Professional Services
TCM Acupuncture
Acupuncture is the practice of placing very fine, single-use, sterile, stainless steel needles into the skin at precise locations to stimulate the bodies natural healing abilities in response to illness or injury. Spanning 3000+ years of clinical practice and innovation it is the oldest mainstream medical model in the world and has been traditionally utilised in the treatment of a wide variety of ailments.
In 2017 the Acupuncture Evidence Project was published by two Australian industry leaders and highly respected Acupuncturists Dr John McDonald and Dr Stephen Janz. To date, the study is the most comprehensive review of the current scientific evidence detailing the efficacy of Acupuncture. The results indicated that 117 different ailments spanning across all bodily systems responded positively to Acupuncture treatment. This led the researchers to conclude:
“It is no longer possible to say that the effectiveness of Acupuncture is because of the placebo effect, or that is it useful only for musculoskeletal pain”.
To read the Acupuncture Evidence Project for yourself click here.
Electro-Acupuncture
Electroacupuncture (EA) is a relatively new innovation of Chinese Medicine. The technique was developed in China in the 1950’s when Acupuncturists started to experiment with it for surgical anaesthesia. Acupuncture has long been used for its potent analgesic properties however constant manual stimulation of the needles were required throughout surgical operations. The EA device allowed for constant stimulation of the needles which eliminated this need. EA has since been adopted into everyday practice for the use in the treatment of a wide range of ailments.
EA involves attaching the device through clips onto the Acupuncture needles before stimulating them with a mild electric current. EA is ideal to adopt during treatments that respond well to stronger needle stimulation. Your Acupuncturist can adjust the frequency, intensity, pulse and duration depending on the reason you are seeking treatment.
PLEASE NOTE: Electro-Acupuncture is not offered as a stand alone treatment. It is incorporated into your Acupuncture treatment if required at the discretion of your Acupuncturist.
Cosmetic Acupuncture
Cosmetic Acupuncture is a great alternative to more invasive, toxic and expensive anti-aging beauty protocols. Cosmetic Acupuncture involves inserting several very small, fine needles into the face at very specific locations. The most common cosmetic concerns we see in our clinic include but are not limited to:
Ageing: wrinkles, fine lines, loss of muscle tone, sagging skin.
Fluid retention: Face/chin puffiness, “bags” or fluid accumulation under the eye.
Skin Blemishes: Skin discolouration, acne, acne scarring, redness.
Skin dehydration: Dry, flaky skin, redness and lack of lustre.
Cosmetic Acupuncture Treatment Frequency: 2 x week for 6 weeks. 1 x week for 3 weeks. Total 15 treatments. Follow-up treatments are recommended to maintain treatment results usually every 1-3 months (depending on your lifestyle). To maintain skin youthfulness a full treatment course is recommended every 3-5 years. Private health rebates available. For more information email info@dunsboroughacupuncture.com
PLEASE NOTE: Cosmetic Acupuncture will significantly reduce the effectiveness of Botox treatment. It is not recommended to undergo both treatments simultaneously. Patients should wait at least one month after receiving any other form of cosmetic procedure before undergoing Cosmetic Acupuncture treatment (Dermabrasion, laser treatments etc).
Traditional Cupping
Traditional fire cupping is a manual technique often used in conjunction with Acupuncture and can affect tissue as far as 4 inches (10cm) into the body. Cupping involves using fire to remove oxygen from within the glass cup and therefore creating a vacuum before applying it to the skin. Through this mechanism negative pressure is exerted and the soft tissue is “sucked” into the cup leading to a cascade of desired physiological effects including but not limited to:
Creating negative pressure. This pulling action encourages the separation of adhesions (tissue that is fused or growing together where it doesn’t normally).
Detoxification via extracting interstitial debris trapped within the soft tissues.
Vasodilation of blood vessels which promotes increased blood and oxygen delivery to injured or inflamed tissues quickening the healing response.
Enhanced fluid exchange which supports cellular diffusion, filtration, osmosis and active transport in addition to providing lubrication to dehydrated, malnourished or ischemic (blood deficient) tissues.
PLEASE NOTE: Cupping is not offered as a stand alone treatment. It is incorporated into your Acupuncture treatment if required at the discretion of your Acupuncturist.
Chinese Remedial Massage
(An Mo Tui Na)
Traditional Chinese Remedial Massage (aka Tuina) is another externally applied manual therapy rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine theory and practice. Tuina’s history and origins, like Acupuncture, can be backdated 3000+ years.
Tuina is a clinical specialty in Traditional Chinese Medicine and the practitioner is required to understand the same traditional medical model that the Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine practitioners employ to successfully diagnose and treat their patients. Tuina practitioners also have extensive knowledge of the Meridian and Acupoint systems however utilises traditional massage techniques to stimulate them instead of Acupuncture needles. Acupuncture and Tuina are often employed together within the same treatment as they are extremely complimentary to one another.
PLEASE NOTE: Tuina is not offered as a stand alone treatment. It is incorporated into your Acupuncture treatment if required at the discretion of your Acupuncturist.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion (aka Moxa) is the oldest of the Traditional Chinese Medicine healing disciplines. It is a gentle and nourishing technique used to warm Acupuncture points by burning a herb called Mugwort. Moxibustion can be used alone or more commonly in conjunction with Acupuncture to regulate the physiological functions of the body and to enhance the desired clinical outcomes of treatment.
Traditionally Moxibustion has been used in the treatment of ailments associated with underlying imbalances pertaining to:
Deficiency: When the body is lacking in nourishment, vital substances or is in a weakened state due to chronic illness or injury.
Stagnation: When bodily systems are sluggish and not performing optimally.
PLEASE NOTE: Moxa is not offered as a stand alone treatment. It is incorporated into your Acupuncture treatment if required at the discretion of your Acupuncturist.
Gua Sha
Gua Sha literally translates as “to scrape sand”. Gua “to scrape” and Sha “sand” is a term used to describe the action of scraping until small red dots appear on the skin during treatment. As old as Chinese Medicine itself, Gua Sha has long been adopted clinically by TCM practitioners however it is also common place for self-treatment within Chinese homes.
Gua Sha is a manual, non-invasive treatment applied with a specific tool to the external portion of the body. Although the “Sha” (redness) that appears on the skin during treatment may look it, it is not painful. Gua Sha is often used in conjunction with Acupuncture and/or Tuina primarily to treat Musculoskeletal concerns however it is indicated in the treatment of a variety of ailments.
PLEASE NOTE: Gua Sha is not offered as a stand alone treatment. It is incorporated into your Acupuncture treatment if required at the discretion of your Acupuncturist.
Chinese Dietetics
Chinese Dietetics (aka Chinese Dietary Therapy) is rooted in the understanding that food is medicine and is adopted both to prevent and in the treatment of imbalance and illness. In the prevention of illness Chinese Dietetics promotes a balanced, seasonal diet which maintains optimal internal functioning of our vital organs. When adopted during the treatment of illness Chinese Dietetics focuses on both the nutritional makeup and the energetic properties of food to reintroduce into the body what is lacking.
It is common for your Acupuncturist to ask you to adopt specific eating principles and to incorporate more of, or cut out certain foods whilst you are undergoing treatment. This is to educate the patient on what to eat to support the resolution of their symptoms and what foods to avoid to prevent the exacerbation of their symptoms.
In addition to dietary amendments your Acupuncturist may also suggest additional lifestyle adjustments in areas like sleep, stress management and exercise to support treatment outcomes.
PLEASE NOTE: Chinese Dietetics is not offered as a stand alone treatment. It is incorporated into your Acupuncture treatment if required at the discretion of your Acupuncturist.