What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is one of the oldest healing practices in the world. It involves the stimulation of specific acupoints in the body to correct imbalances in the flow of Qi (pronounced "chee") or life energy flowing through the body's meridians.  While acupuncture is most commonly associated with the insertion of thin solid needles into the skin, skilled practitioners typically employ a range of additional techniques including moxibustion (the burning of herbs) and cupping (the placement of suction cups on the skin).

Does Acupuncture Hurt ?

Many people feel a small transient sting as the acupuncture needles are inserted.  Following an acupuncture session, some patients may experience minor side effects that are mild and self-correcting, such as light headache and occasional minor bruising.

What is the difference between acupuncture and dry needling ?

Both modalities involve the placing of needles at specific points in the body, BUT there are vast differences.  Acupuncturists study for a minimum of 4 years and are registered with the CMBA.  Acupuncture follows a holistic approach by balancing body, mind and spirit while dry needling focuses only on the affected area.

How will I know if my Acupuncturist has been property trained?

Consult a Registered Acupuncturist who is also accredited with the profession's peak national body, AACMA.  You can then rest assured you are accessing the best qualified practitioners who really know and understand acupuncture well.  Contact AACMA 1300 725334.

Does Acupuncture work?

Research has shown that acupuncture can be used with effectiveness in the treatment of a wide range of conditions, from musculo-skeletal and gastrointestinal issues to mental health, stress, reproductive and gynaecological concerns.  Acupuncture has been proved to effectively complement the treatment of conditions such as allergic rhinitis, knee osteoarthritis, headaches and chronic lower back pain.

Why should I try Acupuncture?

Acupuncture focuses on drug-free pain relief and can be effective in the treatment of a number of acute and chronic ailments.  It takes a holistic approach by addressing the underlying cause of the condition, as well as the symptoms.  Acupuncture focuses not only on ailments but assists in the prevention against disease and the maintenance of general well-being.

What happens in a typical consultation with an Acupuncturist or Chinese Medicine
Practitioner?

The hallmark of acupuncture practice is holistic individualised treatment.  At the initial consultation, practitioners will take a case history by interviewing the patient about their current health concerns, past health conditions and a range of related matters, including diet, lifestyle habits, sleeping patters, appetite, menstrual cycle, stress reactions and food and other sensitivities.

To further identify what are known in traditional Chinese medicine practice as 'patterns of disharmony' in the body, the practitioner will observe and note other health indicators such as the colour of the face, the condition of the tongue, the sound of the voice and the characteristics of the radial pulse of the wrist.

Your practitioner will discuss your treatment options with you before proceeding with the examination and treatment.

What goes into Chinese medicine?

There are more than 450 substances commonly used in Chinese herbal medicine - most are of plant origin though some animal and mineral substances may also be used.  Some substances that were used traditionally are no longer part of modern professional Chinese herbal medicine practice.  For example, traditional remedies with extracts of endangered species have been replaced by other substances with similar actions.  

Can I buy Chinese medicine at the chemist?

While there might be formulations at your chemist labelled as Chinese medicine, a qualified practitioner will never use a one-size-fits-all approach.  A qualified practitioner will prescribe Chinese herbal formula specifically formulated for your own condition.  The formula is also adjusted and modified during the recovery period until the desired health outcome is achieved.

Most diseases or illnesses present with a core set of recognisable signs and symptoms, but the actual presentation of a particular disease or illness may vary from person to person.  For this reason, people with similar health conditions may be provided with quite different Chinese herbal medicine prescriptions.