Acupuncture

Stimulate and boost your energy

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a key component of Chinese medicine, a system of healing that has been practiced for thousands of years. It involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the skin to treat various health conditions and illnesses. Acupuncture is recognized and regulated under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) since July 1, 2012.

Originating in ancient China, acupuncture is one of the oldest continuous healthcare systems. It adopts a holistic approach, focusing on the balance between the body, mind, and environment, and emphasizes disease prevention and overall wellness.

Since the 1960s, scientific research into acupuncture has expanded globally, with studies conducted in China and many other countries. While more research is needed to fully understand how acupuncture works and the role of meridians, there is an increasing body of evidence indicating that acupuncture is both safe and effective for managing a variety of conditions.

What Types of Acupuncture Are Commonly Used?

In our clinic, we offer several types of acupuncture, including needling acupuncture, electroacupuncture, scalp acupuncture, and ear acupuncture. Our practitioner will discuss these methods with you and tailor the treatment based on your specific condition and needs.

Needling Acupuncture: This method involves the insertion of pre-sterilized, disposable needles, often using guide tubes for precision.
Electroacupuncture: This technique involves applying a small electrical current to the needles to enhance the effects of traditional acupuncture.
Scalp Acupuncture: This form targets specific points on the scalp to address neurological and cognitive issues.
Ear Acupuncture: This approach focuses on points on the ear and is often used to manage pain, stress, and addiction.

We adhere strictly to the “Guidelines on Infection Prevention and Control for Acupuncture and Related Practices” (Chinese Medicine Board of Australia, 2023) to ensure the highest standards of safety and hygiene in our treatments.

How is Acupuncture Performed?

The acupuncture procedure generally involves the following steps:

Preparation: You will either sit or lie down, depending on the location of the treatment. The area of your skin where the acupuncture will be applied will be exposed.
Positioning: You should be able to maintain a comfortable position for approximately 15-30 minutes.
Site Preparation: The practitioner will locate and clean the acupuncture sites on your skin.
Needle Insertion: Needles are then inserted into specific acupuncture points on the body. Depending on your condition, the practitioner may use between 5 and 10 needles.
Adjustment: During the needling process, the practitioner may ask about your comfort level to adjust the intensity of the acupuncture if necessary.
Stimulation: The practitioner may manipulate the needles to stimulate the acupuncture points. This technique is part of the acupuncture process.
Duration: The needles are usually left in place for 15-30 minutes, depending on your condition. For children, needle retention is typically not used.
Completion: After the treatment, the practitioner will remove the needles and apply gentle pressure with cotton balls on the acupuncture sites to prevent or stop any bleeding.

What Do You Feel During Your Acupuncture?

Properly done, acupuncture should not let you feel sharp pain because the needles are very fine (around 0.2mm diameter). When the needles are inserted, you may feel mild tingling or heaviness around the sites. Sometimes a mild electric or warm feeling around the acupuncture points may occur. These feelings are normal and expected to stimulate the acupuncture points to carry out a therapeutic action. If you feel sharp or really uncomfortable, you should immediately ask your practitioner to reduce the acupuncture intensity.

After a session of acupuncture, you will normally feel relaxed and refreshed, but specific responses depend on the individuals. Occasionally, the symptoms may get a little worse before they improve. The number of acupuncture treatments you need depends on your condition. In most cases, people experience a reduction in symptoms within a few sessions.

What Conditions Are Commonly Treated By Acupuncture?

We have primary experience on managing the following conditions:

Supportive care of cancers including breast cancer, prostate cancer, bowel cancer, lung cancer, melanoma etc.
Immune disorders: asthma, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis etc.
Mental and neurological disorders: such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, anxiety, insomnia, tension headache, migraine, chronic fatigue syndrome etc.
Musculoskeletal disorders: such as joint pain or muscle aches.
Women health: premenstrual syndrome, period pain, menopause, chronic urinary tract infection, urinary incontinence etc.
Others: overweight and obesity

What Are The Health Risks That May Be Associated With Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is generally considered safe when performed by a qualified and experienced practitioner. Improperly performed acupuncture can cause potentially serious adverse effects or risk, for examples:

Sharp pain: tiny pain or tingling is usually present, but sharp pain during insertion is due to clumsy technique or blunt needles. It may also occur in highly sensitive clients.
Injury to the skin: clumsy insertion or entry of a needle into a blood vessel, can cause bleeding, bruising and pain.

It is important to note that the following situations are contraindicated with acupuncture, and you must report to our practitioner clearly before acupuncture:

Medical emergencies and surgical conditions.
Pregnant women over the abdominal or sacral areas.
Infected or scarred area of the body.

Bleeding disorder such as haemophilia or use of strong blood thinners.
A seizure disorder with frequent attacks.
Client who is famished or have overeaten.
Over fatigued, frail and weak.

Note: This information is NOT intended to replace medical advice. Any questions regarding a medical diagnosis or treatment should be directed to a medical or health care practitioner.