Available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and alternating Saturdays, by appointment only.
SERVICES
WHAT CAN ACUPUNCTURE TREAT?
Acupuncture can help relieve or manage many different conditions. These include
• hayfever
• coughs and colds
• sinusitis
• headache
• stress and anxiety
• insomnia
• muscular aches and pains
• arthritis
• problems with digestion (eg diarhhoea, constipation)
• abdominal pain
• menstrual problems (eg irregular periods, period pain, pre-menstrual problems)
• fatigue
• support when quitting smoking
WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE
Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine needles through the skin at certain points on the body.
In Chinese Medicine, acupuncture points are located on the meridians, or channels. The meridians link the organs of the body to the surface, and circulate the blood and qi (‘chee‘) throughout the body. (Qi can be seen as the body’s ‘energy’).
In a traditional acupuncture consultation, you will be diagnosed according to the theories of Chinese Medicine, which looks at you as a whole - looking at your health concern as part of the whole picture, or pattern, of your individual constitution and health.
By needling selected points, the flow of qi and blood can be improved, and the imbalances that led to ill-health can be corrected.
Acupuncture is aimed at relieving your discomfort, and also at resolving the underlying cause of the problem. People often feel either energised, or calm and relaxed after treatment.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT DURING A CONSULTATION?
During a consultation, a thorough history will be taken, covering the condition you are wanting treated, but also covering your general health, and health history. The pulse on both wrists will be felt, and the practitioner will look at your tongue. All of this information is put together to diagnose your pattern.
Acupuncture points are then chosen based on your individual pattern. Many points are located on the arms and legs and are easy to treat if loose, comfortable clothing is worn to the appointment. The points for your treatment will always be discussed with you before the treatment begins, as will any other treatment methods (listed below) that would also be helpful for your condition.
Needles usually remain in place for between 15-30 minutes, depending on the condition. Halfway through this time the needles may be ‘manipulated’ - lifted or rotated gently by hand to keep the qi flowing.
The needles can cause different sensations depending on which points are used - there can be a numbness, warmth, tingling, or a dull ache. People have different levels of sensation during treatment - you may have strong sensations, a more mild feeling, or perhaps no particular feeling from the needles.
To support your treatment, diet and lifestyle recommendations may also be made and Chinese herbs in pill form prescribed.
OTHER TREATMENT METHODS
Cupping involves creating a vacuum (using a flame) within glass cups, which are then placed on the body and create a mild to moderate pulling, or ‘drawing’ sensation.
Gua sha is a massage technique which uses the edge of a ceramic spoon, or of a specialised gua sha tool, to scrape areas of skin to increase circulation.
Moxibustion uses the herb Ai Ye (Artemesia vulgaris). The herb is burnt over an acupuncture point to warm the body or to increase circulation. It may be attached to the end of the needle to bring warmth to a direct point, or moved above an area of the body for more general application.
HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL I NEED?
This depends on many things - the condition that is being treated, how long you have had it, your age and general state of health, things you may be doing to help yourself, and your response to treatment. For example if you are relatively young and in good general health, and have pain from a recent injury, this may only need 2-3 treatments. If you have had a chronic problem with digestion that has made you tired and run down, this may take several months. Some people respond quickly and others experience gradual improvement.
Initial visit (90mins) $90
Follow-up (45-60mins)
$60 Herbal pills are between
$10 - $15 for one week’s supply.
Concession (students, seniors, healthcare-card holders)- Initial visit $60,
follow-up $45.
ABOUT KATHLEEN
Kathleen holds a Bachelor of Human Biology (Chinese Medicine major) and a Bachelor of Chinese Medicine from RMIT university. Her experience includes an internship at the Chinese Medicine hospital in Nanjing, China, a semester at the Victoria University student clinic, and time at the Windana clinic in St.Kilda. She is registered with the Chinese Medicine Registration Board of Victoria and is a member of the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association.
For an appointment, call Inspire Chiropractic on 03 9830 2227.
QUALIFICATION DETAILS
Acupuncture, Cupping, Traditional Chinese Medicine
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