Medical Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a form of therapy in which fine needles are inserted into specific points on the body and left in position for 10-20 minutes, depending on the condition being treated.

Acupuncture stimulates the nerves in skin, muscle, and other tissues, and can produce a variety of effects. We know that it increases the release of the body’s natural painkillers, including endorphin and serotonin, in the pathways of both the spinal cord and the brain. This modifies the way pain signals are received by the brain. Acupuncture can do more than simply reduce pain however: it seems to have a beneficial effect on the health of some individuals. Patients often notice an improved sense of wellbeing after treatment. Current research shows that acupuncture can influence many of the body’s systems – the nervous system, muscle tone, hormone production, circulation, and allergic responses, as well as the respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems.

Medical acupuncture is acupuncture performed by a trained medical practitioner, following a thorough medical assessment and diagnosis of the problem, and as a complementary treatment alongside conventional medical treatment.

Before starting acupuncture treatment, the practitioner must be sure that all the necessary tests have been carried out which might point to any serious or potentially serious condition that may require other forms of treatment.

Yes and No.

The same types of sterile, single-use, disposable needles are used in dry needling and acupuncture.  However, dry needling involves the insertion of needles into muscle – especially muscle trigger points – with the aim of releasing and relaxing those muscle fibres.  Acupuncture uses the insertion of needles into particular points on the body to effect changes in the body’s systems and help the body to heal itself (restore homeostasis).   The points used may not lie in the areas of the body where you are experiencing your problem.  For example, there are points on the foot which are useful for treating some headaches.

Acupuncture is proven to be effective in a wide range of painful conditions and is commonly used for musculoskeletal pain, including chronic low back and neck pain, knee osteoarthritis pain, migraine, and tension-type headache, and temporomandibular (jaw joint) disorders (TMD). Some other situations in which acupuncture might be used are: improvement in the symptoms of overactive bladder syndrome; shoulder pain; post-operative nausea and vomiting; allergic rhinitis.

Acupuncture is generally very safe, and particularly so in the hands of a qualified medically trained practitioner, who can adequately assess the risks and benefits of applying the therapy.

Serious side-effects are very rare – less than one per 10,000 treatments.

Only sterile, single-use, disposable needles are used.

You need to be aware that:

• drowsiness occurs after treatment in a small number of patients, and if affected, you are advised NOT to drive.
• minor bleeding or bruising occurs after acupuncture in about 3% of treatments.
• pain during treatment occurs in about 1% of treatments.
• symptoms can get worse after treatment (less than 3% of patients).  You should tell the medical acupuncturist about this, but it is usually a good sign
• fainting can occur in certain patients, particularly in the first treatment.

Whilst these side effects are rare, a medical acupuncturist is a registered and qualified medical doctor trained to recognise and deal with such events.  In addition, if there are particular risks that apply in your case, your medical acupuncturist will discuss these with you.

Acupuncture needles are very fine – much finer than needles used in giving injections.

You may or may not feel a short sharp pricking sensation when a needle is first inserted.  Remember that acupuncture works by stimulating nerves, so a sensation of tingling, electrical stimulation, warmth, or ache indicates that the treatment is working.  These sensations generally settle quickly during the treatment session.

Acupuncture may be performed using a laser device which stimulates acupuncture points with the use of visible red light.  Acupuncture laser devices are not high powered so do not heat, or cause tissue damage. You will be offered the use of eye protection during laser acupuncture.

The first appointment takes 90mins.  This allows for a thorough assessment of the problem you want addressed, including full medical history and physical examination.

A treatment plan will be discussed and your consent for acupuncture sought before any treatment begins.

Subsequent appointments are 45mins long.  Your response to the previous acupuncture session and a brief physical examination informs the choice of points for each session.  Each acupuncture treatment is tailor made for you.

The fees are listed below. Fees are payable at the time of consultation.

• Medical Acupuncture Initial (<90min) - $201
• Medical Acupuncture – Standard (<45 min) - $152

If you intend to make a claim through Medicare and would like us to process it for you, please bring your Medicare card and a card that is linked to a cheque or savings account. We will attempt to process your Medicare rebate for you, however on occasions where this cannot be done, a receipt will be issued for you to claim yourself with Medicare.

Credit card, EFTPOS and cash are all accepted, unfortunately we are unable to accept AMEX

Please note that ATUNE Health Centres is a private practice and not a bulk billing clinic. Full payment to ATUNE Health Centres is required before a rebate can be processed.

Cancellation - Please note, if less than 24 hours’ notice is given, fees apply, and you will be charged according to the ATUNE Cancellation Policy.