Acupuncture

Fine, sterile & once-use needles are inserted into acupoints to augment Qi and Blood flow to meridians & local areas, to achieve energy balance, remove blockage, & to stimulate/target specific organs to help improve their function. Needles may be stimulated manually or by electro-machine.

Tuina (Traditional Chinese Remedial Massage)

Works on muscles, ligaments, tendons & soft tissue; targets acupoints for stimulation; smooths Qi and Blood flow in meridians & body areas. Assisted/prescribed stretches may be given as needed.

Cupping

Safe fire cupping with special glass cups to improve Qi & Blood flow & draw out toxins in targeted areas. A good auxiliary technique to help improve acupuncture & Tuina treatments. Sliding cupping can reduce muscle tension & cold/flu symptoms.

Cupping may leave reddish-purple, slight-strong marks depending on the degree of stagnation/toxins present. These marks are not bruises & are not painful when pressed. Lighter marks may fade within hours, stronger marks may last about a week.

Chinese Patent Herbal Formulae

Herbal medicine may be prescribed as needed from the Black Pearl range (TGA approved; vegetarian). Black Pearl pills are processed herbs in concentrated pill-form & sold for $17/bottle; each bottle lasts approximately 1-2 weeks when taken as prescribed.

Moxibustion

Moxa sticks may be purchased for $2/stick for a few weeks of at-home use if needed; instruction provided during consultation. Moxibustion is the burning of Moxa (Chinese mugwort) over the skin or held close to the skin in order to transmit therapeutic effects of the herb via heat over an area or acupoint/meridian. Therapeutic effects are antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, warming, Qi-tonifying & pain-relieving. Moxibustion can stimulate acupoints/meridians when held over them for around 3-5 minutes.

Moxibustion will create smoke; the smell of burning moxa lingers for a few hours (depending on extent of use) & it is not recommended to be performed in a closed room without smoke extraction/ventilation. Indirect/incidental inhaling of moxa smoke is not harmful to most adults. It is not recommended for asthmatics or people with smoke-sensitivities.

Guasha

Use of a jade scraping tool with body oil or medical liniments to improve Qi & Blood flow & draw out toxins in targeted areas & meridians.

Depending on the degree of stagnation/toxins, Guasha may leave marks similar to cupping.

“Is acupuncture painful?”

Acupuncture is not usually painful; upon needle insertion, one may sometimes feel a slight prick lasting under a second. When needles are stimulated to elicit Deqi (Qi arriving to the point), one may feel one of the following sensations at the local point: heaviness, pressure, tingling, dull soreness, or a grasping sensation around the needle. These sensations may initially feel strange but are not uncomfortable throughout the treatment. Clients often end up relaxing into the treatment after initial sensations subside.

“Are there side-effects to acupuncture?”

The most common side-effects include drowsiness post-treatment, due to the relaxing aspect of treatment (clients sometimes fall asleep during treatment - bonus nap!) Occasionally, small local bruising no bigger than a 5 cent piece may occur at needle insertion sites. Certain acupoints which elicit a strong Deqi sensation may experience needle-retention sensation (feeling that the needle is still present after removal), this sensation generally dissipates after some minutes.

Sometimes in treating severe musculoskeletal conditions, treated areas may feel sore post-treatment for up to a day; after which the beneficial treatment effects should become evident.

“Are there drug-interactions I need to worry about?”

Acupuncture has no drug-interactions, although clients on strong blood thinners or with severe bleeding disorders should avoid acupuncture. Herbal medications will also be prescribed accordingly to avoid any potential interactions.