Jul 17 2005
Frequently Asked Questions
- What conditions can acupuncture treat?
- Does acupuncture hurt?
- Is acupuncture safe?
- How long does a treatment take?
- What are the side-effects of acupuncture?
- How many acupuncture points are used during a treatment?
- How much does a treatment cost?
- Can I have too much acupuncture?
- Can Acupuncture and TCM be combined with other treatments?
- What do I wear?
- How do I know who is registered as an acupuncturist?
- Can I claim acupuncture on my Private Health Insurance?
- Can acupuncture be bulk-billed through Medicare?
- Can I claim Acupuncture for WorkCover?
- Where is my nearest practitioner?.
- Who should not have acupuncture?
- How long is a course of acupuncture?
- Where are common acupuncture points located?
- How will I know if it is working?
- Can acupuncture be used for post-operative care
What conditions can acupuncture treat?
Acupuncture is effective in treating a range of conditions. This includes acute conditions- those with a sudden onset, which have occurred recently (e.g. sports injuries) or chronic conditions- those that have been problematic for a long time (e.g. lower back pain, diabetes). If you are interested in learning if acupuncture can help a specific condition, please use this site to investigate further.
Does acupuncture hurt?
Acupuncture needles are very fine gauge. Acupuncture needles are much thinner than needles (hypodermic syringes) used in vaccinations and injections. The sensation of an acupuncture needle is a little bit like a mosquito bite and this is sometimes followed by a dull, heavy feeling around the needle.
Is acupuncture safe?
In Australia, only single-use disposable acupuncture needles are used. Occasionally spot bleeding occurs at the needle site, though because the needles are very fine, this is very rare.
How long does a treatment take?
The first consultation, when a detailed history is taken, may take 1 to 2 hours. After the initial treatment, follow up treatments usually go for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
What are the side-effects of acupuncture?
There are very few side effects of acupuncture treatment. A feeling of euphoria, relaxation and general wellbeing is commonly experienced during and after the treatment and while this is not unpleasant, it may interfere with operating heavy machinery.
On very rare occasions, you may feel faint or nauseous during the treatment, in which case the practitioner will remove the needles and have you lie down for a few minutes until you feel better.
Occasionally there may be slight bruising around the acupuncture needle site. The bruises are usually no bigger than a 5 cent piece, and clear within a few days.
How many acupuncture points are used during a treatment?
This is a very difficult question as practitioners will often use different techniques depending on the condition. A general acupuncture treatment will require anywhere between 2 and 20 points, however in a recent survey most acupuncturists said 10-12 points was the average.
How much does a treatment cost?
In Australia, prices vary between practitioners, however most practitioners charge between $50- $80 and may charge more for the initial consultation which generally takes longer. Some practitioners will charge extra for other treatments such as massage and Chinese herbal medicine.
Can I have too much acupuncture?
In China, acupuncture is often given to patients every day. However, in Australia this may not be practical. Acupuncture once to twice a week is ideal during the initial “crisis” stage of an injury or condition and this can be gradually reduced to once a fortnight, once a month and once every three months when the injury or condition has improved. Regular, ongoing treatments are advised to maintain good health.
Can Acupuncture and TCM be combined with other treatments?
As a general rule, acupuncture complements other treatments (including osteopathy, chiropractic and physiotherapy etc). It is important to inform other practitioners, including your GP, if you are having acupuncture or taking Chinese Herbal Medicines. Equally, it is important that you inform your acupuncturist of other treatments you are having, or medications you are taking (including herbs and homeopathic remedies).
What do I wear?
There are acupuncture points all over the body. However, the most common points are on the arms and legs and on the back and abdomen (stomach). Wearing loose fitting, comfortable clothing is advised- to make points easily accessible and avoid any discomfort during the treatment.
How do I know who is registered as an acupuncturist?
All acupuncturists in Australia must belong to a professional registering organisation, for example the Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine of Australia Association (AACMA) or the Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS). If you are unsure, ask your local practitioner to verify which association they belong to.
Can I claim acupuncture on my Private Health Insurance?
In Australia, most Private Health Insurance companies offer rebates for acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Click here to view a comprehensive list of Private Health Insurance companies that recognise acupuncture and offer you rebates for your treatments.
Can acupuncture be bulk-billed through Medicare?
In Australia, Acupuncture can be claimed as a Medicare MBS Item if the practitioner is a medical doctor.
Can I claim Acupuncture for WorkCover?
Yes, acupuncture is recognised by WorkCover in Australia. For more information, contact the lead WorkCover organisation in your state or territory.
WorkCover New South Wales
Victorian WorkCover Authority
WorkCover Queensland
ACT WorkCover
WorkCover Western Australia
WorkCover Tasmania
Northern Territory
WorkCover South Australia
Where is my nearest practitioner?
Use the Natural Therapy pages fields above to find your nearest acupuncturist.
Who should not have acupuncture?
There are a few medical conditions which are not suitable for acupuncture. These are:
* Psychiatrically unwell
* Unable to give informed consent
* Intoxicated persons (alcohol or other drugs)
* Epilepsy
* Bleeding diathesis
How long is a course of acupuncture?
This is a difficult question as acupuncture treatments will vary for each person depending on the condition. Having a minimum of three sessions of acupuncture is advised in the first instance. This can be three times a week, once a week for three weeks or even every second week for six weeks. Many practitioners advise it may take about six weeks of weekly treatment for a condition to be noticeably relieved.
After these initial treatments, additional sessions may be required. If the condition is severe, up to 10 sessions may be required. Most acupuncturists will recommend regular treatments (for example one a month) to maintain good health and prevent the problem from reoccurring.
Where are common acupuncture points located?
Most major acupuncture points are on the arms (from the elbow to the fingers) and on the legs (from the knee down to the toes). There are also major points on the back in the muscles along the spine, and on the abdomen (around the umbilicus). Click here to view an acupuncture chart of all the points.
How will I know if it is working?
Depending on your condition, it may take a few treatments before you see the effects of acupuncture. What you will experience immediately is a feeling of relaxation which is usually noticeable in the first few minutes of treatment and may last several hours and sometimes several days. The effects of acupuncture are accumulative- the more you have it, the more you notice the results. If you are not getting the treatment response you want, talk to your practitioner about other TCM treatment or other treatment modalities.
Can acupuncture be used for post-operative care?
If you have just come out of hospital, you may like to consider acupuncture and TCM as part of your post-operative care plan. This would mean you would see a GP, your hospital specialist and an acupuncturist to help speed up your recovery process. The GP will be responsible for ensuring there are no infections following surgery, whereas your acupuncturist will help with pain management as well as rebuilding your immune system- to support your body to heal itself during recovery.
It is important you inform your GP and hospital specialist that you have having acupuncture and TCM. It is also important that you let your acupuncturist know what medication you have been prescribed. If you are unsure of what your medication is (or does), it is advised you talk to your GP or community pharmacist.
