Questions & Answers

What is...

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• Acupuncture
• EFT
• Kinesiology
• Lymphatic therapy
• Medical massage
• Remedial massage
• Sports massage
• Therapeutic massage
• Massage therapy
• Deep tissue massage
• What type of massage

Acupuncture

Acupuncture aims to restore balance and harmony to the energetic flow of your body. Can be used to aid most`musculoskeletal or neurological ailments.Therapeutic Techniques.

You and Your Acupuncturist…

For your first consultation, your acupuncturist will need to know some personal details, but most importantly will require a full run down on your health. They will need to know about any previous illnesses and how they were treated.

It is important to advise the acupuncturist if you are taking any prescribed medication or involved in any other form of treatment, or you are taking any supplements or herbal products, as some treatments and medications could have an adverse effect on the outcome of the acupuncture.

For most treatments you will need to remove your outer clothing and lie down on the table provided.
Usually treatments will take between 30 minutes and an hour.

Often your acupuncturist will prescribe some Chinese herbs for you as well.

These herbs are inexpensive and some practitioners can obtain them for you. Otherwise they are easily found in good Chinese herb shops.

Sometimes, in consultation with your practitioner, a change in your lifestyle may be suggested. Many symptoms may diminish or eased or completely disappear if certain foods are avoided or by eating different varieties.

Try to follow the advice given – in most instances it should assist your treatment. In some instances not following the advice may mean that the treatment is not as successful as it could be.

What can acupuncture help?

Acupuncture is used to treat almost everything in China, but in the West it has been found to be very effective on a range of chronic diseases such as asthma, sinus problems, arthritis, rheumatism, stress, migraine, stomach complaints, unspecific muscle pains, insomnia, period pains and many more.

How is acupuncture done?

At various points of the body, the acupuncturist inserts tiny metal pins a few millimetres into the skin.

Does acupuncture hurt?

Most people feel only a slight prick as the needle is placed and sometimes you may feel a tingling sensation as the nerve endings are stimulated.

Will acupuncture work?

Acupuncture has been used by the Chinese for thousands of years. For long periods acupuncture was the only medical treatment. In many parts of modern day China it is still the primary treatment and western scientists acknowledge its efficacy in a number of diseases and ailments. Sportsmen and dancers who regularly strain or damage muscles use it and thousands have obtained relief where conventional medical techniques have failed.

How does acupuncture work?

Research is still being carried out but it appears that acupuncture stimulates specific nerve points throughout the body and these points send messages back to the brain which alters its pain and hormonal systems in response. Acupuncture can also raise or lower blood pressure, increase disease fighting white blood cells and stimulate cell growth.

Are there any diseases which acupuncture cannot treat?

Sometimes a serious disease will have too great a hold on the body from being untreated for too long for acupuncture to be properly effective. There are also a number of notifiable diseases (such as hepatitis and venereal diseases) which Australian acupuncturists are forbidden by law to treat.

How long does an acupuncture treatment take?

The average treatment will last between 30 minutes and an hour.

How long will acupuncture take to work?

This depends on your complaint but often some relief is experienced immediately if you are suffering from severe pain. After three or four visits you should be experiencing some improvement in your condition. However, it is unrealistic to expect miracle results after one or two treatments – sometimes they do happen, but it has, after all, usually taken several years for your body to develop these problems and a couple of treatments cannot cure years of neglect or misuse.

How will I feel after the acupuncture session?

After a first treatment, many clients report feeling totally relaxed and freed from stress. They will have a good night’s sleep and often have new energy in their life. If you have a headache or other severe pain, it may disappear during treatment. The general feeling of well-being should continue with subsequent treatments.

How many acupuncture treatments should I need?

This depends on the nature of your complaint but for a typical complaint of hay fever or migraine or arthritis, your acupuncturist will probably want to see you for several visits over a period which will be discussed with you during your consultation.

Are there any side effects or after effects from acupuncture?

There are no side effects or after effects from acupuncture – apart from the good ones already mentioned.

Is there any danger of catching anything from acupuncture?

Acupuncturists have to adhere to a strict regime of cleanliness and hygiene. The standards are very stringent and have been set by Government health departments and equipment and consulting rooms are inspected regularly. There is no danger of contracting any disease from acupuncture because all needles are sterilised and clinics must maintain high standards of hygiene. Acupuncture needles very rarely penetrate the skin deeply enough to draw blood.

Does it matter if I am pregnant?

Yes. You need to advise your acupuncturist if you are pregnant or are trying to become pregnant.

Can children or old people be treated with acupuncture?

Yes. Children respond very well to treatment although very young children may be treated by laser beam or with acupressure. Old people also respond well to acupuncture.

Do I have to change my life style?

Not necessarily. Your acupuncturist may suggest that you modify your diet or lifestyle to help make your treatment more effective – you could be undoing the good the treatments are doing for your body.

Has acupuncture got anything to do with the supernatural, hypnotism or ‘fringe’ therapies?

Absolutely nothing to do with any of these. Acupuncture is a strictly practical form of medicine and you do not have to believe to make it work. It has nothing to do with ‘fringe’ medicines; however some acupuncturists also practice other natural health therapies such as iridology, naturopathy, massage or any number of modalities.

Who can do acupuncture?

Hundreds of people list themselves as acupuncturists in Australia, but only people registered with the appropriate associations and have completed a very intensive regime of study are registered to practice as acupuncturists. If you are uncertain about your acupuncturist’s qualifications, please ask to see these.

Are acupuncture pins the only form of treatment?

No. Sometimes the acupuncturists will use a laser beam machine to treat certain patients (especially children). Other cases will require a small electric current flowing through the needles to increase stimulation. Some illnesses may require Moxa treatment – that is, burning a small stick of special herbs just above certain points on the body. Often Chinese herbs will be prescribed – they are cheap and your acupuncturist may supply the herbs to you and advise you how to take them.

How much does acupuncture cost?

The cost is determined by the acupuncturist and is generally in line with other acupuncturists in the locality where the acupuncturist practices. At the time of making the appointment enquire as to the cost of treatment.

Can I get a health fund rebate for an acupuncture treatment?

Yes, many health funds acknowledge the benefits of acupuncture provided the acupuncturist is accredited with the appropriate authority and professional association. Again enquire about this at the time of making your appointment.

Is Acupuncture recognised by the medical profession and health authorities?

Yes, many doctors are now referring patients to acupuncturists. Some medical practitioners are also qualified acupuncturists.

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT):

EFT is a unique and powerful method of dealing with emotional stress and strain that most of us experience living in the 21st Century modern society. It can be used as a stand-alone treatment or in conjunction with other kinds of treatments to assist with conditions such as backache, headache, allergies, respiratory problems, weight loss, as well as generalised stress and anxiety, and also emotional / psychological issues such as phobias and addictions.

Kinesiology:

Kinesiology uses muscle testing to evaluate the quality of muscular response to assist in the restoration of energy pathways within the body.

Lymphatic therapy:

Lymphatic drainage therapy assists in reducing swelling caused by conditions that include sprains, strains and sometimes used in Sports Massage to assist in the healing of overused muscles.

Medical massage:

Medical massage focuses on providing rehabilitation of compromised muscles due to overuse or injury, working in consultation with your medical practitioner.

Remedial massage:

Remedial massage is the therapeutic application of massage for the restoration and maintenance of health and fitness; it is relaxing, and assists in the reduction of muscular aches and pains.

Sports massage:

Sports massage is applied to the serious (or not so serious) athlete for training, injury prevention, and rehabilitation and includes pre and post event assistance.

Swedish massage:

Swedish Massage is a collection of techniques designed for relaxation, using massage oils. The therapeutic effects include flexibility, relaxation of the nervous system, increased circulation of blood and lymph, removal of lactic acid and toxins, and stimulates the skin. Techniques

Therapeutic massage:

Therapeutic massage is a term that has arisen to highlight the healing aspect of touch. It is well recognised that the body responds positively to touch when it is applied in a gentle, positive and non-invasive manner.

 Deep tissue massage:

This is a massage technique that is applied to the deeper, core layers of the muscles of the body. This is achieved by the use of deep pressure applied by the therapist using elbows, thumbs, fingers and fist pressure to get to the deeper layers of muscles.
 
This type of massage requires the practitioner to have a greater awareness of the needs of the client.  A good understanding of anatomy and physiology is required so that undue discomfort is not caused to you while working on the deeper layers of muscles.
 
Deep tissue massage may assist with relieving chronic muscular pain and some types of muscular rehabilitation.

Massage therapy:

Massage therapy involves the gentle manoeuvring of muscles and soft body tissues, often with the addition of gentle pressure. Massage therapy covers a number of therapeutic approaches and may improve the functioning of the circulatory, lymphatic, muscular, skeletal and nervous systems. It may also help you to recover quicker from minor injury or illness.
 
Massage therapy sometimes uses friction type techniques to stimulate the soft tissue and relaxes the muscles by gentle stroking and kneading techniques. These types of techniques may assist in increasing blood circulation and lymph circulation while slowing breaking down scar tissue that has built up between the muscle fibres.

Massage therapy may help with a variety of health issues:

• allergies
• anxiety
• stress – acute and chronic
• chronic and acute pain
• circulatory problems
• depression
• digestive complaints
• headaches
• migraines
• insomnia
• assists in increasing movement in the joints
• may assist with carpal tunnel syndrome
• injuries sustained to muscles while playing sport (at any level)
• sitting too long hunched over in front of a computer or at a desk
• may assist with some type of whiplash injuries

 What type of massage will I have?

When a massage therapist has been practicing for a while, most often they have experience in a number of different styles and techniques and so their massage style becomes unique to them.

Commonly this may include Swedish, Remedial, Sports, Trigger Point, Muscle Energy Release, Lymphatic, Chinese, Shiatsu, Thai, Aromatherapy and any number of other styles which have been developed over the years (there are many different styles).

It all depends on the interests of the therapist. Basically the aim is to manage pain. How this is achieved is different to each practitioner. The objective is to have a happy, stress free and pain free client, who is able to participate fully in their day-to-day life.

What happens at my massage consultation?

Your massage practitioner will ask you a number of questions about your medical history and why you have come for a massage consultation. This is only to establish that there are no reasons why you should not be able to have a massage – there are some medical conditions where massage therapy is not appropriate – these are called contra-indications.

What do I have to do while during a massage session?

Breath and enjoy the experience.

How much does a massage session cost?

The cost is determined by the massage therapist and is generally in line with other massage therapists in the locality where the massage therapist practices.

At North Shore Natural Therapy Centre the cost is:

• 30 minute consultation - $45.00
• 45 minute consultation - $60.00
• 60 minute consultation - $75.00
• 90 minute consultation - $110.00
• (all prices are inclusive of GST)

Can I get a health fund rebate for a massage session?

Yes, many health funds acknowledge the benefits of massage therapy provided the massage therapist is accredited with the appropriate authority and professional association. Again enquire about this at the time of making your appointment.

Is massage therapy recognised by the medical profession and health authorities?

Yes, many doctors are now referring patients to massage therapists.