Emma Brinkmann - Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine Castlemaine

What can Chinese Medicine and acupuncture help with/what do you treat?

Chinese Medicine can help with a diverse range of problems. People coming to see me as a practitioner present with such things as stress, fatigue, digestive issues (irritable bowel, indigestion), menstrual issues (pain, amenorrhoea), fertility support, pregnancy related issues or support, birth, postpartum, anxiety, headaches, migraine, adrenal fatigue, peri-menopause and menopause related issues, pain due to injuries, auto-immune conditions. The list continues! Some people like to use acupuncture to help maintain a degree of balance in the body and mind, alleviating stress and improving the overall quality of life.

Is acupuncture painful?

There may be a sensation associated with the insertion of needles, however it is not painful. Most people find acupuncture a pleasant and relaxing experience. My approach is particularly gentle, having trained in gentle Japanese forms of needling and moxibustion. I don’t believe pain is necessary to get results from treatment.

What do i expect from a typical treatment?

Firstly we discuss what you would like to achieve with your health. Usually this involves me asking a lot of questions about your body and mind and some of your lifestyle habits (such as nutrition) and about your environment including relationships. I listen to your responses and anything else you feel is relevant. I also use tongue and pulse diagnosis as well as palpation on some other areas of the body such as the abdomen. These are other ways of listening to the body to gather more information so that i can best design a treatment plan for you. We then move to the table where i use massage (to help the body settle and relax) and acupuncture as well as moxibustion and cupping depending on your individual needs. I then let you rest and unwind for a while with the needles in. Before you leave i will give you some things to follow-up at home (yes - homework!) - dietary changes and supplements, meditation and other lifestyle changes.