DONGARA
ACUPUNCTURE
I am closed indefinitely
whilst I travel Australia.
I look forward to seeing you again when I return.
Discover optimum health
WELCOME
TO
DONGARA
ACUPUNCTURE
TO
Hi, my name is Ann and I am a Doctor of Chinese Medicine. I established Dongara Acupuncture in 2019 after moving from Perth. I love treating a wide variety of conditions including anxiety, depression, muscular skeletal pain, fertility and pregnancy conditions, preparation for childbirth and menopause symptoms. I am passionate about continuing to improve my knowledge on all things acupuncture and regularly attend workshops and seminars.
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I'm nearly a local, having grown up on a farm near Mingenew before moving to Perth and joining the WA Police Force. Years later I decided to leave policing and go back to university to study Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. After graduating I began volunteer work at the AIDS council of WA. Following this I worked in clinics at Mindarie, Scarborough and Bunbury whilst also running my home clinic.
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I have also studied Japanese acupuncture, both here and in Japan. I now combine the gentle needling technique of the Japanese style of acupuncture with my skills and knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine which includes acupuncture, gua sha, moxibustion, cupping and herbs.
“Health is the greatest possession.”
- Lao Tzu
ACUPUNCTURE
Acupuncture was first practiced in China over 2000 years ago, making it one of the oldest health care systems in the world!
Originally sharpened bones or rocks were used as needles but now we use very fine (0.12mm - 0.3mm) sterilised disposable needles.
These needles are so fine that many people don't feel them being placed in the body. Unlike medical needles that your GP may use, acupuncture needles rarely course pain.
GUA SHA
Gua Sha, spooning or scraping as it is sometimes known as, improves circulation by rubbing a specialised tool on the skin at the site of the problem.
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The Gua Sha tool has a smooth edge and is firmly scraped against the oiled skin, along the meridian pathways.
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This process can produces “sha”, a distinctive reddening and bruising type mark on the skin. While this may not look nice, the sha indicates a release of inflammation, heat and pain from the deeper levels of the body.
CUPPING
Cupping is an ancient Chinese medical treatment that involves placing different sized cups on the skin to create suction. The cups can be made of glass, bamboo, plastic and even silicon.
One or more cups are applied to the skin which may either be left in the same place for several minutes, or moved along meridian pathways.
The suction in the cups helps improve blood circulation and relieve muscle pain and spasm.
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Cupping is generally pain free but can leave a bruise type mark on the skin which usually disappears within 2 to 4 days.
MOXIBUSTION
Moxibustion, or Moxa as it is commonly called, has been used for over 2500 years. Moxa is a herb that is often burnt on top of a needle and is mainly used to warm and nourish the body and to increase circulation.
