FAQ

Does Acupuncture Hurt?

The short answer is “no”. It’s actually quite nice!

Ideally acupuncture shouldn’t hurt, although it can elicit a slight nerve sensation which some clients call pain. It’s really a subjective experience. Most often sensations will vary for person to person but we will make sure that you understand the different experiences that you may have.

What should I bring?

We advise that you bring comfortable clothing so you can relax during the treatment as much as possible. Bring any diagnostic images (if applicable) as well as any other documents that may be useful to maximize a targeted treatment. Be sure to bring any health insurance cards to claim your rebates as well as eftpos cards or cash for payment.

How long does a treatment take?

A typical treatment will last 50 mins. This includes consultation, acupuncture and Chinese Herbal prescription and preparation.

How often do I need to come?

Acupuncture works best when it is done often and regularly for severe acute (stroke) and chronic conditions (arthritis). This is clearly not the case for everyone and clients will be assessed on an individual basis and informed about the options for the most effective treatment course. Traditionally 10 treatments are done for a large majority of chronic conditions. One of the reasons we are so affordable is to accommodate this repetitive treatment protocol to achieve maximum success for our clients.

Will I receive a Health Fund rebate

Most major health funds will rebate you for your Acupuncture treatments. If yours doesn’t, that’s a good reason to change!

Why do you put a needle in my leg to treat my arm or my arm to treat my leg?

Acupuncture is performed on the meridian and channels systems of the body, which are as old as recorded history can recall. These systems intersect all the aspects of the body and various locations can affect normal physiology by simply working on these systems.

How to cook your herbs?

Every forula is different so make sure you look at your instruction form carefully as it will be specific to the formula you are given.

Below is a general outline for most formulas to give you an idea

Step 1

Take the herbs out of one bag and place it in a pot with 1400 ml of clean water. (the pot should be stainless steel, glass or ceramic NOT aluminum or cast iron)
There should be enough water to cover the herbs by around 1 ½ inches.
Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to simmer.
Simmer until 600 ml remain (around 60 minutes)
Remove from heat and strain herbal liquid into a suitable container (eg: glass)

Step 2

Return previously boiled herbs back into the pot and repeat Step 1.
Strain herbal liquids together in the same container (this way you will have one strong and one weak decoction – together they will be balanced)

Step 3

Drink 80 ml 2 / 3 times daily at least 30 mins -1 hour before / after meals (note: dosage varies for each client, this is a safe dose for most formulas)

Important note : Herbs should NOT be taken within 2 hours of any other prescribed medications. If you become unwell during the treatment discontinue herbs and contact me. If you have any further questions/queries please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Is there any way I can make the herbs taste better?

You may place some honey or raw sugar to taste. This is not advisable as it can alter the nature of the formula and therefore the therapeutic effect to a minor degree.

It has been known that the herbs are not the most pleasant tasting, but you might be surprised that the tastes will change during the course of taking them (or not).

Let us know if you can/t take them and we will work with you to find a solution, there always is one.

How Does Chinese Medicine Work?

It works by observation of natural processes in the world. When we see something that is angry we know it is dangerous, when we smell something that is off we avoid it, when we hear something that is loud we cover our ears and the list goes on and on.

In this same way historically all the factors that affect the body, mind and spirit have been observed and understood by physicians of Chinese Medicine. They have taken these experiences and then observed various treatment strategies and there effects.

Some say that it is the thousands of years of trail and error that lead the ancients to this point but this is not true. When we simply observe the natural processes in our environment with a careful awareness we realize that by moving with this natural force will surely result in success and never failure.

Is there anything at all you can not treat?

We are part of a very ancient tradition, if we can’t treat it we will ask our master’s, if our teacher doesn’t know he will ask his master’s until we find an answer.

We will never cease from the exploration and the end of all our exploring, we will return to the place that we started and know the place for the first time.
– T.S. Elliott