentation was a beautiful discussion about postpartum care (or the fourth trimester) led by Kathleen, who runs the fantastic house call service, MamaCare, in Sydney. We discussed topics including the physical and psychological needs of new mothers, some of Kathleen’s own findings regarding what mothers’ want in their fourth trimester, and how different cultures have some very similar themes on taking care of new mothers to benefit the mother, baby and whole family. As you may know, Chinese Medicine has a practice called zuo yue zi, which refers to a period of recovery for a new mother and includes support in the way of blood nourishing meals, warming therapies and rest. Ultimately, new mothers armed with modern and traditional knowledge can design their own fourth trimester (or Golden Month) to get the support they need to recover from, and thrive after, giving birth.

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It has been an absolute pleasure to present at the @woodfordfolkfestival with @kath_murphy on The Fourth Trimester (postpartum care) and Your Fertility. We had such lovely people attend our talks. Thanks so much for coming up to say hi and asking questions too. It’s always lovely to be part of the @bluelotus_woodfordia. Thanks for having me! #woodfordfolkfestival #bluelotus #yourfertility #takingchargeofyourfertility #pcos #endometriosis #ivfjourney #fertilitysupport #chinesemedicine #acupuncturelaunceston #chinesemedicinelaunceston #acupuncturetasmania #chinesemedicinetasmania #sarahgeorgeacupuncture #aacma #endeavourcollegeofnaturalhealth #chinesedietarytherapy #chinesedietetics #launcestonladies #launcestonmothers #launcestonmums

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Our second presentation was an information packed session on enhancing male and female fertility. It covered some of the basic Fertility 101 must knows (including anatomy and cycle timing for conception). The conversation tied some of the western anatomy and physiology with Chinese Medicine and naturopathy theory, which sometimes makes these concepts a little easier to understand. Topics such as preconception care (and why this is so important for both parents), barriers to conception (eg. endometriosis, PCOS and advanced parental age) were discussed. Lastly, some evidence based general fertility do’s and don’t’s were given with some additional Chinese Medicine and naturopathic tips. But the big message was, good fertility generally requires two people who are as healthy as they can be prior to conception (although babies can be made in many ways so adapt that as need be). Be informed about your own fertility and health. Seek help if you need it.

Both Kathleen and I love supporting people through pre-conception care, fertility treatment, pregnancy and in the post-partum period. It was a lovely opportunity to share some of our stories with the Woodfordians.

I couldn’t finish this blog without mentioning Lucy Peach, who brought My Greatest Period Ever to us. I can only describe her performance as the most educational and yet hilarious and heart-warming cabaret show you’ll ever go to. Lucy will guide you through what happens in a month long cycle and how you can best look after yourself at each of these times. Essential watching if you menstruate or you know someone who does! Plus she sings and her husband is a great illustrator! On her website you’ll find links to several videos of Lucy doing her thing including a TED talk.

To book an appointment at the Launceston clinics (House of Prana or In-Balance) or for further information on Chinese Medicine contact Dr Sarah George (Acupuncture).  Sarah is an AHPRA registered acupuncturist, Chinese medicine practitioner and massage therapist.

 

 

 

 

acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine

Sarah on ABC Radio for World Acupuncture Day

Sarah J. George

Did you catch me on the ABC Radio Northern Tasmania on the eve of World Acupuncture Day (14th November)?

I was invited to speak to Kim Millar about why we have World Acupuncture Day, what acupuncture can do for you and how it works.

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This afternoon I was on #ABCNorthernTasmania chatting with Kim Millar about all things acupuncture ahead of #WorldAcupunctureDay tomorrow. Check it out from 33 minutes in. Link to listen on my Facebook page and in the comments. If you’re looking to celebrate World Acupuncture Day you can join me for a mindful cup of Chinese tea at @inbalancephysiopilates tomorrow or come along to our Yin Yang balance workshop on Saturday at @yogaathouseofprana (details in my feed). #WorldAcupunctureDay2018 #Acupuncture #Launceston #acupuncturelaunceston #acupuncturetasmania #chinesemedicinelaunceston #chinesemedicinetasmania #registeredacupuncturist #sarahgeorgeacupuncture #houseofprana #inbalancephysiopilates#aacma

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You may have also enjoyed a cup of Chinese tea at the new In-Balance allied health hub (on my first week there) to celebrate World Acupuncture Day.

Or joined me for the Yin Yang Balance Workshop at House of Prana that weekend.

Or even come and said hi at Woolmer’s Rose Festival or heard me on stage.

It was a big, exciting week of acupuncture related events. More exciting events are coming for next year so stay tuned!

To book an appointment at the Launceston clinics (House of Prana or In-Balance) or for further information on Chinese Medicine contact Dr Sarah George (Acupuncture).  Sarah is an AHPRA registered acupuncturist, Chinese medicine practitioner and massage therapist.

acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine

World Acupuncture Day: Join me for a Yin Yang balance workshop

Sarah J. George

World Acupuncture Day is being celebrated on Thursday 15th November this year. The event is officially celebrated this year in Paris, France, under the patronage of UNESCO and WHO at the UNESCO Headquarters, and I’m putting on a great event in Launceston on this Saturday 17th November to celebrate acupuncture and explore the Chinese philosophy surrounding Yin and Yang.

WAD header 2018

World Acupuncture Day! Balance your yin and yang with acupuncture and yoga

Saturday 17th November 2018, 2.30pm-4pm @ House of Prana

Tickets $10 + BF (bargain!) – Buy here or see the event on my Facebook page.

Did you know that acupuncture is well over 2000 years old? And that Yin Yang theory is a lot older than that?

Join Dr Sarah George (Acupuncture) to celebrate World Acupuncture Day and explore all things Yin and Yang including:

– Find out your Yin Yang balance type
– Learn strategies to attain balance through your lifestyle
– Try some foods that nourish yin and warm yang

Every attendee gets:

– 1 hour seminar and workshop 
– $10 voucher towards their next acupuncture session with Sarah George at House of Prana (to be used by 31st January, 2018)
– Stay for the yoga class straight afterwards with a 50% off Bikram Yoga 90-minute session (4pm-5.30pm Saturday 17th November, 2018) if not already House of Prana yoga members. (Discounted class price $11.)

World Acupuncture Day commemorates the eighth anniversary of the inscription of acupuncture and moxibustion, in November 2010, into the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Acupuncture has come a long way from its early roots in China. In Australia today, acupuncture is a registered profession under the Australian Health Practitioners Registration Agency (AHPRA). Only practitioners who meet AHPRA’s strict requirements (including minimum education requirements of a bachelor degree) are permitted for registration and use of the title, ‘acupuncturist’. Currently, there are over 4700 registered acupuncturists in Australia, with only 36 located in Tasmania; only a few in Launceston.

While acupuncture has had a long history of development in China (with classical texts dating to around 200BCE), today acupuncture is performed by drawing upon classical knowledge and combined with guidance from modern evidence. In 2017 the Acupuncture Evidence Project, a comparative literature review of systematic reviews, was published showing strong evidence to support the use of acupuncture for a range of conditions including, but not limited to:

  • Migraine prophylaxis
  • Headache (tension-type and chronic episodic)
  • Low back pain [Chronic – positive effect; acute – potential positive effect]
  • Knee osteoarthritic pain
  • Allergic rhinitis (seasonal and perennial/persistent)

The authors stating “It is no longer possible to say that the effectiveness of acupuncture can be attributed to the placebo effect or that it is useful only for musculoskeletal pain.”

World Acupuncture Day is a chance to reflect upon and celebrate the (sometimes lesser known and understood) many strengths that acupuncture brings to our health system.

To book an appointment at the Launceston clinics (House of Prana or In-Balance) or for further information on Chinese Medicine contact Dr Sarah George (Acupuncture).  Sarah is an AHPRA registered acupuncturist, Chinese medicine practitioner and massage therapist.

acupuncture, herbal medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture comes to In-Balance on Tuesdays and Thursdays!

Sarah J. George

Wow! What a big month it has been! Sarah George Acupuncture & Natural Health is now up and running at House of Prana (on George St at the Old Roman Baths). It’s been wonderful to practice from this lovely space amongst the yoga classes, Liquid Zen float centre and the rest of the practitioner team. One of the many great things about this move is that the herbal dispensary is up and running, with new additions to be coming in all the time.

herbal liquids
Just some of the new herbal dispensary

Watch this quick video of the way in to House of Prana, past the Liquid Zen float rooms to the chilled out waiting area for a cuppa while you wait for your acupuncture appointment…

The next big news is that on Tuesday I move into Launceston’s brand new allied health hub, In-Balance. You may already know In-Balance as a compassionate, innovative and above-and-beyond team of physiotherapists, exercise physiologists and pilates instructors – in fact so many of you were seeing them already at their old Patterson St address and gave me glowing reports of your treatment there. I had a sneak peek of the newly renovated, heritage-listed building last Friday and can tell you that it is a beautiful, warm space with lots of natural light and beautiful high ceilings. I’ll be joining their existing team with a few other new allied health practitioners too. Check them out as they’re doing great things here!

in-balance-building.jpg
In-Balance

So, here’s my new schedule (effective immediately):

  • Monday 9am-5pm – House of Prana
  • Tuesday 8am-4pm – In-Balance
  • Wednesday 10am-7pm – House of Prana
  • Thursday 10am-7.30pm – In-Balance

The clinic addresses are:

  • House of Prana: Ground Floor, 127 George St, Launceston (the Old Roman Baths)
  • In-Balance: 1st Floor, 233B Charles Street, Launceston (Click here for a map of parking and how to enter the building)

You can book at either clinic by calling 0448 128 858 or contact me here.

So if it’s traditional acupuncture you’re seeking from an experienced, highly trained registered acupuncturist, you now have two clinics you can choose from for your holistic consultation and treatment with me.

To book an appointment at the Launceston clinics (House of Prana or In-Balance) or for further information on Chinese Medicine contact Dr Sarah George (Acupuncture).  Sarah is an AHPRA registered acupuncturist, Chinese medicine practitioner and massage therapist.

acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine

New Launceston acupuncture clinic updates: House of Prana open now and In-Balance opening November

Sarah J. George

Hello, hello and welcome to the first of my two new Launceston acupuncture clinics, House of Prana!

House of Prana treatment room

So far October has been a big month with a successful move into House of Prana, Launceston, with acupuncture appointments from Mondays to Thursdays. It has been a pleasure to see so many of you for acupuncture and massage consultations here already in the first two weeks. Next month, from 13th November, I’ll be available at House of Prana on Mondays and Wednesday and have Tuesday and Thursday acupuncture appointments available at In-Balance’s new allied health hub also in Launceston.

Availability

  • Monday 9am-5pm – House of Prana
  • Tuesday 8am-4pm – House of Prana (last day 6th Nov and In Balance from 13th Nov)
  • Wednesday 10am-7pm – House of Prana
  • Thursday 10am-7.30pm – House of Prana (last day 8th Nov and In Balance from 15th Nov)

Clinic locations

  • House of Prana: Ground Floor, 127 George St, Launceston (the Old Roman Baths)
  • In-Balance: 1st Floor, 233B Charles Street, Launceston

Services available

  • Initial acupuncture consultation and treatment (allow up to 1 1/2 hrs)
  • Follow up acupuncture consultation and treatment (allow up to 1 hr)
  • Initial cosmetic acupuncture consultation and treatment (allow up to 1 3/4 hrs)
  • Follow up cosmetic acupuncture consultation and treatment (allow up to 1 1/4 hrs)
  • Massage – traditional Chinese massage – tuina (with oil, liniment, cupping & gua sha if desired and as required) (allow 1 hour)
  • Herbal medicines may be dispensed as appropriate and if you desire to enhance the results of your acupuncture appointment.
  • Acupuncture consultations are holistic and may also include as appropriate and if desired: Chinese Medicine dietary and lifestyle advice, moxibustion, far infrared heat lamp, laser acupuncture, electro acupuncture, cupping (many styles), gua sha and tuina.

House of Prana open now

For people who wish to see me at House of Prana, Launceston, feel free to book for acupuncture or massage by calling 0448 128 858 or contact me through these ways. If you wish to book for In-Balance for when it opens you can also contact me to reserve your preferred time in advance.

Once you arrive for your acupuncture appointment at House of Prana please feel free to make yourself comfortable in the beautiful ground floor waiting area or check out the yoga studio, Zen Therapy float centre or other health practitioners. I’ll come and get you from the ground floor waiting area at your appointment time.

House of Prana reception

In-Balance allied health hub – opens next month

I’ll post more about the exciting new In-Balance allied health hub closer to my start date (Tuesday 13th November) – stay tuned!

To book an appointment at the Launceston acupuncture clinics or for further information on Chinese Medicine contact Dr Sarah George (Acupuncture).  Sarah is a practitioner of acupuncture (AHPRA registered), massage therapy and natural health.