LAELIA DOUGLAS-BROWN

(SHE/HER)

Founder of CHI+CHILL, Laelia (Lay-lee-ah) is a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner and Acupuncturist.

She graduated from the University of Technology with a Bachelor of Health Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and chose to extend her learning with a placement in one of China’s largest learning hospitals in Cheng Du, observing the effectiveness of integrating Western and Eastern medicine. Back home, she ensures her learning is maximised with regular seminars, webinars, workshops and podcasts.

After working in both private practise and community clinics back in Sydney, she decided to create CHI+CHILL because she wanted to foster an inclusive space for others to access Eastern Medicine in a safe environment. In acknowledging her privilege in this practise, she particularly wants to emphasise welcome for those of LGBQT & BIPOC communities.

Outside of the clinic room, Laelia spends her time between rock-climbing, creating, tea-drinking, and has a healthy indoor plant obsession.

Laelia is a registered member of the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency (AHPRA) and the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA).

CHI+CHILL

CHI+CHILL was born out of the love of working with CHI (also known as Qi) and the feeling of CHILL many experience coming out of an Acupuncture session. CHI+CHILL balances a relaxed vibe, with detailed care.

Wanting to create a non-judgemental & inclusive space was of highest priority; welcoming all body types, races, genders, and sexualities. Laelia also works within low-impact clinics & is mindful of minimising waste and carbon emissions.

Laelia is currently based within established & gorgeous clinics in Sydney. You can find availabilities with her at Waverley and Petersham.

What does Acupuncture feel like?

Some people describe sensations of warm, fuzzy, dull, heavy, achy or tingly. Others feel a pleasant kind of hum, and some don’t feel anything at all.

Does Acupuncture hurt?

For the most part, no. Not really. You might feel a pinch as it goes in, and this can vary from person to person as well as what you’re coming in to get treated. Otherwise, most points won’t even get noticed.

People are often surprised that a regular session is really gentle. There are different styles of Acupuncture, and some people may report feeling more sensation than others. The average acupuncture pin used is extremely thin; 0.2mm to be exact, and sometimes even smaller!

What most people react to is the anticipation of a pin, rather than the pin itself.

When a point does have a bit of sensation, it is actually seen at a good thing! A bit dull or achy after a treatment is normal and subsides fairly quickly.  

Why does Acupuncture sometimes feel stronger?

If you do feel a bit more sensitive to pins it can be for a few reasons:

·      If you’re stressed, or in pain, your body can become reactive to pressure and get a bit jumpy. This often lessens the more frequently you have treatments. It’s usually due to your nervous system being on ‘high alert’ and trying to protect you from something unfamiliar. Luckily for you, Acupuncture works directly on regulating the nervous system and this often softens after a few visits.

·      Some women feel the pins a little more if their cycle is about to start and they’re already a bit tired or depleted. Once the pin is in, it will settle quite quickly.

·      Tight muscles can particularly feel a bit more sensation during a treatment, or a dull/achy/heaviness after a treatment, which is often due to changes in Qi and blood flow around the area & clears fairly quickly in the hours after, and in some cases a day or two of feeling a little like you’ve worked out. Fear not! When freshly oxygenated blood through an area that isn’t used to receiving those nutrients, or releasing a muscle which has been bound up for a while, it can take a little adjusting to & usually means it’s good to have a follow up to further flush things through.

The main thing to remember is that if a pin doesn’t settle down, it can be adjusted to ensure you’re comfortable and can get back to letting your system unwind!

LAELIA'S QUALIFICATIONS & ACCREDITATIONS

• Bachelor of Health Science (Traditional Chinese Medicine)

• Accredited member of Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA)

• Registered with Chinese Medicine Board of Australia (AHPRA Registration no: CMR0002024003)

Private health rebates are available

LAELIA HAS ADDITIONAL TRAINING IN:

• Acupuncture in Pregnancy & Birth with Debra Betts

• Acupuncture during Pregnancy: Safe and Ethical Practice with Claudia Citkovitz

• The Fertile Life Method with Kirsten Wolfe

• Treating Thyroid Conditions with Integrative TCM with Clare Pyers ​

• Intensive Sports Acupuncture & Advanced Motor Point with Rich Hazel and Dan Dominguez

• Foundations in Kiiko Style Acupuncture with Monica Kobyleka

• Balance System Acupuncture with Dr Sonia Tan

• Constitutional Facial Acupuncture with Mary Elizabeth Wakefield

• Practical Applications of Anti-Aging Facial Acupuncture with Michelle Gellis

• Current Apply First Aid

LAELIA IS CONTINUING HER TRAINING WITH AN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMA IN FERTILITY SUPPORT AND STUDYING NEURO-LINGUISTIC PROGRAMMING

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