Frequently asked questions

Short answer - absolutely! Yes! Please do! Acupuncture is a complementary medicine and is generally safe to use in conjunction with Western treatments. Furthermore, acupuncture treatment will not interfere with any tests you are waiting to have carried out but might provide relief from problematic symptoms like pain, anxiety, nausea and sleeplessness. The waiting times for specialist care have extended to 6 months and beyond in some fields recently.

Acupuncture can provide the support you need as you navigate this process. In your initial consultation, we will discuss your health condition in detail to ensure that we are treating you in a way that will not interfere with your Western treatment or investigations. As AHPRA-registered healthcare providers, we can even stay in touch with your GP, psychologist, or treatment team if necessary.

This is different for everyone because we are all unique.

The factors influencing treatment include the severity and duration of the condition and your commitment (and ability) to make changes.

After your initial assessment, your practitioner will discuss a treatment timeline with you.

As a general guideline:

Musculoskeletal - three weekly treatments followed by three fortnightly treatments.

Chronic pain & internal conditions - weekly for 6-12 weeks, then fortnightly for 3-6 weeks (this is probably the most variable one and depends on your presentation.

Menstrual Health - weekly for 3 cycles, then fortnightly and transitioning to monthly maintenance.

Pregnancy - weekly during the first trimester, monthly until 35 weeks, then weekly from 36 weeks for labour preparation.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Ideally, a seperate top & bottom so I can easily access your abdomen (tummy area).

I recommended eating something about one hour before your appointment and being well-hydrated.

Please be sure to complete the pre-assessment intake form, which is emailed to you at the time of booking. This will allow us to focus more on you during the first session.

Both modalities involve placing needles at specific points in the body, but there are vast differences.

Dry needling, when performed by a properly trained practitioner, can be very useful in relieving musculoskeletal tension and promoting injury recovery. Unfortunately, dry needling is not regulated in Australia, so it might be difficult to determine how well-qualified (and therefore safe and effective) your practitioner is.

Acupuncturists study at a tertiary level for at least three years (often four years), with over 1,000 hours of supervised clinical practice, and are registered with the CMBA (AHPRA).

Acupuncture follows a holistic approach by balancing body, mind and spirit, while dry needling focuses only on the affected physical area.

Dry needling is (generally) characterised by deep needling into trigger points, often with a strong sensation. Acupuncture, on the other hand, is usually quite comfortable.

An acupuncturist will use language based on traditional principles & philosophy to explain how Acupuncture works. We might say that acupuncture promotes harmony between physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects or that we are restoring a balance between substances or enhancing the free flow of Qi through the channel system.

The beauty of modern practice is that these traditional explanations remain true while being enhanced by modern scientific understanding.

Although no one definitive explanation exists, numerous complementary theories coexist to create an answer to this question.

Head to our Journal Article to read more about the mechanisms & research.

The hallmark of acupuncture practice is holistic, individualised treatment.

At the initial consultation, your practitioner will take a comprehensive case history by asking you about your current health concerns, past health conditions and a range of related matters, including diet, lifestyle habits, sleeping patterns, appetite, menstrual cycle, stress reactions and food or other sensitivities.

To further identify what traditional Chinese medicine refers to as ‘patterns of disharmony,’ your practitioner will observe your tongue, feel your wrist pulses, and examine your abdomen (tummy area).

Your treatment might incorporate a combination of electroacupuncture, cupping, gua sha (therapeutic scraping), moxibustion (burning a medicinal herb called Mugwort), or infrared heat lamp application.

You’re then left to relax for 20-30mins (the best bit).

Next, your pins are removed, and we will discuss your ongoing treatment plan for future visits.

I practice in a very gentle manner, so you should find your treatment very comfortable.

Many people feel a small momentary sting as the acupuncture needles are inserted.

Some patients may experience mild, self-correcting minor side effects following an acupuncture session, such as a light headache and occasional minor bruising.

Yes, acupuncture is covered by private health insurance when received from a registered practitioner. The level of coverage will be dependent on your insurance.

Your acupuncturist, Kathryn, is registered with most Australian private health funds. Contact us to confirm if that includes your particular fund.

Acupuncture focuses on drug-free pain relief and can be effective in the treatment of several acute and chronic ailments.

It takes a holistic approach by addressing the underlying cause of the condition, as well as the symptoms.

Acupuncture connects body, mind and emotions. Acupuncture focuses not only on ailments but assists in the prevention of disease and the maintenance of general well-being.

Research* has shown that acupuncture can be used with effectiveness in the treatment of a wide range of conditions, from musculoskeletal and digestive issues to mental health, stress, reproductive and gynaecological concerns.

Acupuncture has been proven to effectively complement the treatment of conditions such as allergic rhinitis, knee osteoarthritis, headaches and chronic lower back pain.

*McDonald J, Janz S. The Acupuncture Evidence Project: A Comparative Literature Review (Revised Edition). Brisbane: Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association Ltd; 2017. http://www.acupuncture.org.au/

Acupuncture can support you right through your pregnancy. Below are some common complaints that we support:

During pregnancy

Nausea, constipation, heartburn & reflux, headaches, haemorrhoids, aches & pains (including pelvic pain), fatigue, insomnia, anxiety & depression, sinusitis, hypertension (high blood pressure), oedema (swelling).

Breech position

If your primary healthcare team determines it is safe to encourage the baby to turn, we can use acupuncture and moxibustion to help support optimal positioning. This treatment is performed between 34 and 36 weeks and includes a demonstration and coaching on performing the treatment at home between appointments.

Labour preparation

We can support you in the lead-up to giving birth with weekly treatments from 36 weeks. During this time we work on boosting energy and smoothing emotions, managing any lingering pain & discomfort, digestion, sleep, muscle and tendon relaxation, and softening the cervix to smooth the way to labour. In these sessions, our intention is not to induce labour but to help you prepare the best circumstances to encourage your baby to come when the time is right.

Labour induction

After you've reached your due date or if you're approaching a scheduled medical induction, we shift our treatment approach. We recommend scheduling a few sessions over several days. Sometimes, medical induction is still needed, and sometimes, it is not. While we can't guarantee outcomes, we often hear from birthing people that their sessions leave them feeling more prepared and at ease.

Nope. This isn't an area where I am focused - but I can help you choose the right practitioner to support your family goals.

If we are already working together on other health areas and fertility becomes a new focus, we will determine together whether I can continue supporting you or if a different practitioner would better help you.