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Traditional
Chinese Medicine (TCM) is particularly good for the treatment of injuries and
painful conditions. But it is also great for menstrual
disorders, menopausal symptoms, subfertility in women, poor sperm
count in men, diarrhea, eczema, acne, sinusitis, sore throat and hay
fever just to mention a few. The list is enormous so inquire
today if you would like to know if acupuncture can help you.
In
many instances acupuncture can be used on its own to treat
particular conditions. In other cases you might need to combine
acupuncture with your medication/treatment prescribed by your
naturopath, chiropractor, physiotherapist, doctor or specialist.
The idea is that Acupuncture can be thought of as a ‘complementary’
therapy and not an ‘alternative’ therapy.
During a consultation Luke will utilize any of the following
treatment methods:
● Acupuncture (the insertion of very fine needles)
● Massage / Tui Na (Chinese massage)
● Moxibustion (the application of heat to acupoints)
● Patent herbal formulas (pre-packaged powdered herbal pills)
● Cupping & gua-sha
Luke may also use a variety of massage techniques and Bowen Therapy.
What is Acupuncture?
It is the practice of inserting very fine needles into the skin to
stimulate specific anatomical points in the body (called acupoints
or acupuncture points) for therapeutic purposes. Along with the
usual method of puncturing the skin with fine needles,
acupuncturists also use other methods to stimulate the points;
● Heat (called moxibustion)
● Friction, manipulation & pressure
● Electromagnetic stimulation
The acupoints are stimulated to balance the movement of life-force
energy called qi (pronounced chee) in the body to restore health &
prevent disease.
Does it hurt?
Unlike hypodermic injection needles, acupuncture needles are solid &
hair-thin; they are not designed to cut the skin. They are also
inserted to much more shallow levels than hypodermic needles,
generally no more than a half-inch to an inch depending on the type
of treatment being delivered. Luke only uses needles that are
high-quality, sterile, once-use only products.
While each person experiences acupuncture differently, most people
feel only a minimal amount of sensation as the needles are inserted,
but different points on the body elicit different sensations.
What should I expect on my first visit?
As with most health practitioners, the first visit to an
acupuncturist usually begins with the practitioner taking a detailed
history. Since TCM takes a more holistic approach to patient care
than Western medicine, Luke may ask you questions that appear
unimportant (questions about your sleep habits, your ability to
tolerate heat or cold, your dietary habits, etc) but these are
actually vital to the type of care you will receive. The goal is to
assemble all the jig-saw pieces of information into one coherent
picture allowing Luke to determine the most appropriate personalized
treatment for you.
In addition to asking questions Luke will also ask to see your
tongue & will feel your pulse on both wrists. Tongue & pulse
diagnosis is a method of “observing” how your body is functioning
internally, similar to iris diagnosis used by Naturopaths.
Depending on the diagnosis, needles will be inserted into specific
acupuncture points on the body. Luke may use heat or electrical
stimulation to enhance acupuncture's therapeutic effect. Depending
on your condition, your first visit may take between 60-90 minutes.
Return visits can last anywhere from 30-45 minutes. It may take
several visits (similar to a chiropractic schedule) to see
significant improvement or resolve your condition. If you don't
understand a particular technique or type of treatment, make sure to
ask Luke.
How many treatments do I need?
The number & frequency of visits depends upon several factors such
as the duration & intensity of your condition; your age & general
constitution; your response to treatment & your willingness to do
things to help yourself (taking prescribed herbs, doing exercises,
making suggested lifestyle changes).
Chinese medicine is effective because it makes very specific subtle
changes to your body’s energy system. The effects are accumulative
so compliance with a suggested treatment schedule will maximise your
chance of improvement.
What can I do to benefit my treatment?
● Arrive at your appointment a few minutes early; this will ensure
you are nice & calm prior to having your treatment. Please turn off
your mobile phone during your treatment.
● Avoid stimulants like coffee, cigarettes & other drugs such as
marijuana at least two hours prior to your session. Avoid eating
just prior to your session.
● Ensure you are clean & if possible freshly showered to minimise
the possibility of skin infection at the needle entry sites.
● If you are prescribed herbs, exercises or dietary advice, ensure
that you follow the suggested techniques. This will maximize your
recovery & reduce the number of treatments required.
● Like massage, acupuncture can leave you a little disoriented after
a treatment. Please ensure you sit for a few moments & have some
water prior to getting in a car to drive home.
Just remember that if you are nervous about needles, you have very
little to worry about. Luke is very friendly and gentle and
understands your concerns so you can enjoy your treatment as much as
possible.
There are two things you need to do:
1. Decide that whatever is troubling you is not worth hanging onto
and that you should do something about it today.
2. Pick up the phone and make an appointment (8362 6622) or
call Luke’s mobile (0403 488 405) to have a chat.
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