FAQ | Craigieburn Acupuncture

Frequently Asked Questions

Acupuncture

Does it hurt?

Acupuncture is a relaxing treatment. The needles are very thin and gently inserted into the body. The sensation that you may feel is a dull, heavy feeling that may travel between acupuncture points and along meridians. Occasionally you may feel a slight pinch when the needle pierces the skin however, it should never be uncomfortable or painful. The aim of treatment is that you relax.

How does it work?

Extremely fine needles are inserted into specific points in your body known as acupuncture points. These are connected to each other through meridians or pathways. Through these pathways they can perform different tasks in your body to bring it back into balance, restore Qi and blood or help move stagnation. When treating muscle pain, the needles are being used to restore muscle fibres, re-activate blood flow, and help send signals to the brain about pain.

How deep do the needles go?

The needles that are most often used are 30mm and 40mm. The needles are inserted 3/4 of the way most of the time however, I am looking for a sensation rather than how far I can insert the needle.

How long until I see results?

Of course, everyone is different. For acute conditions such as a fresh ankle sprain, you should see results within the first 2 weeks getting treatment twice a week. Other conditions that may be a bit more complicated can take a longer time to treat. I always recommend at least 4-6 weeks of weekly treatments followed by 2-3 months of fortnightly treatments for a total of at least 10 treatments.

How long do the needles stay in for?

Commonly an acupuncture session will last for 25-30 minutes depending on your condition.

How will I feel when I leave your office?

You will often feel very relaxed; this is the perfect time to do something productive for yourself such as going for a walk or doing something that pushes you towards your goals. Acupuncture treatments can be very uplifting and rewarding.

Do I have to do anything to prepare for acupuncture?

You just have to come with an open mind and be willing to let the needles work. There is nothing specific that you need to do in preparation for acupuncture.

Do I have to avoid anything afterwards?

No, there is nothing you must avoid after getting an acupuncture treatment. It is highly recommended that you stay out of the wind and wait until you have a shower as this can allow pathogens to enter the body. It is highly recommended that you go for a walk or do something productive after your treatment to make yourself feel energised.

What is the difference between acupuncture and dry needling?

There are similarities and differences between the two. Mainly, acupuncture is performed by highly trained professionals with at least 4 years’ worth of practice and dry needling can be taught to health care practitioners in a weekend professional development course. Acupuncture treatments are in depth about how your body works, the connections your body has with itself and trying to get your body back into balance. Dry needling inserts needles into trigger points where the pain is located. Acupuncturists will also use these trigger points or motor points to help reduce pain however, we are also trying to ensure that this problem is resolved. The exact same needles are used in both practices.

Is it safe?

Acupuncture performed by a highly trained professional is relatively safe. There are possible side-affects and outcomes that can occur due to the needling however, they are rare. There are certain areas on the body that caution, and protocol needs to be followed however, during education these were practiced regularly. If you have any concerns with the safety or protocols used during treatment, please raise them immediately so they can be addressed accordingly.

Do you re-use the needles?

All the needles I use are single use needles. I am governed by specific rules and regulations outlined by AHPRA and CMBA regarding health and safety.

I am pregnant. Can I still get acupuncture?

Yes, acupuncture is safe during through all stages of pregnancy from a qualified and trained acupuncturist. Can be helpful with morning sickness, nausea, back pain and later in gestation can help commence labour, promote lactation, or slow lactation down.

I have a common cold. Can I still come and get acupuncture?

Yes. This is the perfect time to get treatment for your common cold. Western Medicine does not have a whole lot to offer in terms of common colds however, acupuncture can help vent pathogens and assist your body to fight off the invasion.

Cupping

How does it work?

Fire cupping is the most commonly used cupping in my clinic. This is where I use a small flame to draw the oxygen out of the glass cup to create a suction with the skin. This process does not heat the cup up. When the cup is on the skin, it is separating the area of skin from the muscle to help break up fascia, allow fresh blood flow and relieve muscle tension.

Does it hurt?

You may feel slight tenderness; however, the cups should never be painful or uncomfortable. When applying the cups, I will always ask if they are on too tight or if they feel comfortable. Replacing the cup is quite easy and more beneficial than to sit through the pain of a too tight cup. I want you to relax during this time so that I can release muscle tension rather than you guard this area due to pain.

How long do the bruises last?

Typically, the cupping marks will last 3-5 days however, everyone is different.

Do you take blood from me?

No. I do dry cupping where no blood is released from the body. There are strict OH&S protocols that must be followed when doing blood cupping and the risk of cross contamination is too high.

How long do the effect last?

Cupping effects usually last roughly a week. After treatment, the area that has been cupped may feel tender to touch however, it is quite common to feel release directly after treatment. Similar to a deep tissue massage.

Are the cups clean?

Yes. Each cup is sterilised between patients and checked for any damage, cracks, or imperfections in the glass.

What happens if there is too much pressure?

If you feel like there is too much pressure in the cup causing a painful response, please let me know as soon as possible so I can remove the cup and re-apply if you are comfortable.

Traditional Herbal Medicine

Why do they taste so bad?

The herbs often taste unappealing due to them being all natural. They are the sticks, twigs, fruit, roots of the plants that they come from. They have minimal manufacturing going into them and are mostly used in their most natural form. It is often said however, that your body will appreciate the taste of the herbs that you need the most.

Are there any side-effects I should know about?

It is common to feel slight discomfort in the abdomen for the first few days of taking your herbs. It is also common to have some changes in the stools during this time, however, if there are any major side-affects from taking the herbs it is my advice that you stop taking them immediately and contact the practitioner that prescribed them to discuss what has happened.

Can I take my prescription medicine whilst I am taking Chinese Medicine?

Yes. During your consultation and when administering the herbs, I will ask about the medication that you are currently taking. It is highly unlikely that there will be any interaction however, I do ask that you take TCM 2 hours apart from Western Medicine.

Do you use any endangered species or exotic animals such as rhino horns and elephant tusks?

No. There are plenty of replacements for all kinds of herbs. I must follow a strict CITES and SCHEDULED list that outlines all the herbal medicine that can not be administered in Australia. If you are vegan or vegetarian, I will also ensure that no animal products are used.

Is everything TGA approved?

All herbal medicine entering Australia and those that are grown in Australia must follow TGA approval guidelines before they are able to sold to the public.

How do I take the herbs?

The herbal medicine that I administer most commonly is taken like instant coffee. It comes as a powder and you mix a certain number of teaspoons of herbs with boiling hot water, dissolve, and drink. There is another form of herbal medicine that are little black pills which you can take. The different forms of herbs will be explained to you during the treatment as they have different costs and different actions.

How long do I have to wait to feel the affects of the herbs?

Everyone is slightly different, and each condition is different. Depending on how chronic or acute the condition is you may have to take the herbal medicine for a different amount of time. For common colds it is typical that you would take the herbs for 5 days. For something more complex such as menopausal hot flashes it could be 3-6 months.

How do you know what herbal medicine I need?

Each herbal prescription is made up specifically for the patient. Everyone has different needs and has different patterns so therefore; I like to keep the prescriptions very personal. Of course, there are classical formulas for certain conditions, these are still used and modified to suit you and your needs.