FAQs

Acupuncture is a technique used by Chinese medicine practitioners, which involves the insertion of fine, medical grade, single use needles into specific points on the body. These points lie on meridians which connect to internal organs and can therefore strengthen or reduce energy associated with that organ. In Chinese medicine, disease is seen as an imbalance of the energy of the internal organs and so Acupuncture’s aim is to rectify this imbalance and therefore alleviate disease.

Moxibustion is a technique used alongside acupuncture which involves the burning of a specific herb, mugwort (artemesia vulgaris or ai ye in Chinese) to strengthen and warm the body, stimulate blood flow, stimulate digestion, disperse knots in muscles and maintain general health. It can be burnt directly onto the skin or on the end of the needle. This therapy is extremely safe when performed by qualified practitioners and also has a calming effect.

Chinese medicine is one of the oldest forms of healthcare that exists today. It is based on the theory that our bodies are not just the sum of our parts, but an integrated energy exchange system between ourselves, each other and the environment. Disease is due to a disruption to these energies and therefore health can be restored by fixing them. Chinese medicine encompasses more than just acupuncture and Chinese herbal therapy. It also includes cupping, massage, exercise, meditation, lifestyle and dietary advice to bring the body into balance and therefore optimal health.

Mostly, it doesn’t feel like anything other than relaxing. You very rarely feel the needles being inserted, but you can feel a dull ache in the local area once the needle is in the right spot. Occasionally, a slight sting might be felt, but then very quickly disappears. For tight muscles, you may feel a ‘movement’ of energy in the tight spot once a needle is inserted. When moxa is lit on the end of the needle, you will feel warmth, similar to a warm blanket being placed over you.

Ideally, you should wear loose fitting clothing. As most acupuncture points used are located on your hands, feet, abdomen and back, we are able to move your clothing to reach the appropriate points. However, this can be difficult if you’ve just come from work or the gym so we of course have towels and appropriate draping methods, so if you need to remove any items of clothes, you will remain comfortable and unexposed.

Chinese medicine’s strength is in individual diagnosis and unique treatment plans. This question can be answered more specific to your condition after your initial consult with your practitioner, once they have an understanding of your diagnosis. Acupuncture is accumulative, so each week your response to treatment will result in increasingly improved benefits. Clinically, we see very few results for most conditions if you are having less than one treatment per week. The number of treatments also depends on your response and on whether you adjust any lifestyle and dietary factors that your practitioner advises

We use the best quality stainless steel needles to reduce friction on the skin and improve your acupuncture experience through pain-free treatments. Paige Waters has Japanese style training which offers a gentler needle technique. Pain may be experienced if your muscles are very tight or if you move once a needle as been inserted. You may experience a dull aching sensation when some needles are inserted but this quickly disappears and you can relax and enjoy the treatment.

Like any medical treatments, there are risks and side effects with acupuncture treatments, moxibustion and the ingestion of Chinese herbs. Unusual and extremely rare risks of acupuncture include; nerve damage, organ puncture, spontaneous miscarriage and infection. Burns and scarring are rare potential risks of moxibustion therapy. Side effects of inappropriately prescribed Chinese herbs may include constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, headaches or worsening of your condition. We only uses medical grade, fine, stainless steel, single-use acupuncture needles. We also diligently follow safety precautions for moxibustion therapy whilst maintaining a clean and safe environment, ensuring any of these risks are minimized. Paige Waters only practices therapies within her registration and qualifications so adverse events will always remain extremely rare.

Yes we do. We also have HiCAPS facilities so you can receive your rebate immediately. Contact your private health fund to seek individual advice on your rebate. You can quote item numbers 103 (initial consult) and 203 (follow up consult).

Yes. We only use high quality, medical grade, disposable, stainless steel acupuncture needles of either Serein, Sensei or Tempo brands.

20 to 30 minutes

Most people feel relaxed when getting up off the massage table. Some people may experience a frontal headache and drowsiness for the rest of the day and return to normal after a night’s rest. Some people report restful night’s sleep and improved energy. Some people feel nothing in particular. Every body is different in the way they respond.

Great question! In your first session, you will have a health questionnaire to fill in that will ask some detailed questions about your complaint, current medications and associated signs and symptoms. Your practitioner will then have a detailed chat with you about your complaint, your treatment goals, describe your diagnosis from a Chinese medicine point of view and discuss your treatment options and offer diet, lifestyle and supplement support to assist with your treatment plan. An acupuncture treatment will then commence after you feel comfortable with this information. You will get the chance to relax for 20-30 minutes before the needles are taken out, ending your first session.

Dry needling is a technique used by General Practitioners, Physiotherapists, Chiropractors, Osteopaths and massage therapists for the treatment of  local musculoskeletal pain through the insertion of needles into myofascial trigger points. Some of these points do correlate with acupuncture points, however their use is very different. Dry needling is great for alleviating musculoskeletal pain, however, it is not effective in treating internal conditions. As many musculoskeletal conditions are caused by internal imbalances, this treatment is seen as a ‘band-aid’ treatment if the source of the problem is not treated. Acupuncture addresses the root cause of disease, as well as the presenting symptoms. The training is also very different for practitioners of these two therapies. Registered acupuncturists in Australia need to have a four year minimum science degree and hundreds of hours of clinical practice before being able to practice. Dry needling courses currently offered in Australia have approximately 12 hours of a practical needling component. Keep in mind that most adverse events which have been reported in Australia as a result of acupuncture, have been caused by unqualified or unregistered practitioners. To find a registered Acupuncturist near you, go to the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia www.chinesemedicineboard.gov.au

I have a Bachelor degree in Exercise Science and a Masters Degree in Applied Science in Acupuncture. This means I have a solid science and human physiology background and had completed 465 hours of clinical practice in Acupuncture and Chinese medicine before graduating. I have worked as a Registered Acupuncturist for 8 years now (2022). I am registered with the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia (#CMR0001845264), a national organisation which exists to protect the public (you) from the risks of unqualified practitioners. I am also a member of the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Board of Australia (AACMA #3013) who work to ensure a high standard of ethical and professional practice of Chinese practitioners in Australia.

Yes of course. Having your partner there can be really supportive. I do suggest that they leave the room when you have the ‘rest’ time of the treatment to get the most out of your experience. If the partner you’re bringing is also going to be the biological father, it could be good to make a double appointment. Fertility support is really about both sperm and egg health. Just let me know at the time of booking.

Unfortunately not. The clinic is busy and I am in and out of two rooms. It wouldn’t be safe for them or you and you really wouldn’t get the most out of your experience. There is a cafe downstairs though, so please bring a partner or friend or parent with you and let them relax downstairs while you relax in your treatment.

The best time to make an appointment is as soon as you are able to. In your first consultation, we go through your entire history, goals and expectations and make a plan that works for you. There is so much more information you get from your appointment than just an acupuncture treatment and I so often hear women say they wish they’d been earlier. It can’t be too early to start implementing healthy changes but it is possible to be too late.

I don’t recommend having acupuncture on day one of your menstrual cycle (day one of bleeding). But from day two onwards is fine. Your lining starts growing from the second day of your period so work to support a health lining needs to start early.

In an ideal world, I’d see you three months before the start of your stimulated IVF cycle. We would work to support egg health and address health complaints contributing to your infertility first. Then during your IVF cycle, I have a specific protocol that starts from day two of your cycle. But it’s never too late either. If you first hear of acupuncture support two days before transfer, we can do the pre and post appointments and reassess once you have your blood test.

Yes, of course. I do recommend making at least an initial consultation prior to transfer day though. I don’t like to add the stress of meeting a new practitioner, finding a new location, going through your case history for the first time on your embryo transfer day. It’s always good to meet first, know where you’re parking, how far away from the IVF clinic it is and have some familiarity with your practitioner.

Not if performed by a qualified acupuncturist with specific training in early pregnancy support. There are contraindicated acupuncture points for pregnancy. These points should be avoided in the first trimester where possible. Acupuncture can actually be used to support early pregnancy and prevent miscarriage and is something I recommend in the first trimester.