Patients should eat something small one hour before coming for an acupuncture treatment and should wear comfortable clothes. Try not to have coffee then or artificially coloured foods. You should be prepared to refrain from rigorous exercise for at least two hours before and after treatment. Please do not brush your tongue on the morning of your treatment.

Your first treatment is approximately 60mins and involves an initial consultation in which a diagnosis is made and we determine which TCM treatments are right for you. After the initial consultation, we generally move right into a first treatment during the same visit. Follow-up visits consist of a much shorter intake/diagnosis period before treatment, and generally last for 40 mins.

The increasing prevalence of the term ‘dry needling’ has created some confusion. Qualified Acupuncturists study for 5 years full time to gain a degree in Acupuncture. A dry needling training program often runs for just two or three days – which is just enough time for people to gain a rudimentary understanding of how to ‘needle the point that hurts’ and perhaps deliver short-term symptom relief.

For more information from AACMA (Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association) on the safety concerns of ‘Dry Needling’ please click here

I will ask a variety of questions regarding your specific complaint and general health.  I will use Traditional Chinese diagnostic methods including radial pulse reading and tongue diagnosis.  The initial consultation includes a standard health history not unlike at a medical doctor’s office.  Whatever first treatment is appropriate will be done immediately following the initial consultation.

To save time when you come in for your appointment, you can download the paperwork now from our bookings page. Simply download the document, fill it in, save it, and email back to us, alternatively, you can fill in the form, print it and bring it with you to your appointment.

Most people are surprised and relieved to learn that acupuncture needles are very thin—unlike hypodermic needles which are thick and hollow.  Acupuncturists can attain a high level of skill in gently placing these tiny needles and often the insertion is barely perceptible.  The needles are usually inserted only several millimeters in depth—also very unlike hypodermic injections. As such, patients generally do not feel the painful piercing or pricking sensation typically associated with an injection, blood sample, or other medical needle procedure. Only single application disposable needles are used.

During acupuncture, full attention will be given to help you relax and receive the most value from the treatment.  After each needle is inserted, you may feel nothing, or sometimes a vague numbness, heaviness, or slight tingling.  However, the treatment is effective whether these feelings are sensed or not.  The needles will be left in for 20-30 minutes while you relax with soothing music in a warm room.  After the treatment, you may experience a relaxing euphoric feeling.