Inspired by Acupuncture to Help Others Create Better Wellbeing

By Shanelle Schick

Meet Mela Apps from Cultivate Health Accupuncture

Around 10 years ago, Melea Apps of Cultivate Health Acupuncture realised that she needed to seek support on her journey. Thus began the exploration of many modalities to help her find peace within her nervous system.

Having tried and tested many different things, Melea found peace in yoga and acupuncture. Finding herself working at a health food shop in Mullumbimby that was the heart of the community, being held by naturopaths, acupuncturists, local organic produce/meals and likeminded people. It was this experience that inspired her to start studying a Naturopathy degree which then shifted as her heart called her towards Chinese Medicine.

Melea loves working with people who are ready to create change in their lives. “I believe that good health and vitality are the foundation for balance and happiness, and often takes a holistic approach to achieve”. She goes on to say that it is a privilege for her to support people on this journey.

One of her biggest values in life is Truth and it is her personal mission to become the most authentic version of herself and to be able to share that with the world.

Healing at the root level is something that truly inspires Melea and is the reason why she is currently undertaking the professional Compassionate Inquiry course. A firm believer that our minds, thoughts, and traumas can create physical ill-health and that these must be addressed in addition to the bodywork. She quotes nature as being her constant and greatest teacher and loves how Chinese medicine philosophies confirm this for her.

During an initial acupuncture session with Melea, there is time to chat about your whole health history, followed by the body work which will include acupuncture, massage and moxibustion, cupping, gua sha and electroacupuncture depending on the individual’s treatment plan. Individualised dietary and lifestyle advice also form part of the session.

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can be used to effectively treat a wide range of ailments. Melea invites you to contact her to discuss your personal health needs and to see if she may be of assistance.

Community acupuncture is another wonderful offering that Melea has brought to us here on the Capricorn Coast. It’s a way of creating more accessibility for community members. This is offered fortnightly on Mondays at the Queen Street Hall 4 people an hour are treated for an exchange of $25 Melea will put the needles in and then allow you to rest and relax for 30 – 45 minutes. To find out more about these sessions, Melea invites you to join her Facebook page to keep up to date and book in for community acupuncture.

This offering was inspired by her own experience in Cambodia in 2012 in a shared space on yoga mats at a meditation retreat She also frequented the sessions held at the health food shop she worked at in Mullumbimby. At the end of her studies, Melea volunteered in Brisbane with Inclusive Health for 3 months, helping and learning from Kristen, the incredible acupuncturist and woman who started the community health clinic that supports many people in need.

Melea can be contacted through her website www.letscultivatehealth.com or via her social media pages

@cultivate.health.acupuncture