What to expect (FAQs)
What can I expect from a session?
Your first appointment begins with a detailed discussion about your health, symptoms, medical history and goals. This helps me understand how your current concerns fit into the bigger picture of your health. If acupuncture is appropriate, treatment is usually provided during this appointment. We may also discuss Chinese herbal medicine, lifestyle factors, or any other recommendations that are relevant to your situation.
What should I wear to my appointment?
There's no need to wear anything special. Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing is ideal, but most everyday clothing works well. Acupuncture points are commonly located on the arms, legs, abdomen and back. Depending on the areas being treated, you may be asked to roll up sleeves or pant legs, or you'll be given privacy to change or uncover only the area that's needed. Your comfort and privacy are always respected throughout treatment.
Is acupuncture painful?
Acupuncture needles are extremely fine and are quite different from needles used for injections or blood tests. Most people find treatment very comfortable. You may feel a brief sensation as a needle is inserted, followed by feelings such as warmth, heaviness, tingling or dull aching. These sensations are normal and often settle quickly.
How many acupuncture sessions will I need?
This depends on your individual circumstances, including how long you've had the condition, your overall health, and what you're hoping to achieve. Some people notice changes within a few treatments, while longer-standing or more complex conditions usually benefit from a course of care. We'll review your progress regularly and adjust your treatment plan as your body responds.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a form of Chinese medicine that involves the insertion of very fine, sterile needles at specific points on the body. In clinical practice, acupuncture is used to influence how systems in the body function and interact. It is commonly used to support regulation, circulation, pain, recovery, and aspects of hormonal and nervous system health.
How does acupuncture work?
From a Chinese medicine perspective, acupuncture works by influencing patterns in the body and supporting how different systems communicate and coordinate with one another. From a biomedical perspective, research suggests acupuncture can affect the nervous system, circulation, connective tissue, and the release of neurochemicals involved in pain modulation and regulation.
Where do the needles go?
Acupuncture needles are placed at specific acupuncture points on the body, depending on what is being treated. This may include areas such as the arms, legs, abdomen, back, or face. Not all points are used at every session, and treatment is tailored each time based on your presentation.
Can acupuncture be used alongside other medical treatments?
Yes. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are often used alongside other medical or allied health care. This may include working alongside your GP, fertility treatments, or other therapies where appropriate. Care is approached collaboratively and with your broader health context in mind..
Is acupuncture covered by private health insurance?
In Australia, many private health insurers provide rebates for acupuncture and Chinese medicine. Coverage varies between providers and levels of cover, so it’s best to check directly with your insurer.
What is Chinese herbal medicine?
Chinese herbal medicine is a core component of Chinese medicine that uses specific combinations of herbs to support regulation of pathological patterns in the body. Formulas are selected and adjusted based on individual presentation, rather than prescribed for a single symptom or diagnosis. Herbal medicine is often used alongside acupuncture, or on its own where appropriate.
About herbal dispensing & quality
Herbal medicine prescriptions are dispensed via a professional external dispensary that operates within Australian regulatory and quality standards. This allows for appropriate sourcing, quality control, and dispensing processes, and ensures that herbal medicine is prescribed and supplied in a way that prioritises safety and accountability.
About evidence & research into acupuncture
There is a growing body of research examining acupuncture across a range of conditions, including pain, headaches and migraine, nausea and vomiting, mental health and stress, osteoarthritis, chronic health conditions, and aspects of reproductive health. As with many areas of healthcare, evidence continues to evolve. In clinical practice, research evidence is considered alongside practitioner expertise and individual response to care.