Rain Zhao is an Osteopath and experienced Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Practitioner. While osteopathy and TCM are distinct practices, they both work with the body’s subtle energetic fields. This allows osteopathy and TCM to be incorporated in treatment to provide a unique therapeutic experience.   

Osteopathy and TCM can include both physical aspects to the treatment, as well as energetic. Rain is skilled at the gentle manual approaches of osteopathy and integrates them with a deep knowledge of acupuncture, guasha, Chinese herbs, Tuina massage and cupping.

What to Expect during an Integrated Osteopathic and TCM Approach:

Initial Assessment:
Case History
A thorough case history is where all our practitioners at Stillpoint Osteopaths start. This will involve asking you questions about your presenting complaint, health history, personal history and current lifestyle. 

Physical Examination:
Rain will then complete both an osteopathic and TCM examination. Assessments involving movement of your injured area, orthopaedic tests and gait analysis if required. Rain will also complete an assessment of the patient’s pulses and observe their face, hands and tongue.

Management Plan:
Rain will discuss their findings and recommend a management plan based on the results of their assessment and your health goals. 

If Rain decides that a combined approach is best for you, the TCM and Osteopathic techniques may be used together to target multiple aspects of one health concern. It could also be just an osteopathic approach or TCM approach. 

Rain will discuss this with you pointing out the benefits of each approach so you can decide what you are most comfortable with.

What should I do before treatment?
It is better to avoid drinking coffee or eating a large meal immediately prior to TCM treatment.

TCM treatment is not appropriate if at the time you are under the influence of alcohol or recreational drugs. Cigarettes, caffeine, or recreational drugs make it more difficult for your practitioner to diagnose your condition accurately.

Post Treatment Care:
Rain may provide you with advice on how to care for yourself at home. This may include pressing reflex points to increase Qi, performing Qi-gong(Exercise) to increase Qi circulation, exercises and stretches, or lifestyle changes that can help support your recovery and general health. 

What should I do after a treatment?
Energetic changes will continue in the body for a period of time after the treatment, so it is preferable to avoid any strenuous activity immediately after treatment to optimise the results. To avoid undoing the effects of the treatment, it is also better not to consume any alcohol or recreational drugs. Staying hydrated is also helpful.

Overall, and integrated osteopathy and acupuncture treatment is a gentle but effective way to treat multiple aspects of a health concern, and it provides a comprehensive approach to physical and energetic imbalances in the body.