What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a form of medicine that was developed in China thousands of years ago.

• It involves the gentle insertion of very fine, stainless steel, single-use needles into Acupuncture points on the body.

• There are at least 350 Acupuncture points that exist on meridians located throughout the body.

• Meridians are lines of energy in which Qi or life force energy circulates.

• It is said that when the Qi travels through the meridians with no obstruction then there is the ease of movement and wellbeing. When however the Qi becomes stuck due to injury, emotional stress, medications or other lifestyle factors then there is often pain and disease in the body.

• The insertion of needles into the Acupuncture points along the body’s meridian system helps to bring the body back into balance and hence helps to alleviate particular symptoms or conditions.

About your acupuncture treatment

A typical Acupuncture session with Michelle involves an in-depth chat about your presenting health problem, followed by an assessment of the body, using Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnostics.
These include inspecting the tongue, checking the pulse, pressing the “hara” or abdomen as well as feeling pressure pain at various acupuncture points.

The concept of Hara diagnosis was developed by Japanese Acupuncture Masters who were vision impaired and as a result, would have a heightened sense of touch (also known as palpation), allowing them to gather the information that non-vision-impaired practitioners may have missed. These masters also treated the patient very gently and respectfully.

For over two decades, Michelle has done many hours of post-graduate training in Japanese Style Acupuncture with some of the world's most highly skilled Japanese Acupuncture teachers. She has studied under world-famous Acupuncture teacher, Kiiko Matsumoto as well as Shimamura Sensei both of whom were apprentices of blind Acupuncturist, Master Nagano. Michelle is currently undertaking post graduate studies in Toyohari Acupuncture.

The Japanese style of Acupuncture that Michelle practices is very comfortable, gentle and deeply relaxing with many clients drifting into a light sleep during their treatment.

Does acupuncture hurt?

There are many different styles of Acupuncture as well as many varieties of needling techniques that are used by Acupuncturists. Most patients who are treated by Michelle, report minimal to no sensation when needles are inserted. For the needle phobic, there are non needle options such as non needle insertion Acupuncture, press tacks or moxibustion which cause no sensation whatsoever.

What is dry needling?

Did you know that all fully trained Acupuncturists must have a 4 year bachelor degree or equivalent and be registered nationally with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) in order to practice Acupuncture?

AHPRA sets the standard for education and public safety and ensures that all registered Acupuncturists comply with these.

There is often a lot of confusion between dry needling and acupuncture. In fact, Acupuncture IS dry needling. The only difference is that dry needling is an alternate term that is used by practitioners who are NOT degree qualified Acupuncturists and who are NOT registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as Acupuncturists.

These practitioners might include Physiotherapists, Osteopaths, Chiropractors and Musculoskeletal Therapists who have merely attended weekend courses on needling.

What conditions can acupuncture help with?

There are many conditions for which Acupuncture has been clinically proven to be effective. These include:

Achilles Tendinopathy
Acute Pain
Anxiety
Arthritis
Cancer related pain
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Chemotherapy induced nausea
Chronic pain
Chronic Low Back Pain
Depression
Fibromyalgia
Hay fever
Headache
Knee osteoarthritis
Knee Pain
Menopause
Migraine prevention
Neck Pain
Pain Management
Plantar Fasciitis
Shoulder Pain
Trigeminal Neuralgia

Can I claim my Acupuncture sessions with my health fund ?

Yes. In Australia, acupuncture is a registered medical profession with AHPRA and as such is recognised by all the major private health funds in Australia.  

If you would like to discuss how Michelle may be able to help you with a specific concern you are having, you are more than welcome to book in a 15 minute complementary phone chat with Michelle.

Alternatively you can book your Acupuncture treatment below.