FAQ

Honestly, this question is like asking how long is a piece of string! As with any medicine, early treatment is always better. Acute conditions with recent onset, such as lower back pain or headache, may recover within several sessions, while more chronic issues, like anxiety or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), are generally more complex and will require a longer-term commitment in order to address the root cause. Healing can be supported and accelerated by lifestyle measures, like modifying your physical activities or incorporating more exercise or rest. Dietary therapy is also an integral part of the process, and will help to further support your body between treatments – this is particularly important in chronic cases. The relevant advice, personalised to your needs, together with a scope of treatment, will be discussed during your initial consultation.

Due to my Registration as an Acupuncturist under AHPRA (as well as basic common sense) its impossible for me to give you an answer as to how many sessions you may need for your condition – especially before you have even had a consult.

Please do not think that you have had one or two treatments, not seen a result and therefore ‘acupuncture doesn’t work’. This is highly unrealistic and fundamentally, does you no favours. There is no such thing as a magic bullet and if you honestly wish to improve your health condition you will need to commit to making appropriate changes and giving your body the opportunity to heal.

Acupuncture, like all forms of medicine, is an art as well as a science and people respond very differently I prefer to see how you respond after an initial appointment before giving you a clearer window of potential outcomes. I suggest you commit at least 6 treatments to give you a realistic opportunity to see how you respond.

Keep in mind that it is in Jade’s interest to get you well again, and your health issue resolved as quickly as possible. Over-servicing is not in anyone’s interest and is not part of an ethical practice. But under-servicing will get you poor results and is not in your best interest either.

Many people are surprised to hear not only that Acupuncture has a considerable body of evidence, but also that we can treat so many conditions. Regardless of what your actual condition is, it is very likely that some improvement will be possible. This will depend on a number of factors, including the nature of the condition, its duration, your overall health, lifestyle factors (for example if your work/ day- to-day activities exacerbate your condition but can’t be avoided) the condition and illness itself, and the number of treatments you have.

So far, most of the evidence suggests that we assist your body in regaining its homeostasis’ (natural healthy balance) and remind it to do what its supposed to be doing. It’s actually a good deal more complex than this, of course, but this is the initial starting point. This may manifest in very different ways for different individuals. Acupuncture actually has one of the broadest and most comprehensive evidence bases of all modalities. In fact we have considerably more evidence of efficiency than many of the ‘standard’, more mainstream methods of treatment for many conditions. See here for a more complete list.

What the sentences above translate to in real life means… almost anything! Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, while by no means a magic bullet (there isn’t one, I’m sorry) have evidence that we can treat a wide range of conditions. These include, but are by no means limited to: Painful conditions, Musculoskeletal conditions, Neurological conditions, Gynaecological problems, Pregnancy and labour, Gastrointestinal disorders, Ear, nose and throat disorders, Mental health, Weight Loss, Urogenital disorders, Cardiovascular disorders, Addictions, Skin conditions, Oncology support, and Immunity. Please also be aware that treatments for these conditions are proven to be effective for Acupuncture treatment from a Chinese Medical practitioner: this is how these treatments have been performed and validated. You are unlikely to get these results from someone without this training and expertise (as in, someone who is not registered as an Acupuncturist, practicing dry needling).

Anyone! (except haemophiliacs… for obvious reasons. Or at any rate, not with needles). Acupuncture is suitable for everyone, including the elderly, pregnant women and babies. The style, depth and manner of the treatment will be adapted to the individual as they are at that point on that day. Some tools and techniques will be appropriate for one person but not for another. Some days you may feel more sensitive, stressed or fatigued than other days. All these aspects will affect not only the treatment you receive, but also the different responses you may observe during and after your treatment.

Acupuncture needles are very very tiny. The sensation is nothing at all like having your blood taken with a big hypodermic needle! Some people feel a slight pop or sting on initial insertion, some people feel very little at all. What you feel when the needles are in can vary immensely. You may feel a dull achy sensation, a tingling feeling, or a running sensation from one area to another. You may feel a lightness or release of pressure. Feel free to ask your practitioner if what is happening is normal: it very likely is. But if you feel pain or discomfort at any time, ask. Jade has treated many ‘first time’ and (previously) needle phobic individuals: you are welcome to take the time you need to feel comfortable with the idea.

Initially, there will be a comprehensive initial consultation. Especially for more complex or internal health conditions (as opposed to a musculoskeletal issue, generally), your practitioner will ask you a series of questions around your health, including digestive, energy, gynaecological, sleep, emotional state, as well as details about your presenting issue. We will also feel your pulse and ask to see your tongue.

Yes – in the hands of a registered Acupuncturist, acupuncture is considered very safe, with negligible side effects. Your practitioner uses sterile, single-use needles to perform acupuncture, and has been highly-trained in their use. However, no medical practice is without risk: Jade will discuss any potential side effects with you at your fist appointment.

To ensure you are in safe hands, make sure that your Acupuncturist is registered with the Australia Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Chinese medicine is generally considered to be safe, but occasionally (as with all health treatments) may be associated with possible adverse reactions in individual cases. Chinese herbal medicine uses individually-tailored ratios of natural ingredients, many of which are commonly used in food (ie. mandarine peel, cinnamon, pepper, ginger, peppermint): it has been in continuous clinical use for several thousand years, so the therapeutic effects are founded on millennia of clinical practice.

In Australia, all registered practitioners of Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine must complete, at minimum, a rigorous Bachelor of Health Science degree. In order to practice, practitioners must be registered with the government body AHPRA. AHPRA ensures that health professionals adhere to high standards of safety and continuing training, so for peace of mind, check that your Acupuncturist is registered with AHPRA.

When performed by a registered Chinese Medicine practitioner, acupuncture is considered very safe, with minimal side effects. While Acupuncture is generally fairly painless (or involves only minimal sensation), occasionally a surface capillary may be grazed, causing a small bruise over the acupuncture point.

However, no medical practice is without risk: Jade will discuss any potential side effects with you at your fist appointment. To avoid issues such as fatigue or dizziness, please be sure to eat a decent meal 2 -3 hours prior to your appointment.

Cupping and Gua Sha do not have side effects as such, but in most cases will leave a temporary, painless, bruise-like mark on the skin. As these therapies aim to promote circulation and resolve obstruction, the worse the tension or “stuckness” in the area, the more pronounced the marks will be. These marks have actually become a bit of style statement since Gwyneth Paltrow stepped out on the red carpet sporting the telltale marks, and were also a hit at the Rio Olympics. However, if you have an upcoming special event and would prefer make a different kind of style statement, please let your practitioner know so that they can choose another treatment approach.

This depends on the unique formula that has been created for your particular pattern. Some formulas are made of ingredients such as dried ginger and liquorice, and taste like a spice cookie (well, according to some people anyway!). Another formula uses cinnamon with fresh ginger and sweet red date, and tastes almost like a chai tea. Some people enjoy their formulas so much that they drink them as a tea throughout the day! However, other formulas may be stronger and less pleasant in flavour, though their particular taste and therapeutic action is necessary to restore balance in the body. As your body gets used to herbal medicine, you will observe for yourself the ways in which it makes you feel better (many patients report that they actually start to “crave” their herbs as they feel so good as a result).

As Chinese herbal medicine is tailored to your specific situation and uses gentle, natural and many food-grade ingredients, side effects are rare. Occasionally, some minor effects may be observed such as increased thirst or appetite, a change in bowel movements, or a greater or lesser sensation of warmth throughout the body. These changes are generally welcome, as they provide further important clues as to the nature of the presenting imbalance, and will help your practitioner to fine-tune and individualise your treatment even further. If you are unsure about anything you may be noticing, please contact us to discuss your case.

When considering side-effects, it is worth remembering that many conventional pharmaceutical drugs have well-documented and considerable side-effects, such as: irritation of the stomach lining (as NSAIDs like Voltaren and Nurofen can do), potential damage of the liver and kidneys (as many painkillers can do as they are metabolised by the body), and blood clotting or disruption of the healthy production of blood (as Sulfasalazine, a common anti-inflammatory drug, can do).

As treatment progresses and your body becomes stronger and now has the resources to deal with immune challenges, any old imbalances or unresolved infections may come to fore, resulting in a temporary worsening of symptoms (or cold/flu-like symptoms, that indicate the newly-heightened activity of the immune system). This can be a positive sign that your body is becoming more resilient: after all, an exhausted immune system can’t put up much of a fight! this may manifest as fever or mucus. If this occurs during your treatment process, it is likely that your herbal medicine will need to be modified to reflect the new state of your body: please contact your practitioner to discuss this.

Absolutely not! We have a very strict policy against the use of any endangered animal products. In fact, the vast majority of formula ingredients are of plant origin – predominantly leaves, flowers, bark, stems, roots, grains, seeds and nuts. All medicines used in the clinic are TGA licensed and fall under CITES:the Certification scheme for Endangered Species. you can read more about Herbal Medicine here. In a very small number of cases, an animal product such as gelatin may be included in the prescription. Gelatin is richly nourishing and can support the body in certain cases of extreme fatigue, anaemia or after blood loss (the same principle is behind the resurgence of bone broth as the latest superfood). If you are vegan, vegetarian or would prefer not to take animal products, please let your practitioner know and your formula will be modified accordingly. Similarly, please advise your practitioner if you have any allergies or sensitivities to any food products, (i.e. wheat or barley).

I can practice either solo as your main health care provider, or in conjunction with other health professionals. With your permission and if appropriate, I can work alongside your GP, psychologist, physiotherapist, naturopath, osteopath, or other health care professional. If required I will refer you to another therapist or modality, or for more comprehensive testing for a condition if required.

NO.

This is honestly, very likely to be the only time you see caps lock on this website. While it is true that occasionally, for some conditions, some people improve enough to reduce or no longer require their medication, you must, must, see your consulting physician rather than altering your dosage yourself.

All pharmaceutical drugs have some negative side affect associated with their ingestion: many drugs also have negative side affects associated with the reduction of the drug. You may negatively rebound and become much worse. These outcomes can be potentially life threatening so do not take the easy access to a pharmaceutical drug for granted. You should always see your medical consulting physician before changing your dose of a pharmaceutical drug.

It is an exciting time right now, as many of the latest scientific “discoveries” regarding health are actually just confirming what Chinese Medicine practitioners have taken for granted for thousands of years: therefore, the two medicines are increasingly moving in the same direction. However, there are still some key differences that make acupuncture and Chinese Medicine a great choice for those seeking a natural approach with minimal side effects:

• Chinese Medicine treats the individual and their own unique pattern of imbalance to get to the root of the problem, rather than applying a standard treatment to (usually) suppress symptoms, as in Western Medicine. This equates to less side effects and more targeted results, and can be particularly helpful when standard approaches have already failed to deliver adequate results.
• Chinese Medicine is a holistic medicine that takes into account all the body systems. In this way, with minimal intervention it can address multiple symptoms concurrently, even when they may appear unrelated, i.e. recent research has again confirmed the relationship between gut health and emotional health.
• Chinese medicine is generally considered safe, using natural ingredients (often food items). It is sustainable, with minimal processing and waste. As a time-tested medicine using herbal formulas and acupuncture points that have been proven over thousands of years of clinical use, Chinese Medicine does not rely on costly and occasionally harmful clinical trials. Herbal medicines have many of the same therapeutic compounds that have been isolated and synthesised into pharmaceutical drugs, but taking these compounds in their natural form – as a herb – mitigates side effects and preserves any important co-factors that may contribute to the therapeutic action of the medicine.

Actually, no, they almost definitely don’t. A Massage Therapist is not a Registered Health Professional – and there are very, very few Physiotherapists or Chiropractors with dual registration as Acupuncturists. Many of them have not even been approved for Dry Needling by their own professional associations, much less by the Chinese Medicine Regulation Board! This is the difference between 5 years (yes, full time) and a weekend course so its a bit like comparing a Paramedic to a first aid certificate. Please see here regarding Acupuncture vs. Dry Needling so you can understand what the differences are.

For more information or to check that your Acupuncturist is registered visit the Chinese Medicine Regulation Board of Australia or the AHPRA website here.