Acupuncture is part of the ancient practice of Traditional Chinese medicine where single-use, hair-thin stainless steel needles are inserted into the body.
There are more than 2000 acupuncture points connected by pathways or meridians containing the natural healing energy known as Qi. Inserting needles into specific points will help re-balance the yin and yang of the body (from a Chinese medicine perspective) and may boost the body’s natural painkillers (modern medicine perspective).
Reasons why you might like to try Acupuncture
- Pain management
- Stress and anxiety
- Sleep and energy issues
- Digestive problems
- Woman’s health – menstrual issues, fertility, IVF assistance and menopause
What to Expect in the Initial Consultation
The initial consultation will take approximately 1 hour, where the Acupuncturist will take a detailed history of relevant past and current concerns. Additional questions regarding all things sleep, energy, stress, moods, appetite, bowel movement, general circulation in the extremities, and for women, the menstrual cycle, will also be discussed. Based on the history, a Chinese medicine diagnosis is explained in simple terms along with the general principles of Yin and Yang theory and the general functions of the Liver, Kidney and Digestive system in regards to Chinese medicine.
Treatment is always given as part of the initial consultation which itself takes around 25 minutes. On average, 12 acupuncture needles are used each session (and no, it doesn’t hurt – just let the practitioner know if you’re a tad nervous about needles as breathing techniques can be used to help). Chinese massage or cupping isn’t often used at the initial consult due to time constraints; however, they are used for 5-10 minutes at follow-up sessions if needed/requested. A brief discussion of Chinese Diet therapy may be included if necessary or if the client is particularly interested in this modality.
Frequency of Treatment
Following an initial consultation, weekly acupuncture sessions are recommended for 3-4 consecutive weeks. After this time, a fortnight break from treatment will often follow to help understand the client’s response to the treatment and the general stubbornness of symptoms. After this pause from treatment, review appointments (usually 45 minutes) may vary from fortnightly to monthly or six weekly, depending on how the client responds to Acupuncture.
After Treatment
Remember to keep hydrated after the session. Not participating in overly exhaustive exercise that day (especially if you’re new to Acupuncture) is recommended as this may induce a dehydration-type headache. Headaches are rare but worth noting as some people are ‘very good responders’, so a gentle approach is a good way to start your acupuncture healing journey.
Our practitioners are registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and are members of the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA)
Acupuncture treatment rebates are available through most private health insurance funds. We support this and have HICAPS facilities to claim this rebate at the time of your appointment.