Intentional Healing
Intentional Healing
Dr. Mei Ling Chow is a fully accredited and registered Chinese Medicine practitioner in Australia in both acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, and is recognised by the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia (CMBA), Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA).
Prior to Chinese Medicine, she has been a secondary school teacher in Western Australia, worked with faith and community groups in Queensland, before moving to Victoria to embark on her studies in Traditional Chinese Medicine. She is currently practicing in Melbourne CBD and South Melbourne. Since graduating, she has travelled to China to participate in training and further education.
Her background is in science, education and community, where she has vast experience in neuroscience research, teaching young adolescents, and working with faith and multicultural communities.
Dr. Mei speaks both English and Mandarin and is passionate in helping individuals achieve their best health. She is committed to educating you on the most effective ways to care for your body, empowering you to heal quickly and sustain long-term wellness.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Health Science (Chinese Medicine)
- Master of Science (Science Education)
- Postgraduate Diploma of Education
- Bachelor of Science with Honours (Neuroscience)
Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Holistic Approach to Healing and Wellness
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a time-honoured, experience-based medical system that has evolved over thousands of years in China. It offers a comprehensive approach to diagnosing and treating diseases by focusing on the body as a whole, rather than isolating symptoms. At the core of TCM is the principle of restoring internal balance and harmony whenever illness disrupts the body’s natural equilibrium.
Unlike Western medicine, which often identifies a specific cause for disease, TCM views health as the result of balanced energy—specifically the smooth flow of Qi (vital energy) and Blood throughout the body. When Qi and Blood are in harmony, the body, mind, and spirit can function optimally. Because every individual has a unique constitution, TCM treatment begins with a thorough health consultation to develop a personalised treatment plan to restore internal harmony and support overall well-being.
Core Concepts in TCM
Two foundational concepts in TCM are the Five Elements—Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood—and Yin-Yang theory. Each organ system corresponds to one of the Five Elements, and optimal health is achieved when all five are in balance, ensuring that the organs work in harmony.
In TCM philosophy, life is sustained by the interplay between Yang energy (from the sun) and Yin energy (from the earth). A healthy body requires a dynamic balance between Yin and Yang; any excess or deficiency in either can lead to disease. Treatment, therefore, focuses on correcting these imbalances to restore health.
TCM practitioners use a combination of acupuncture, herbal medicine, dietary therapy, and lifestyle guidance to regulate the flow of Qi and Blood, rebalance the Five Elements, and restore Yin-Yang harmony. When internal homeostasis is reestablished, the body naturally heals itself—regardless of the original cause of illness.
Conditions TCM Can Help With
TCM has been shown to be effective in supporting a wide range of health concerns, including:
Pain management and stress relief
Mental health issues such as insomnia, anxiety, depression, and chronic fatigue
Digestive disorders
Women’s health, including menstrual irregularities, menopause, and fertility support
Children’s health
Age-related conditions in seniors
Overall wellness and disease prevention
TCM in Australia
In Australia, TCM is a nationally regulated health profession. Practitioners undergo extensive education and clinical training, and must be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). You can verify your practitioner’s registration by visiting the AHPRA website.
No referral is needed to see a TCM practitioner - simply book an appointment to explore this holistic and time-tested approach to healing and wellness.
Types of Treatment
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In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the body and mind function through vital substances of Qi, Blood, Essence, Body Fluid and Shen.
Qi is similar to energy flow that circulates all around the body, and when there is a deficiency of Qi, the body could present with signs of tiredness, poor digestion, coldness, and weak immunity. Qi deficiency could also result in stagnation of Qi, which overtime will transform into excessive heat I the body.
Blood nourishes the organs and the mind, and goes hand-in-hand with Qi. For example, Qi moves Blood, and if a person does not have enough Qi, the blood will not flow as smoothly, and overtime can lead to stagnation of Blood.
Essence belongs to the Kidney and is associated with growth and reproduction. A deficiency of Essence can manifest in a weak constitution or a weak mind.
Body fluids such as tears and sweat, provide moisture and lubrication to the body, and will interfere with the production of other vital substances if it is imbalanced.
Shen is associated with emotions and mental conditions, and an imbalance of Shen usually manifest as psychological illnesses
There are specific points around our body where Qi and Blood gather, and when needles are inserted into those points, it will improve Qi and blood circulation and encourage the flow of energy through the body.
Acupuncture is widely used an alternative treatment approach in various disorders, and involves inserting sterile, single-use fine needles into the skin at specific points to improve Qi and blood circulation.
Acupuncture is recognised as an effective alternative to medical therapies and does not involve in the injection of any medicine or chemicals into the body. It offers a less expensive treatment approach and is as effective as western medicines, and there is much scientific evidence in the benefits of acupuncture in improving quality of life, reducing symptoms, and is associated with minimal side effects.
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In most treatment plan, a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) doctor will use acupuncture and/or Chinese herbs to strengthen Qi and Blood as its healing principle. Chinese herbs are derived from either animal or plant, and it is very common to combine different herbs into a formula. Herbal formula has been proven to have greater efficacy due to the synergistic actions of the herbs and the ability to act on multiple organs in the body.
Herbal remedies have been used for centuries to treat illnesses in TCM, and they are considered natural and safe. Like all medicines, herbal remedies have the potential to interact with other prescription medicines you are taking and this could be toxic. To avoid the toxic side effects of herb-drug interactions, remember to inform your TCM doctor if you are taking prescription medicines, and your GP if you are taking herbal remedies
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Facial acupuncture uses the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to improve your complexion and improve skin conditions. Also known as cosmetic acupuncture, it is a natural and non-invasive therapy designed to enhance skin youthfulness and overall facial radiance.
Thin, fine acupuncture needles are inserted on your face, which stimulates blood circulation to enhance your skin’s healing and rejuvenation mechanism. It promotes collagen production, which smoothens uneven skin surfaces and reduces wrinkles, as well as pore size.
At our clinic, body acupuncture will be used alongside facial acupuncture to treat the underlying cause of your skin problem. It improves your body’s constitution and addresses underlying problems that contribute to poor complexion, such as stress and digestive issues. Thus, this treatment has a two-fold action by treating your complexion externally whilst balancing your body’s internal energy.
Benefits of facial acupuncture include:
Improving skin complexion
Reducing fine lines and wrinkles
Lightening spots and scars
Tightening skin and pores
Effects will vary among individuals, and an initial treatment plan will be once a week for 3 months, followed by once a month for maintenance.
Important:
Facial acupuncture is not suitable for people with skin infections, open wounds, bleeding disorders, or tumours.
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TCM uses a holistic approach and looks at the whole body whenever there is a health issue. Using acupuncture and Chinese herbs to promote the smooth flow of Qi and blood, this will restore the internal balance of the body, thereby treating the health issue. TCM can help with:
Pain management and stress relief
Emotion related disorders - insomnia, anxiety, depression, fatigue
Digestive issues
Women's health issues and fertility
Children's health issues
Senior's health issues
Women's health support such as fertility care, menopause and period issues
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During the initial consultation, your practitioner will ask you questions relating to all aspects of your health such as medical and family history, digestion, sleeping and eating patterns, and emotional states. This will be followed by pulse taking on both wrists and inspection of the tongue. This information will help your practitioner to come up with a diagnosis for your concerns and a customised TCM treatment plan.
Tip: Eat a light meal before your appointment to allow the body to adjust to the effects of the acupuncture. Please wear comfortable and loose clothing if you plan to have acupuncture, preferably clothing that will allow the arms and legs to be easily accessible.
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Only very thin sterilized and disposable needles are used in both body and facial acupuncture, and they are virtually painless when inserted. After needle insertion, you may feel a tingling or dull sensation, indicating the arrival of Qi to initiate the healing process. Each person’s experience is different, and some people may not feel anything at all. This is perfectly normal. Inform your practitioner immediately if you experience any discomfort, and the needles will be adjusted accordingly.
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Treatments are done on a weekly basis. Everyone is different and depending on the severity and types of problem, it may range from 2-10 sessions. As the aim of TCM treatment is to restore the body’s internal balance, the treatment is complete once this is achieved. Typically, herbal treatments take between 1-6 months, acupuncture treatments between 3-12 sessions, depending on the severity of the problem. Chronic health issues may require longer treatments while acute issues sometimes may only require one visit.
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Almost all private insurance companies cover Acupuncture if your policy includes extras cover for ‘natural therapies’ or ‘complementary therapies’. Please bring your insurance card to the clinic and call your insurance company if you have any questions.