How Many Sessions Do I Need?

Our standard is to expect immediate results... the severity of the condition will determine the length of the treatment.

Symptoms of cold and flu or soreness in the body may only need one treatment. Whereas dealing with the effects of stroke would be different. In this example a twelve course treatment may be appropriate.

Our patients come to us, often as a last resort. All other options have been exhausted. For these situations twelve treatments is common.

After 6-8 sessions we review the treatment plan. If we cannot help within this time frame we may refer the patient to a professional who may be more suitable

Can I Expect Immediate Benefits From Acupuncture? How Long Does It Take to Work?

How immediately you notice a difference depends on what you are being treated for.

When treated for pain you will notice immediate results. Although being treated for an internal disharmony, change may take a few treatments.  

​Is TCM Safe During Pregnancy?

It is very safe to receive acupuncture whilst you are pregnant.

Our practitioners are trained in dealing with the specificities required by pregnant women.

Can I have Acupuncture After Surgery?

Depending on the type of surgery, yes you can. In some countries, acupuncturists treat patients post-surgery, in their hospitals .  

Are There Any Adverse Side Effects of Acupuncture?

Patients may feel a bit tired or light headed for a few moments to a few hours after a treatment. This is a sign of the body rebalancing.

This usually only happens for the first couple of treatments. Although tired patients tend to look forward to this calming effect.

Acupuncture generally has an immediate therapeutic effect on the condition of the patient. This happens soon after the treatment. It may involve an emotional release, a surge of energy or a sense of well-being.  

Are There Any Dangers of Acupuncture?

There are rare serious complications associated with acupuncture.

Reviewers point out that injuries relate to insufficient training.(White 2004; Yamashita et al. 2001)

White (2004) surveyed 12 prospective studies of more than a million treatments. The results showed 0.55 per 10,000 individual patients. The conclusion was that the risk of serious events with acupuncture is very low. And below that of many common medical treatments.

Yamashita, H., H. Tsukayama, A. R. White, Y. Tanno, C. Sugishita, and E. Ernst. 2001. “Systematic Review of Adverse Events Following Acupuncture: The Japanese Literature.” Complementary Therapies in Medicine 9 (2): 98–104. doi:10.1054/ctim.2001.0446.

PCOM. 2015. “The Science of Acupuncture Safety: Risks, Harms, and Ancient Goodness.” Pacific College. April 27. http://www.pacificcollege.edu/news/blog/2015/04/27/science-acupuncture-safety-risks-harms-and-ancient-goodness.

What Acupuncture Isn't!

Due to translation from Chinese text books to English there is confusion to what Acupuncture is.

Acupuncture is not:  

• voodoo
• energy medicine
• religion
• magic
• painful
• a placebo affect
• a treatment for hippies
• in conflict with Western Medicine
• only used to just help people overcome pain
• filled with side-effects
• something you have to do for the rest of your life
• a magic-bullet, cure-all

There are no invisible energy meridians.

What Acupuncture Is!

Acupuncture is a completely pain free therapy. It involves the slight insertion of ultra fine needles. We insert these needles into specific body locations called acupoints.

According  to Traditional Chinese Medicine, this restores balance to the body.  This balance is achieved by clearing blockages that flow along pathways called meridians… and by stimulating the nervous system, regulating the flow of qi (vital energy).

Acupuncture is a real physical medicine based on real anatomy not energy.

What Acupuncture actually does is improve the flow of:

• oxygen (Qi)
• nutrients (Ying Qi)
• blood (Xue)

All these elements combine together to nourish every cell of the body.

According to Chinese medicine acupuncture treats the #1 cause of disease: BLOOD STAGNATION.

Blood stagnation impairs blood flow in the body. This impaired blood flow causes the affected areas to function improperly.

The body does not heal without proper blood flow.

Acupuncture causes your blood vessels to dilate... increasing blood flow to the targeted area.

This dilation of the blood vessels:

• relieves pain,
• improves organ function
• prevents ageing
  

Acupuncture stimulates the nervous system by activating nerves and fibres. These nerves and fibres travel from the skin to the spine and into the brain.

So, acupuncture improves nerve signals to the brain. This improvement forces your brain to release natural painkillers called Opioids.

Opioids shut off the signal and end your pain.

How Does Acupuncture Work and How Does It Stimulate Your Health?

According to Chinese medicine there are five main factors that influence your health:

1. the flow of oxygen in the body (Qi)
   
   
2. the flow of blood in the body (Xue)
   
   
3. the health of your blood vessels (Xue Mai)
   
   
4. the health of your organs (Zang Fu)
   
   
5. the health of your nervous system (Jing Mai)
   
   

Acupuncture stimulates the body to naturally heal itself

“(13) HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE WORK? - YouTube.” 2017. Accessed August 23. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PeIUDuzogU.

​​Occasionally I hear people say that acupuncture doesn't work for them.

It's easy to draw that conclusion when you haven't received the results you were looking for.

And while it may be true, it's usually a result of them failing to understand certain key factors.

The first is the expected results.

What Are They Hoping to Achieve From the Treatment?

Let's consider musculoskeletal injury. Musculoskeletal treatment WILL help promote healing, reduce inflammation and pain.

Musculoskeletal treatment WON'T reverse 50 years of degenerative damage in 3 weeks treatment.

If a traumatic injury is present, the treatment is unlikely to reverse the trauma.

If your injury is severe, you may still need surgery.

BUT!

The treatment will help cut your need for pain killers and anti-inflammatory medication... as well as speeding up the healing process.

Your quality of life will drastically improve... and your journey to health will be much shorter.

The same applies to congenital disorders. You may still have the disorder, but your reliance on medication is far less.

​Read this ​white paper on the Psychological and Physical Side Effects of Pain Medications by Donald Teater M.D. 

Another Key Aspect Is the Patient's Cooperation.

Successful treatment often needs dietary and lifestyle changes.

You may be asked to do certain stretches, or avoid certain foods that will worsen your condition.

Your lack of compliance will have a detrimental effect on your projected outcomes.

It's like pigging out on junk food and complaining to your personal trainer. ... " why haven't I lost any weight!"

If you want to know what results to realistically expect, then ask your therapist.

How Many Treatments Will I Need?

The ​third key factor is the time frame of the treatments.

Most people are aware that if a person has a headache you can stick a needle in their hand and the headache will go away.

Yes it's true, some treatments work instantly.

YET, real healing is about affecting change throughout the entire body.

You may have short-lived relief after a treatment...

Does this mean the treatment did not work?

NOT QUITE!

This indicates that the changes to your body's energetic flow hasn't fully taken hold.

It can take several weeks of treatment...  with subtle changes to identify and treat the exact changes in your body's energetic flow.

This is a gradual process and can take some time to occur. Once again patient compliance is a big part of this process.

During this process it is vital that you are honest with your therapist. Report the changes in your symptoms so that the treatment can adjusted to suit...  to exactly what your body needs at that moment in time.

It's common (and desirable) for your body to change over the course of the treatment... so the treatment needs to change too.

Chinese Medicine Is a Single Cohesive Medical System.

The ​fourth factor: the assumption that Chinese Medicine is a single cohesive medical system.

Well, it isn't!

Chinese Medicine is an amalgamation of several different medical and ideological paradigms.

As a registered practitioner in Australia all the major paradigms have been studied. However, be aware, there are many other ones out there. It's unlikely that any single practitioner practices them all, all the time. Most practitioners will specialise in or favour certain paradigms.

You may hear terms such as:

• Japanese Acupuncture versus Chinese Acupuncture
• Five element theory
• scalp acupuncture
• Zang-Fu theory
• micro-systems etc

These are some examples of different paradigms for diagnosing and treating the body.

Most practitioners, will use the paradigm that works most often for that condition. Yet it may not be the only paradigm that works. You may find that paradigm doesn't work for you.

All you've found out is that that specific paradigm or technique didn't work for you. Not that acupuncture doesn't work for you.

1. Before stainless steel acupuncture needles were made of:

• gold
• silver
• stone
• bamboo
• bone
  
  

2. The word acupuncture comes from the Latin acus, “needle” and pungere “to prick”.

3. Even though a needle is being inserted in the skin, acupuncture is virtually painless.

4. Acupuncture needles are a lot smaller than standard hypodermic needles. They and are not hollow and do not draw blood.

5. Acupuncture needles are single use, sterilised and pre packaged.

6. When performed by a trained and licensed practitioner, acupuncture is safe and effective.... free from negative side effects.

7. The benefits of acupuncture are difficult to measure when using western research methods. These methods need a constant variable to measure all data against.... something that goes against acupuncture treatment plans.

8. Acupuncture treats each patient as an individual. If 50 people with the common cold received treatment, all treatments may be unique....  from the points used to the herbs prescribed.

9. Acupuncturists feel your tongue and look at your pulse to diagnose conditions.

10. Acupuncture is one form of therapy used within Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

TCM also includes:

• herbal medicine
• Chinese dietary therapy
• physical therapy
• moxibustion
• cupping/scrapping
• Tui Na massage
• chi Qong
• acupressure

“Acupuncture Fun Facts!” 2017. Accessed August 23. https://www.infographicsarchive.com/health-and-safety/acupuncture-fun-facts/.

Finding the right practitioner is a decision you need to make on your own, and do not rush it.

If you follow this procedure, you will be sure to find an experienced practitioner.

We recommend 5 easy steps:

• Step 1. Outline your Health Goals
• Step 2. Initial Research
• Step 3. Identify Practitioners with the Right Credentials
• Step 4. Make Contact with the Chinese Medicine Practitioner
• Step 5. Book your appointment
• 
  

We are a global leader in natural, safe and sustainable healthcare

We contribute our success to our range of safe and effective therapies. We’ve been able to help thousands of our clients overcome a range of physical and emotional pain.

Here are some of the reasons why they chose us as their preferred healthcare specialist:

We have:

INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE

Clinical experience is the most important factor when choosing your healthcare practitioner.

All our practitioners need a least five years industry experience at Sustain Health.

They need to complete double the annual industry standard for professional education.

ACCESS TO THE STATE OF THE ART TREATMENT ROOMS

Our clinic is one of the largest complementary medicine clinics in Australia.

All our premium consulting and treatment suites are individual rooms. We offer superior sound/noise insulation, and more privacy for our clients.

DUAL QUALIFICATIONS

Our team of Chinese medicine practitioners are all AHPRA registered. AHPRA is the governing body for all health practitioners in Australia. This registration includes both Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture.

Our practitioners hold university degrees in both Chinese and western medical science. The understanding of these combined sciences maximises positive patient outcomes.

PAIN FREE TREATMENTS

At Sustain Health, we only use the most prestigious acupuncture needle. Seirin from Japan and Dong Bang from Korea. They offer a pain-free acupuncture experience.

PREMIUM HERBAL PRODUCTS

In our clinic's dispensary we use only premium quality Chinese herbal medicine products.

We recommend Koda and KPC Taiwanese brands of Chinese herbal medicine granules.

Our herbal medicines are all TGA approved – and free from:

• pesticides
• heavy metals
• microbial
• aristolochic
• all other chemicals and bacteria

TAILOR-MADE HERBAL SUBSCRIPTIONS

We provide a prescribed, customised herbal formula for our clients specific needs.

Our herbal products are not a 'one size fits all' approach. They are also not exclusive to practitioner pharma brands.

The finest quality, sourced from the best the world can offer.

A COMMITMENT TO LONG-TERM GOOD HEALTH

Our philosophy of treating the body not the symptoms is the ethos we live by. We do not provide our clients with quick fix solutions... although we do expect immediate results.  

We look at the complete picture and provide a holistic treatment plan. This approach enables you to achieve a healthier self... and an improved physical condition.

Acupuncture is the holistic therapy treatment that focuses on your long term health

The disorders below are recognised by the World Health Organisation in December 1979 as being successfully treated by acupuncture.

Neurological conditions such as:

• headaches
• migraines
• stroke
• facial and inter-costal neuralgia
• trigeminal neuralgia
• some forms of paralysis
• sequelae of poliomyelitis
• peripheral neuropathy
• Meniere's disease
  
  

Cardiovascular disorders such as:

• high or low blood pressure
• fluid retention
• chest pain
• angina pectoris
• poor circulation
• cold hands and feet
• muscle cramps
  
  

Respiratory conditions such as:

• bronchial asthma
• bronchitis
• acute tonsillitis
• rhinitis
• sinusitis
• sore throat
• common cold
  
  

Digestive system disorders such as:

• toothache
• post-extraction pain
• gingivitis
• hiccough
• spasms of the oesophagus
• duodenal ulcers
• gastric hyperacidity
• gastritis
• paralytic ileus
• colitis
• diarrhoea
• constipation
  
  

Urogenital disorders such as:

• nocturnal enuresis 
• neurogenic bladder dysfunction 
  
  

Gynaecological and obstetric disorders such as:

• premenstrual tension
• painful, heavy or irregular, or the absence of periods
• abnormal uterine bleeding or discharge
• hormonal disturbances
• disorders associated with menopause
• prolapse of the uterus or bladder
• difficulty with conception
• morning sickness
  
  

Skin conditions such as:

• eczema
• dermatitis
• psoriasis
• nerve rash
• herpes zoster
• acne
• scar tissue and resultant adhesions
• hair loss and dandruff
  
  

Eye conditions such as:

• conjunctivitis
• simple cataracts
• myopia in children 
• central retinitis
  
  

Musculoskeletal disorders such as:

• osteoarthritis
• sciatica
• low back pain
• cervicobrachial syndrome
• 'frozen shoulder',
• 'tennis elbow' 
  
  

Sporting injuries such as:

• sprained ankles and knees
• cartilage problems
• corking and tearing of muscles
• torn ligaments and bruises
  
  

Psychological conditions such as:

• depression
• phobias
• emotional disturbances
• anxiety
• nervousness
• addictions such as smoking
  

What Does Acupuncture Treat Effectively!

These are common disorders which have been found to respond well to acupuncture.

Neurological conditions such as:

• difficulty sleeping
• nervous tension
• some forms of deafness
• noises in the ears
• dizziness
  
  

Respiratory conditions such as: 

• hay fever
• chronic cough
• laryngitis
• influenza
  
  

Digestive system disorders such as:

• mouth ulcers
• gastric ulcers
• heartburn
• hiatus hernia syndrome
• flatulence
• haemorrhoids
• liver and gall bladder disorders
• weight control
  
  

Urogenital disorders such as:

• cystitis
• prostatitis
• orchitis
• low sexual vitality
• urinary retention
• kidney disorders
  
  

Eye conditions such as:

• visual disorders
• red, sore, itchy or watery eyes
  

Musculoskeletal disorders such as:

• lumbago
• weak back
• rheumatoid arthritis
• gout
• tenosynovitis
• shoulder and neck pain
  
  

McDonald, J, and S Janz. 2017. “Acupuncture Evidence Project.” Comparative Literature Review (Revised Edition). Brisbane: Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association Ltd; 2017. Accessed August 23. http://www.acupuncture.org.au/OURSERVICES/Publications/AcupunctureEvidenceProject.aspx.