QUALIFICATIONS​

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• Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Movement and Health Studies) 2007

• Master of Physiotherapy (Graduate Entry) 2012

• Master of Applied Science (Acupuncture) 2020

• Registered Physiotherapist

• Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioner 

• Registered Acupuncturist

• Clinical Mentorship With Dr Marc Cohen 2022-onwards
  Mentoring has focused on Dr Marc’s interests and areas of expertise including, but not limited to:

  • Integrative Medicine

  • Mind, Body & Health

  • Food, Herbs & Natural Medicine

  • Water Bathing & Energetics

  • Lifestyle & Detoxification

  • Find out more about Dr Marc and everything Health and Wellness at drmarc.co

 

AFFILIATE LINKS / PROMOTIONS
 

• Use 'PHYSMED05' for 5% off Beautiful Water Filters available at beautifulwater.co

• Use 'David Boyd' for 5% off Sun Stream Infrared Saunas https://www.infraredsaunasau.com.au/

• Use 'PhysMed' for 15% off Vivobarefoot shoes at www.solemechanics.com.au

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Physiotherapy

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Physiotherapy focuses on restoring movement, improving function, and reducing pain by identifying and addressing the underlying causes of your symptoms. Treatment is highly individualised and combines patient education with evidence-based interventions to support long-term recovery and resilience.

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Your physiotherapist will assess contributing factors such as posture, movement patterns, workload, training habits, and lifestyle influences, then develop a targeted management plan. This may include therapeutic exercise, hands-on treatment, and guidance to optimise everyday movement and performance.

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Evidence-guided physiotherapy treatments may include:

• Individualised exercise prescription

• Manual therapy and joint mobilisation

• Trigger point therapy and myofascial release

• Dry needling

• Postural and ergonomic education

• Load management and injury prevention strategies
   

Common conditions treated include:

• Neck pain and stiffness

• Headaches and cervicogenic pain

• Shoulder pain (bursitis, impingement, tendinopathies)

• Elbow, wrist and hand pain (tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, instability)

• Back and spinal pain (postural pain, reduced mobility, disc and facet-related issues)

• Hip pain (arthritis, bursitis, impingement, tendinopathies)

• Knee pain (arthritis, running-related pain, meniscal and ligament injuries)

• Ankle pain and instability (ligament injury, arthritis, impingement)

• Foot pain and dysfunction (plantar fasciitis, flat feet)
   

Physiotherapy is widely recognised as a first-line, conservative treatment approach and has been shown to reduce reliance on medication and the need for surgical intervention.
 

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Acupuncture
 

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Acupuncture is delivered by highly trained, university-educated practitioners who are registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). In Australia, the titles “Acupuncturist” and “Chinese Medicine Practitioner” are legally protected, ensuring a high standard of education, safety, and clinical competence.

While some healthcare professionals may offer acupuncture techniques, only registered Acupuncturists have completed comprehensive training in Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnostics and treatment principles.
 

What is TCM Acupuncture?
 

TCM Acupuncture is a holistic medical system with a history spanning thousands of years. Treatment involves the insertion of ultra-fine, sterile needles (approximately 0.18–0.30 mm in diameter) into specific points on the body known as acupoints. These points are selected to support healing, regulate body systems, and restore balance.

Acupuncture is often delivered alongside complementary strategies such as dietary guidance, lifestyle modification, therapeutic exercise, massage, and—where appropriate—herbal medicine.

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TCM Diagnosis and Approach
 

A defining feature of TCM Acupuncture is its detailed diagnostic framework. Treatment is guided by an in-depth assessment that considers both physical symptoms and broader aspects of health, including:

• Sleep quality and energy levels

• Digestion and hydration

• Emotional wellbeing and stress

• Diet and food preferences

• Pain patterns and movement
   

Physical assessment may also include observation of posture, skin tone, voice, pulse characteristics, and tongue appearance. This comprehensive approach allows treatment to be precisely tailored to the individual rather than the condition alone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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          Fire Cupping

Fire cupping is an ancient Traditional Chinese Medicine technique where a practitioner heats the air inside a glass cup with a flame, then places it on the skin to create suction, pulling skin and tissue upward to relieve pain, promote blood flow, and loosen fascia by creating negative pressure, similar to deep massage but pulling outwards. It uses glass cups and a flame (often from a cotton ball soaked in alcohol) to create a vacuum as the heated air cools and shrinks, drawing skin into the cup, often leaving temporary reddish circles that aren't bruises but show increased circulation. ​​
 

How Acupuncture Works (Modern Scientific Perspective)
 

While traditionally described as regulating the flow of Qi (pronounced “chee”) through meridian pathways, modern research has identified several physiological mechanisms associated with acupuncture, including:
 

• Improved local blood flow (vasodilation)

• Mechanical effects on connective tissue

• Modulation of the autonomic nervous system (heart rate, digestion, respiration)

• Release of endorphins and other neurochemicals

• Central nervous system effects, with functional MRI studies demonstrating activation of specific brain regions following acupoint stimulation.

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"GuaSha": Traditional technique used to decrease pain and increase movement
 

Gua (刮): Means "to scrape" or "to rub".

Sha (痧): Refers to the temporary reddish, rash-like spots (petechiae) that appear on the skin's surface as a result of the treatment. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, these marks are believed to be a sign that stagnant blood and energy (qi) or "toxins" are being released from the body. 

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The practice is a traditional East Asian healing technique that involves using a smooth-edged tool (such as a jade stone, a ceramic spoon, or a coin) to apply pressured strokes to lubricated skin. In English, it is often referred to as "scraping therapy," "coining," or "spooning". 

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Conditions Supported by Acupuncture
 

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recognises acupuncture as an effective treatment for over 100 conditions based on scientific evidence. Conditions commonly treated at PhysMed include:

• Headache and migraine

• Neck and low back pain

• Knee pain and shoulder conditions

• Sciatica

• Tennis elbow

• Post-operative pain

• Nausea and vomiting

• Morning sickness

• Hypertension

• Depression and stress-related disorders

• Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
   

Safety of Acupuncture

Acupuncture is considered a safe and low-risk treatment when performed by a registered practitioner. Serious adverse effects are extremely rare, and all treatments at PhysMed adhere to strict infection control and safety standards.

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