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| Acupuncture : Australian Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Association Ltd Acupuncture is a system of healing which has been practiced in China and other Eastern countries for thousands of years. Although often described as a means of pain relief, it is in fact used to treat people with a wide range of illnesses. Its focus is on improving the overall well being of the patient, rather than the isolated treatment of specific symptoms. According to traditional Chinese philosophy, our health is dependent on the body's motivating energy - known as Qi - moving in a smooth and balanced way through a series of meridians (channels) beneath the skin. Qi consists of equal and opposite qualities - Yin and Yang - and when these become unbalanced, illness may result. By inserting fine needles into the channels of energy, an acupuncturist can stimulate the body's own healing response and help restore its natural balance. The flow of Qi can be disturbed by a number of factors. These include emotional states such as anxiety, stress, anger, fear or grief, poor nutrition, weather conditions, hereditary factors, infections, poisons and trauma. The principal aim of acupuncture in treating the whole person is to recover the equilibrium between the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of the individual. Podiatrists : Australasian Podiatry Council ( Australian Podiatry Association ) Podiatrists diagnose and treat disorders and injuries of the foot and lower leg. The foot is designed for balance and mobility. Healthy feet are necessary for a healthy body. Podiatrists treat problems that keep the feet and lower legs from working properly. Podiatrists treat foot problems that can make walking painful or create other problems in the body. For example, they treat corns, bunions, ingrown toenails, heel spurs, and poor arches. Podiatrists also treat ankle and foot injuries, such as a sprained ankle or a broken toe. They treat deformities of the foot that cause problems with walking. In addition, they treat foot problems related to diseases such as diabetes. To treat these problems, podiatrists sometimes prescribe drugs. They also set broken bones, perform surgery, or order physical therapy. In addition, they often fit patients for shoe inserts called orthodics. They also design plaster casts to correct foot deformities or design special shoes. For example, for a patient with a heel spur, a podiatrist might fit an orthodic for the arch. This would take pressure off the heel. The podiatrist might also give the patient foot exercises. These would stretch and strengthen the arch. If the patient still felt a lot of pain after these changes, the doctor might inject the heel with medicine to relieve the swelling. To diagnose a foot problem, podiatrists may order x-rays or lab tests. For example, they may take an x-ray to diagnose a broken bone. However, podiatrists also use lab tests to diagnose serious conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease. For example, diabetics are prone to foot ulcers and infections due to poor circulation. Podiatrists consult with and refer patients to other health care providers when they see symptoms of these disorders. Physiotherapists : Australian Physiotherapy Association A good physiotherapist is trained and up to date in assessing the underlining causes of joint, muscle and nerve injuries and provide effective treatment. Using a wide variety of drug free techniques to relieve pain, restore movement and prevent further problems. The physiotherapist can also assist in the management of a wide variety of other conditions such as Asthma, Cancer Control, Cardio Health, Diabetes, Arthritis. Osteopaths : Australian Osteopathic Association (AOA) Osteopathy is an established, recognised system of diagnosis and treatment that lays its main emphasis on the structural integrity of the body. It is distinctive in the fact that it recognises much of the pain and disability we suffer stems from abnormalities in the function of the body structure as well as damage caused to it by disease. Osteopathy uses many of the diagnostic procedures used in conventional medical assessment and diagnosis. Its main strength, however, lies in the unique way the patient is assessed from a mechanical, functional and postural standpoint and the manual methods of treatment applied to suit the needs of the individual patient. Chiropractors : Chiropractors Association of Australia Chiropractic is based on the scientific fact that your body is a self-regulating, self-healing organism. These important functions are controlled by the brain, spinal cord, and all the nerves of the body. The skull protects the delicate tissues of the brain. The moving bones of the spine protect the vulnerable communication pathways of the spinal cord and nerve roots. If the nervous system is impaired, it can cause malfunction of the tissue and organs throughout the body. is the science of locating offending spinal structures, the art of reducing their impact to the nervous system, and a philosophy of natural health care based on your inborn potential to be healthy. |
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