FAQ’s
Acupuncture is the insertion of very fine needles (usually thinner than human hair!) into the body, which creates some form of response and returns the body to a state of balance (or homeostasis). This type of treatment dates back thousands of years; first discovered and used in China. Whilst acupuncture is well known around the world for the treatment of conditions such as pain and fertility, the scope of this modality is vast and can be applied to a wide variety of conditions. Within this paradigm, other techniques are used too, including: gua-sha, moxibustion, acupressure, electro-acupuncture, cupping and auricular therapy.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) dates back thousands of years and has evolved through close observation of nature. It is a coherent and independent system of thinking, that considers the individual as a whole and assesses relationships and patterns to identify disharmonies. Traditional Chinese Medicine includes Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture and tuina (massage).
Chinese Medicine is generally considered to be safe but occasionally (as with all health treatments) may be associated with possible adverse reactions. Risks include soreness, infection, bruising, nerve damage, pneumothorax, or other organ damage. Acupuncture is regulated in Australia and we proudly uphold a strict code of conduct when it comes to considering, communicating and potentially dealing with any adverse outcomes.
Acupuncture is an incredibly precise and gentle treatment. It is our goal at all times to make sure that you are comfortable and in control of your body, so will always ask your permission before we treat you. There are different types of sensations that are felt once a needle is inserted, however pain is not what we are trying to achieve. People are often surprised by how relaxing the treatment is and often fall asleep. One of the fundamental principles of Chinese Medicine is that humans are part of nature and therefore are constantly changing with the ebb and flow of the day and cycles of the seasons. Every moment, every day, we feel different depending on multiple factors (such as the weather, our emotions and what we have eaten) and this is a part of life. On the day, if you are not up for needles we can always treat you using other techniques, such as heat therapy, cupping, gua-sha, auricular therapy and moxibustion.
Acupuncture uses the system of Chinese Medicine to form a diagnosis and treat an underlying cause or pattern of a condition. It is performed by a practitioner that is registered with the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia and has undergone university qualifications that involves extensive clinical supervision. Dry needling is a term given to ‘trigger point needling’, which involves the musculo-skeletal system. It is one of the techniques within the acupuncture paradigm that is used by other allied health therapists for localised pain. Dry needling usually involves a weekend course, whereas acupuncture is a 3 year (or more) University degree.
Acupuncture has been subject to thousands of clinical trials and much research over the years. There is plenty of evidence online that can help answer this question. Some good places to start reading about its efficacy, are the following articles:
The Acupuncture Evidence Project (McDonald & Janz, 2017). Click here
Acupuncture: An Overview of Scientific Evidence (Mel Hopper Koppelman). Click here