Clinic news
Dear friends and patients,
We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.
Our acupuncture and chiropractic clinic are remaining open at the moment.
As always,
Safety is our first priority
We have committed:
High standard infection control to be practiced in our clinics.
• Masks offered to all and to use when you entering our clinics;
• Hand sanitizers for all to use.
• Single used disposable cover sheets are used in all treatment rooms and tables.
• Hourly cleaning of all public areas.
For any respiratory conditions, please DO NOT come to visit us in the clinic. We are offering phone/video consultation and herbal prescriptions.
Herbs can will be collected by your friends or family, or will be dropped in your car while you are waiting in the car park.
Before your visit:
If you or a close contact have any of the below:
• cough, fever, sore throat or runny nose
• returned from overseas in the past 14 days
• any contact with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 in the past 14 days,
Please call us so we can reschedule your appointment.
We are offering phone/video consultation and herbal prescriptions for fertility and other general conditions.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, as this is the best way to stop transmission of this virus.
During your visit:
• If you arrive early for your appointment, please consider remaining in your car until much closer to your appointment time.
• To reduce the numbers in our waiting areas, please don’t bring other children/family members into our clinic.
• Use the masks provided, and please use hand sanitizer/alcohol sprays upon arrival.
• If you need to sneeze or cough, please cover your mouth and nose with tissues or your upper sleeve or elbow. Please dispose of the tissue in the bins provided. Wash or sanitize your hands afterwards immediately.
• Please wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilets.
After your visit:
If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and may have been infected around the time of your visit, please inform us.
Your confidentially will be protected.
We are reviewing these steps regularly in conjunction with current advice from the Australian Government and Public Health authorities. We are committed to the safety and well-being of all our patients, their families and our staff. We thank you for your kind understanding and help to keep everyone safe.
Take care and be safe. Let’s get through this together.
Yours for better health
Dr. Richard Zeng (D.CM)
General conditions
Dear friends and patients,
The Coronarivus has been spreading in Australia. There are increasing information about the coronavirus from the media and social media. People are becoming more anxious about the virus – we see panic buying of toilet paper and other stuffs from the supermarket.
Here are a few things that I would like to share with you about the virus and tips to avoid COVID 19 infection at this special period of time.
First please remember – virus are opportunists.
Opportunistic infections happen when your immune systems are weak. If your immune systems are strong, you have less change of being infected, or have less severe symptoms if you are infected.
As the Bible of Chinese medicine – Yellow Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic Says:
正气存内，邪不可干 – When there is sufficient healthy qi inside, pathogenic factors have no way to invade the body
Therefore the most important thing is:
Don’t give virus any opportunity!
That includes two measures:
Firstly, keep your immune system strong
Secondly, avoid the virus
Here are a few tips for a healthy immune systems
Stay calm and have less stress – constant worry or persistent high stress blocks your energy flow and reduce your immune system.
Be mindful to have necessary and enough rest when you are tired – Do Not overstrain or overwork, especially when we are in a COVID pandemic.
Have enough sleep – Go to bed early if you can. Our body repairs, recovers and recreates energy during sleep, so does our immune system.
Keep warm – avoid get cold by wearing enough clothes.
Eat a healthy diet – Less drinking alcohol and have enough water
No smoking – smoker’s lung function have already been compromised. Evidence showed smokers have higher rate to become severe cases once they have contract Covid-19. It is time to quit smoking now.
Lots of sunlight – Sunlight is the nature’s greatest disinfectant because the ultraviolet light inactivates bacteria and viruses. Researchers found a certain spectrum of ultraviolet light — far-UVC easily kills airborne flu viruses while posing no risk to people.
Sunlight will also improve your vitamin D which is important to your immune system.
Now in Melbourne is Autumn – the most beautiful season and full of sunlight. So Let’s get outdoor and enjoy the sunshine.
Moderate exercises – Exercises contribute to general good health and boost your immune system. I suggest moderate intensity exercises such as power walking, jogging, light weight training, yoga, Taichi.
Important: Remember to take a shower straight away after your exercises if you sweat during exercises. Or at least change into dry clothes.
Why is that?
Although exercises improve your immune system, your body is temporarily vulnerable after exercise, especially if after perspiration:
– You are tired after exercises.
– Your core temperate is high however your body surface temperature is low from sweating because your clothes are still wet.
Taking a shower and change into dry clothes give you less opportunity for virus to attack you.
AVOID virus
虚邪贼风 避之有时
For evil pathogens, avoid at times – Yellow Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic
Wash your hands
Viruses bind with grease. Washing your hands with soap kills virus.
Hand sanitiser with 70~75% alcohol kills virus too.
If you can’t buy sanitiser you can make your own at home – buy the 95% methylated spirit and dilute into 70~75%.
Avoid touch you face, mouth, eyes and nose
Avoid close contact with people who are sick
Ventilate your home and office – Poor ventilation traps virus. Increase ventilation by opening windows and room doors.
Chinese herbal medicine
I recently read articles in Chinese regarding Chinese herbal medicine treatment that seems to have the ability to reduce symptoms of coronavirus.
I’ve also read news that almost everyone is taking Chinese herbal medicine decoctions for those who have been isolated in the Fang-Chang hospitals （mobile cabin hospitals) with mild to moderate symptoms. It has reported that none of those patients turned into severe cases with herbal medicine.
20 years ago I worked at Wuhan Chinese Medicine Hospital. One of ex colleague, Dr. Lv have recently participated in treating patients at one of the mobile cabin hospitals. I had a few chats with him. He shared a lot of information about both WM and TCM diagnosis and treatment for Covid-19. He also shared some Chinese medicine formulas that they’ve used to prevent and treat the disease at those hospitals.
I am studying these herbal-medicine-formulas and will be prepared to engage in ‘telehealth’ sessions with anyone should you experience any symptoms.
If anyone of you, or your family members have any concern or experience any symptoms, please let us know by call 03 8802 1519.
Via the phone or video consultation I may be able to prepare the proper herbs for you to pick up or post to your address.
Be well and stay safe!
Yours for better health
Dr. Richard Zeng (Dr. TCM)
中文
就诊建议和忠告
如果您：
- 在14天内到过COVID-19疫情风险较高国家或地区；
- 或在14天内出现最后一次接触确诊病例；
您需要在14天潜伏期过后才来我们诊所看病。
而如果您已经有发烧、咳嗽、喉咙痛、疲劳或气短等症状
请暂时不要来我们诊所,而是先预约您的GP或本地医院急诊科就诊，进行紧急评估。
请浏览 www.health.gov.au/covid19-travellers 了解当前中高度疫情风险国家列表。
在去诊所或医院之前，应先打电话
告知您曾到过的地方，或者自己可能接触过冠状病毒疑似病例。必须在家中或医疗机构中保持隔离，直到公共卫生机构通知您可以安全如常地活动。
认为自己可能与冠状病毒确诊病例有过密切接触的人士也应该监测自己的健康状况，并寻求紧急医疗救助。
For more information please call 1800 675 398
COVID-19 Update
Dear patients,
We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.
Our acupuncture and chiropractic clinic are remaining open at the moment.
As always,
Safety is our first priority.
WE HAVE COMMITTED:
High standard infection control to be practiced in our clinics.
• Masks offered to all and to use when you entering our clinics;
• Hand sanitizers for all to use.
• Single used disposable cover sheets are used in all treatment rooms and tables.
• Hourly cleaning of all public areas.
For any respiratory conditions, please DO NOT come to visit us in the clinic. We are offering phone/video consultation and herbal prescriptions.
Herbs can will be collected by your friends or family, or will be dropped in your car while you are waiting in the car park.
BEFORE YOUR VISIT:
If you or a close contact have any of the below:
• cough, fever, sore throat or runny nose
• returned from overseas in the past 14 days
• any contact with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 in the past 14 days,
Please call us so we can reschedule your appointment.
We are offering phone/video consultation and herbal prescriptions for fertility and other general conditions.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, as this is the best way to stop transmission of this virus.
DURING YOUR VISIT:
• If you arrive early for your appointment, please consider remaining in your car until much closer to your appointment time.
• To reduce the numbers in our waiting areas, please don’t bring other children/family members into our clinic.
• Use the masks provided, and please use hand sanitizer/alcohol sprays upon arrival.
• If you need to sneeze or cough, please cover your mouth and nose with tissues or your upper sleeve or elbow. Please dispose of the tissue in the bins provided. Wash or sanitize your hands afterwards immediately.
• Please wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilets.
AFTER YOUR VISIT:
If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and may have been infected around the time of your visit, please inform us.
Your confidentially will be protected.
We are reviewing these steps regularly in conjunction with current advice from the Australian Government and Public Health authorities. We are committed to the safety and well-being of all our patients, their families and our staff. We thank you for your kind understanding and help to keep everyone safe.
last update : 24/03/2020
Consultation Advice
Dear patient,
If you have already developed symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, tiredness or shortness of breath,
Please DO NOT come to see our practitioners. Instead you should first arrange to see your local GP or visit local hospital doctor for urgent assessment.
If you develop symptom, you should telephone the health clinic or hospital
- before you arrive and
- tell them your travel history, or that you may have been in contact with a potential case of coronavirus.
You must remain isolated either in your home or a healthcare setting until public health authorities inform you it is safe for you to return to your usual activities.
For more information please call the dedicated hotline on 1800 675 398
Acupuncture ivf research, Fertility, Research
Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine for Fertility and IVF Support
Many couples exploring fertility treatments, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), often seek complementary therapies to improve their chances of success. Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have been widely used for fertility support, with emerging research suggesting potential benefits. While some studies indicate positive outcomes, it is important to consult with your treating practitioners about how acupuncture may be able to help you. Additionally, regulatory bodies such as AHPRA may not accept these studies as definitive evidence.
Research on Acupuncture and IVF Outcomes
- The Effects of Acupuncture on Pregnancy Outcomes of IVF: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (2019)
- This study found that acupuncture may benefit women undergoing IVF, particularly those with previous unsuccessful attempts. The number of acupuncture treatments appears to be an influential factor. However, methodological flaws in existing studies highlight the need for further research.
- Read more
- Impact of Whole Systems Traditional Chinese Medicine (WS-TCM) on IVF Outcomes (2015)
- A review of 1,231 IVF patient records found that WS-TCM was associated with higher live birth rates compared to IVF alone or embryo transfer with acupuncture only. Both donor and non-donor IVF cycles showed improved outcomes with WS-TCM.
- Read more
- Effects of Chinese Herbs Combined with IVF and Embryo Transfer (2014)
- A randomized controlled trial found that Chinese herbal medicine increased endometrial thickness, improved embryo quality, and enhanced IVF success rates.
- Read more
Chinese Herbal Medicine for Infertility
- A Meta-Analysis on Chinese Herbal Medicine for Female Infertility (2015)
- This review of 40 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 4,247 women found that Chinese herbal medicine could double pregnancy rates within 3–6 months compared to Western fertility drugs. It also improved ovulation rates, cervical mucus quality, and endometrial thickness.
- Read more
- Traditional Chinese Medicine for Diminished Ovarian Reserve (2014)
- A systematic review found that TCM reduced FSH levels and increased antral follicle count, suggesting benefits for women with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). It also showed promise as an adjunct to IVF-ET.
- Read more
Acupuncture for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Acupuncture for PCOS (2017)
- The study found that acupuncture could improve ovulation and menstrual regularity, with additional benefits when combined with medication. However, the evidence quality was rated low to very low.
- Read more
- Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine for PCOS-Related Infertility (2018)
- This study found that combining acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and letrozole improved menstrual cycles, ovulation rates, and pregnancy outcomes for PCOS patients.
- Read more
Acupuncture and Endometrial Receptivity
- Acupuncture for Improving Endometrial Receptivity: A Systematic Review (2019)
- The study concluded that acupuncture showed statistically significant benefits for women with low endometrial receptivity. However, the quality of evidence was low, warranting further research.
- Read more
Acupuncture and Hormonal Balance
- A Literature Review on Acupuncture and Women’s Sex Hormones (2018)
- Acupuncture was found to influence hormone levels, including estrogen, progesterone, prolactin, FSH, and LH, potentially improving reproductive health.
- Read more
Male Infertility and Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Poor Semen Quality (2018)
- A retrospective study found that 92.5% of male patients using TCM experienced semen quality improvement.
- Read more
- Garlic and Male Fertility: A Systematic Review
- Research suggested that garlic may enhance fertility due to its antioxidant properties, improving testosterone levels and testicular structure. However, more clinical trials are needed.
- Read more
- Traditional Korean Medicine for Male Infertility (2018)
- A retrospective study showed that 70.5% of male infertility patients who underwent TKM treatment had partners who conceived naturally within a year.
- Read more
Final Thoughts
While research on acupuncture and TCM for fertility and IVF support is promising, more high-quality studies are needed to confirm these findings. If you are considering acupuncture or herbal medicine as part of your fertility journey, consult with a qualified practitioner to determine the best approach for your individual needs.
Acupuncture Research
List are a few researches of acupuncture Chinese herbal medicine for endometriosis. Note:
AHPRA may not accept those evidence.
Effects of acupuncture for the treatment of endometriosis-related pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis – 2017
Author’s conclusions
Acupuncture can alleviate the pain of dysmenorrhoea and reduce peripheral blood CA-125. As a result, the therapy could be applied as a complementary treatment for endometriosis-related pain.
However, few randomised, blinded clinical trials have addressed the efficacy of acupuncture in treating endometriosis-related pain. Nonetheless, the current literature consistently finds that acupuncture yields better reductions in pain and serum CA-125 levels than do control treatments, regardless of the control intervention used.
To confirm this finding, additional studies with proper controls, blinding methods, and adequate sample sizes are needed.
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Chinese herbal medicine for endometriosis (Review 2012)
Main results
Two Chinese RCTs involving 158 women were included in this review. Although both these trials described adequate methodology they were of limited quality. Neither trial compared CHM with placebo treatment. There was no evidence of a significant difference in rates of symptomatic relief between CHM and gestrinone administered subsequent to laparoscopic surgery (RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.91 to 1.18). There was no significant difference between the CHM and gestrinone groups with regard to the total pregnancy rate (69.6% versus 59.1%; RR 1.18, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.59, one RCT).
CHM administered orally and then in conjunction with a herbal enema resulted in a greater proportion of women obtaining symptomatic relief than with danazol (RR 5.06, 95% CI 1.28 to 20.05; RR 5.63, 95% CI 1.47 to 21.54, respectively). Oral plus enema administration of CHM resulted in a greater reduction in average dysmenorrhoea pain scores than did danazol (mean difference (MD) -2.90, 95%
CI -4.55 to -1.25). For lumbosacral pain, rectal discomfort, or vaginal nodules tenderness, there was no significant difference between CHM and danazol.
Overall, 100% of women in both studies showed some improvement in their symptoms. Women taking CHM had fewer side effects than those taking either gestrinone or danazol.
Authors’ conclusions
Post-surgical administration of CHM may have comparable benefits to gestrinone. Oral CHM may have a better overall treatment effect than danazol and it may be more effective in relieving dysmenorrhoea when used in conjunction with a CHM enema. CHM appears to have fewer side effects than either gestrinone or danazol. However, more rigorous research is required to accurately assess the potential role of CHM in treating endometriosis.
Plain language summary
Chinese herbs for endometriosis
Endometriosis is a common gynaecological condition causing menstrual and pelvic pain. Treatment involves surgery and hormonal drugs, with potentially unpleasant side effects and high rates of reoccurrence of endometriosis. The two small studies in this review suggest that Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) may be as effective as gestrinone and may be more effective than danazol in relieving
endometriosis-related pain, with fewer side effects than experienced with conventional treatment. However, the two trials included in this review were small and of limited quality so these findings must be interpreted cautiously. Better quality randomised controlled trials are needed to investigate apossible role for CHM in the treatment of endometriosis.
Acupuncture for pain in endometriosis (Review 2011)
https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD007864.pub2/epdf/standard
Main results
Twenty-four studies were identified that involved acupuncture for endometriosis; however only one trial, enrolling 67 participants, met all the inclusion criteria. The single included trial defined pain scores and cure rates according to the Guideline for Clinical Research on New Chinese Medicine. Dysmenorrhoea scores were lower in the acupuncture group (mean difference -4.81 points, 95% confidence interval -6.25 to -3.37, P < 0.00001) using the 15-point Guideline for Clinical Research on New Chinese Medicine for Treatment of Pelvic Endometriosis scale. The total effective rate (’cured’, ’significantly effective’ or ’effective’) for auricular acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine was 91.9% and 60%, respectively (risk ratio 3.04, 95% confidence interval 1.65 to 5.62, P = 0.0004).
The improvement rate did not differ significantly between auricular acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine for cases of mild to moderate dysmenorrhoea, whereas auricular acupuncture did significantly reduce pain in cases of severe dysmenorrhoea. Data were not available for secondary outcomes measures.
Authors’ conclusions
The evidence to support the effectiveness of acupuncture for pain in endometriosis is limited, based on the results of only a single study that was included in this review. This review highlights the necessity for developing future studies that are well-designed, double-blinded, randomised controlled trials that assess various types of acupuncture in comparison to conventional therapies.
Plain language summary
Acupuncture for pain in endometriosis
Endometriosis is a gynaecological disease that causes chronic pelvic pain, most notably painful menstruation, as the most common complaint. Acupuncture is frequently used to treat both pain and various gynaecological conditions. This review examined the effectiveness of acupuncture for reducing pain in endometriosis; however only one study met our inclusion criteria.
The data from the included study, involving 67 women, indicated that ear acupuncture is more effective compared to Chinese herbal medicine for reducing menstrual pain. The study did not report whether participants suffered any side effects from their treatments. Lager, well-designed studies comparing acupuncture with conventional therapies are necessary to confirm these results.
Research
Abstract
Chinese herbal medicines (CHM) are often used in managing cancer related symptoms but their effectiveness and safety is controversial.
We conducted this overview of meta-analyses to summarize evidence on CHM for cancer palliative care. We included systematic reviews (SRs) with meta-analyses of CHM clinical trials on patients diagnosed with any type of cancer.
Methodological quality of included meta-analyses was assessed with the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) Instrument. Fifty-one SRs with meta-analyses were included. They covered patients with lung (20 SRs), gastric (8 SRs), colorectal (6 SRs), liver (6 SRs), breast (2 SRs), cervical (1 SR), esophageal (1 SR), and nasopharyngeal (1 SR) cancers. Six SRs summarized evidence on various types of cancer. Methodological quality of included meta-analyses was not satisfactory.
Overall, favorable therapeutic effects in improving quality of life among cancer patients have been reported. Conflicting evidence exists for the effectiveness of CHM in prolonging survival and in reducing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy related toxicities. No serious adverse effects were reported in all included studies. Evidence indicated that CHM could be considered as an option for improving quality of life among patients receiving palliative care. It is unclear if CHM may increase survival, or reduce therapy related toxicities.
Evidence showed that the combination of CHM and chemotherapy significantly reduced leucopenia, nausea and vomiting, thrombocytopenia and anemia in NSCLC, gastric cancer patients. It also significantly reduced nausea and vomiting in liver cancer patients. In general, CHM appears to be useful in improving leucopenia, thrombocytopenia and anemia among various types of cancer.
Base on the evidence we identified, CHM may be considered as an adjuvant option to improve QoL among cancer patients.
Chung, V. C.H. et al. Effectiveness of Chinese herbal medicine for cancer palliative care: overview of systematic reviews with meta-analyses. Sci. Rep. 5, 18111; doi: 10.1038/srep18111 (2015).
Acupuncture Research
A systematic review and meta-analysis
Hye Lin Woo, KMD,a Hae Ri Ji, KMD,e Yeon Kyoung Pak, KMD,e Hojung Lee,c Su Jeong Heo, KMD, PhD,dJin Moo Lee, KMD, PhD,b and Kyoung Sun Park, KMD, PhDb,∗
Medicine (Baltimore). 2018 Jun; 97(23): e11007.
Abstract
Background:
This systematic review aimed to evaluate the current evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of acupuncture on primary dysmenorrhea.
Methods:
Ten electronic databases were searched for relevant articles published before December 2017. This study included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of women with primary dysmenorrhea; these RCTs compared acupuncture to no treatment, placebo, or medications, and measured menstrual pain intensity and its associated symptoms. Three independent reviewers participated in data extraction and assessment. The risk of bias in each article was assessed, and a meta-analysis was conducted according to the types of acupuncture. The results were expressed as mean difference (MD) or standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
Results:
This review included 60 RCTs; the meta-analysis included 49 RCTs. Most studies showed a low or unclear risk of bias. We found that compared to no treatment, manual acupuncture (MA) (SMD = −1.59, 95% CI [−2.12, −1.06]) and electro-acupuncture (EA) was more effective at reducing menstrual pain, and compared to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), MA (SMD = −0.63, 95% CI [−0.88, −0.37]) and warm acupuncture (WA) (SMD = −1.12, 95% CI [−1.81, −0.43]) were more effective at reducing menstrual pain. Some studies showed that the efficacy of acupuncture was maintained after a short-term follow-up.
Conclusion:
The results of this study suggest that acupuncture might reduce menstrual pain and associated symptoms more effectively compared to no treatment or NSAIDs, and the efficacy could be maintained during a short-term follow-up period. Despite limitations due to the low quality and methodological restrictions of the included studies, acupuncture might be used as an effective and safe treatment for females with primary dysmenorrhea.
