- Do I need a referral from a GP to see a Chinese Medicine Practitioner?
- Do I need to tell my GP that I am having acupuncture treatments?
- Do I need to bring my test/scan results, etc?
- How long does the treatment go for?
- Will I notice the effect straight away?
- How many times do I have to come back?
- Can I still take my current medication when I have Acupuncture/Chinese Medicine treatment?
- When is the best time to take herbal medicine?
- Is Acupuncture and herbs safe for pregnant women?
- Can babies/children have acupuncture?
- When is acupuncture and Chinese medicine not suitable?
- Is there anything I can do to make the treatment more effective?
- Why do you take my pulse and look at my tongue?
- What is the 5 Element theory?
- You said that my Heart is weak; do I have to see my Heart specialist, etc?
- Can I claim the treatment from medicare?
Do I need a referral from a GP to see a Chinese Medicine Practitioner?
A Doctor’s referral is not necessary when seeing a Chinese Medicine Practitioner.
Do I need to tell my GP that I am having acupuncture treatments?
Informing your GP about your acupuncture treatment can help your GP manage your condition much better. If you are under a care of a GP I always try and work with your existing treatment plan.
Do I need to bring my test/scan results, etc?
Yes, if you have test results it is a good idea to bring it along so that the Chinese Medicine Practitioner can become more familiar with your condition.
How long does the treatment go for?
Initial Consultation including treatment goes for about 1 hour approximately 30min. Of screening and consultation and 20 minutes of treatment time. Return consultation including treatment goes for 30-45 minutes approximately 15 minutes follow up consultation and 20 minutes treatment.
Will I notice the effect straight away?
Generally, after every acupuncture treatment you will feel the difference straight away. Chinese herbal medicine can take between one to seven days before it takes effect.
How many times do I have to come back?
The number of treatments depends on many factors such as the severity of the condition, how long the patient has been suffering from the condition, the location and the cause of the problem. However we try and explain to you on your first visit how many times is needed to come back and we also explain why you have to come back.
Can I still take my current medication when I have Acupuncture/Chinese Medicine treatment?
Yes, you can still take your current medication with Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine as long as you take them at least 1 hour away from any other medication.
When is the best time to take herbal medicine?
Depending on the condition but it is always good to take herbal medicine in an empty stomach. At least 1hour before or after a meal or before bed. Always take at least 1 hour away from any other medication that you may be taking.
Is Acupuncture and herbs safe for pregnant women?
If you are pregnant, you can still continue your Chinese medicine treatment. In fact, a lot of women find that their pregnancy, labor and delivery are much easier if they have acupuncture treatments throughout their pregnancy. However, there are still some Chinese herbs and acupuncture points that are contraindicated during pregnancy. Therefore, make sure you let us know if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant.
Can babies/children have acupuncture?
Yes, Acupuncture is very safe for Babies and Children, i nfact I started treating my children with acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine sing they were babies and in most cases children and babies respond very quickly to treatment that they recover a lot faster than adults. We can also use Laser acupuncture as an alternative to acupuncture needles.
When is acupuncture and Chinese medicine not suitable?
Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine is suitable for almost all conditions. Certain conditions may be limited in the acupuncture points that can be used as well as the Chinese Herbal Medicine that can be prescribed. For example, in pregnant women certain points cannot be used as this may bring on labor. Also acupuncture treatment is not suitable for patients that are intoxicated and famished patients.
Is there anything I can do to make the treatment more effective?
Yes. Your lifestyle plays a vital role in your recovery process. In fact, more often than not, it is the imbalance in the lifestyle itself that makes you feel unwell. We have a corrective care program that will also look at your lifestyle, diet which has a more mind and body approach to treatment.
Why do you take my pulse and look at my tongue?
The tongue and the pulse is a mirror of the body and internal organs to let us know what is going on inside the body. This gives us a good indication of the current status of your organs and also where the disease is situated.
What is the 5 Element theory?
The Five Element Theory is one of the tools that used to help diagnose and treat your condition. The theory also makes the diagnosis much simpler to be explained. For example, according to the Five Element Theory Fire represents heart and Water is kidneys. Insufficient kidney water (which can manifest as night sweats, dryness etc.) can result into overactive heart fire which may result to insomnia, palpitations etc.
You said that my Heart is weak; do I have to see my Heart specialist, etc?
Chinese medicine has its own unique way of looking at the body compared to western medicine. For example, the functions and concepts of organs, including the heart, in Chinese medicine is completely different from western medicine. Therefore, when we talk about the organs in Chinese medicine we are only talking about it in Chinese medicine sense not the Western Medicine organ.
Can I claim the treatment from medicare?
Acupuncture treatment from a Chinese Medicine Practitioner cannot be claimed from medicare. However if you have Private Health insurance with the right coverage you may be able to claim your treatment.