Dr. Meredith O’Loughlan (TCM) is a registered acupuncturist, Chinese medical herbalist, Nutritional & Functional Medicine practitioner, counsellor and researcher.
Meredith has a well developed, working understanding and appreciation of the body, illness and disease and how to support individuals to restore and maintain their bodies to participate fully in life. Meredith has been a private practitioner for 20 years.
Having studied at RMIT University (5 years) with strong emphasis on Western medical Sciences. She then completed a Master of Applied Science in Pharmacology on properties of a Chinese herb, Salvia miltiorrhiza (dan shen), used in women’s health, and a study on herb-drug interactions. Further postgraduate studies in Nutrition and Environmental medicine (ACNEM) with focus on digestive and immune system disease.
Initial studies and practice in Social Work, and provides mind-body counselling. Meredith was previously the Senior IVF counsellor for Ballarat IVF for the past 8 years until finishing in 2020.
An active member of the community providing talks for the general public and health care practitioners on Chinese medicine, acupuncture and the possible role of food as medicine for prevention and better disease management. Meredith was born and raised in Ballarat and enjoys working and being a part of the Ballarat community. A full-time mother of two busy children, practicing part-time and enjoys learning mandarin, meditation and playing violin.
Meredith has special interest in working with various autoimmune disease conditions, including Multiple Sclerosis and thyroid issues, various kinds of digestive complaints including Inflammatory Bowel Disease and conditions including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia.
Meredith’s story....
Two years ago I had a MRI scan that showed there were 10 lesions on my brain consistent with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). By using an injectable contrast dye, all lesions were found to be `non-active’, indicating that my symptoms for the past 18 years prior had been due to MS. At the time I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia with Increased Intestinal Permeability otherwise known as Leaky Gut, Small Intestinal Bowel Overgrowth (SIBO), multiple food sensitivities, nutritional deficiencies and various toxicities. The diagnosis of MS provided clarity, however was received with mixed emotion. My symptoms throughout have been completely debilitating for periods of years on end, and as a result turned my life completely upside down. I have always worked consistently and passionately to re-establish and maintain my health as best I could and now appreciate what it means to treat disease and create health.
At age 16, I experienced painful acid reflux and severe bloating. I then commenced medication at age 21 and was advised it was safe to take long-term. With significant, persistent digestive issues by age 27, I then decided to have surgery to address the problem. Following the surgery, my gut symptoms were still present, though modified, so the surgery was again repeated six weeks after. The impact of the double surgery left my body and immune system in shock. Shortly after, I was barely able to move my arms and legs due to extreme debilitating fatigue. I found myself largely bed bound for the next 8 years, on and off. During this time, my passion for Chinese medicine was always present and I was always driven to complete my studies. I would enrol in subjects however find myself having to continually withdraw over the many years; hence I am still repaying my HECS debt as I write! The simplest of tasks were extremely difficult and the whole experience completely debilitating.
During the time that followed the surgery, I sought opinion and advice from various doctors and specialists including a rheumatologist as I had inflammatory arthritis throughout my body. My vision was rapidly diminishing, numbness from the elbows and knees down, constant internal shaking, balance and mobility issues along with various other health issues.
It was suggested I see a neurologist as MS was suspected. I was terrified by the thought. My mother had a lumbar puncture when she was 19 years of age due to what they thought was a touch of polio. So, from a young age I had heard and recounted this story many times as to how excruciating the procedure was and that my mother’s head blew up to the size of an elephant because of it! My mother’s lumbar puncture was performed without anesthesia as that was standard practice in those days. My mother endured significant side effects from the procedure at the time. I made an appointment to see a neurologist, however petrified as I was told the only option to determine MS would be to have a lumbar puncture! MRI’s were not available to the general public in the late 1990’s.
Two days prior to the appointment I had made with the neurologist, I vividly remember I was able to get an appointment with a GP practicing nutritional medicine. I cancelled the neurologist appointment and placed all my hope in finding a possible answers, and an alternative to the possibility of MS. I was always adamant that my digestive issues and neurological issues were closely related as my symptoms began as severe digestive complaints that further developed and alternated to largely neurological symptoms.
The Nutritional Medicine GP completed a series of many tests including Intestinal Permeability (aka Leaky Gut Test), Digestive Stool Analysis, Functional Liver Tests, Mercury Toxicity, Hair Analysis – all coming back with significant findings. The GP was unsure if I had MS and suggested we commence treatment to address the mal-absorption as I had tested positive for SIBO, Leaky Gut, liver dysfunction (phase 1 & 2) with multiple food sensitivities, nutritional deficiencies and toxicities.
Over the past 20 years I have learnt to live entirely by reading and understanding what my body tells me, then treat signs and symptoms accordingly, the Chinese way. Being a Chinese medicine practitioner, this made sense to me and has supported me to maintain my health to where it is today.
The experience has provided me with deep insight and how to support the body well. It has provided me with an understanding of mind body connection, how they directly influence each other and how we can use this to our greatest advantage. It has also provided me with experience of how to integrate safely, the use of Chinese herbal medicines and nutritional medicines in practice.
Clinical experience
Integrative Complementary Medicine Practitioner: 2005-current
Ballarat IVF Counsellor: 2011-2020
Monash Medical Centre/ The Northern Hospital: Social Work: Oncology & Palliative Care and Obstetrics & Gynecology, ED/ ICU/CCU: 1990-2005
The Northern Hospital: Acupuncture (Emergency Department):1998-1999
Qualifications
Master of Applied Science (Pharmacology) (RMIT): 2009 - 2012 (RMIT Scholarship)
ACNEM (Nutritional Medicine) (Primary Course) (Melbourne): 2006
Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Biology)/ Bachelor of Applied Science (Chinese Medicine) (RMIT): 1999 - 2005
Bachelor of Social Work (VUT): 1994-1996
Bachelor of Arts (Ballarat University): 1992 - 1994
Publications
Davidson, M. Smith, R. Dodd, K. Smith, J. 2008. Interprofessional pre-qualification clinical education: a systematic review. Australian Health Review: a publication of the Australian Hospital Association.
Zheng, Z. Bai, L. O’Loughlan, M. Li, CG, Xue, C. 2019. Does electroacupuncture have different effects of peripheral and central sensitization in humans: A randomised controlled study. Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience.
Professional Registration & Membership
AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency)
AACMA (Australian Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Association)
AASW (Australian Association of Social Workers)
ACNEM (Australasian College of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine)
FSA (Fertility Society of Australia)
Course/ Conferences
J Dispenza - Advanced Retreat: Sunshine Coast 2023
Introduction to scalp acupuncture in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (Prof. Jian Jun Wang): Melbourne 2020
J Dispenza - Advanced Retreat: Malta 2019
Scalp Acupuncture (Dr Zhu Training): Melbourne 2019
VIPASSANA Art of Living 10-day Silent Meditation Course: 2018
Medical Hypnosis (Dr Alan Fahey): 2017
Drug-Herb Interactions and Chinese Medicine (China Med): 2013
Mood Disorders in Chinese Medicine: Depression/ Anxiety (Tony Reid): 2011
Working With It: Managing Anxiety & Depression (Bev Aisbett): 2011
Chinese Medicine & IVF (Kathryn Taylor): 2011
Pregnancy, Maternity & Beyond (Tabitha McIntosh): 2010
Immunotherapy (Michael Ash: Bioceuticals): 2008
Dousing the flames: (Michael Ash: Bioceuticals): 2006
All Diseases Begin in the Gut (Michael Ash: Bioceuticals): 2005
Yarra Yalley Living Centre (Ian Gawler) 5 Day Retreat 2001
Losang Dragpa Centre (Silent meditation & the breath (Wales, England):1995
MEDIA: (Body&Soul) May 2021News.com.au