Frequently Asked Questions
It is important to understand that acupuncture needles are nothing like the needles used to administer injections or collect blood (called hypodermic needles). Hypodermic needles have thick, rigid shafts with an angled tip that is designed to slice through skin and muscle (see size comparison to the right). In contrast, acupuncture needles are very thin – about the diameter of a cat’s whisker. Because they are so thin, acupuncture needles are very flexible. In addition, they have a highly polished surface and a rounded tip that is designed to pass painlessly through the skin and body tissues without causing damage or bleeding…
Acupuncture is a process. It is very rare that a problem can be resolved in one treatment. In China, a typical protocol for any chronic condition is acupuncture 2-3 times a week for at least 2 months. Most of our patients don’t need that many treatments, but virtually everyone requires a course of treatment in order to get root cause resolutions.
On your first visit, we will suggest a course of treatment, which can be anything from “we’d like to see you once a week for six weeks” to “we’d really like to see you every day for the next four days.” This suggestion is based on our experience with treating your particular condition. If you don’t come in often enough or long enough, you may not achieve the full benefits. The purpose of our sliding scale is to help you make that commitment. If you have questions about how long it will take to see results, please ask us.
Please keep in mind that due to the nature of natural medicine and the FDA requirements we cannot give advice on timelines or the expected results of treatments given by any practitioners. Please contact our clinic if you would like to schedule a personal consultation and get more information.
Acupuncture healing is founded on a theory that electromagnetic energy runs through our body and helps our body stay balanced and healthy.
When the energy flow is disrupted by internal disharmony or external cause, our body displays ‘alarm signs’ that something is wrong. Some 5,000 years ago, Chinese healers discovered distinct energy pathways. These pathways, or vessels, may be likened to electrical antennas sending electromagnetic vibrational waves throughout the body. The energy surfaces in precisely located neurovascular nodes (points) which are needled using extremely thin, sterile and disposable pins to a precise depth at a precise angle.
Acupuncture treatment protocols can be based on empirical (observational) evidence or research based evidence. Some research suggests that Acupuncture can stimulate the communication pathways in the body to assist with a variety of health concerns.
The relaxation of an acupuncture session in itself may be considered healing, with most clients feeling calm, grounded and even elated after Acupuncture treatment.
This depends on several factors, including the complexity of your condition, the extent of lab testing required, the combination of supplements, herbs and other therapies needed during treatment. For more information on our pricing click here. This depends on several factors, including the complexity of your condition, the extent of lab testing required, the combination of supplements, herbs and other therapies needed during treatment. For more information on our pricing click here.
This depends on several factors, including the complexity of your condition, the extent of lab testing required, the combination of supplements, herbs and other therapies needed during treatment. For more information on our pricing click here. This depends on several factors, including the complexity of your condition, the extent of lab testing required, the combination of supplements, herbs and other therapies needed during treatment. For more information on our pricing click here.
Yes. Prior to your initial evaluation, you will need to register on our online patient portal, answer our health questionnaires and upload any medical records/ lab results from the past 12 months you would like Dr. Rich to review. We ask that you submit all questionnaires and records at least 5 days before your initial evaluation to give him sufficient time to prepare. Once you schedule your initial evaluation you will receive a Welcome email from our practice that includes our Welcome Packet. This packet is very important as it contains instructions on how to register on the patient portal and fill out the questionnaires.
Acupuncture is not designed to replace or even compete with pharmaceutical and surgical medicine, but rather to form part of your holistic health care plan.
Please visit your General Practitioner or specialist regularly, and ensure that you have received the required or suggested testing for your condition before commencing Acupuncture treatment.
Acupuncture needles aren’t actually needles at all. Only medical needles are are true ‘needles’ as they are hollow, and thus designed to administer a drug into a patient or remove a sample from the patients tissues or fluids.
Acupuncture needles (pins) are solid, and remarkably thin and flexible. Some are thinner than your skin can detect, and actually pass between skin cells rather than damaging them meaning they are completely painless.
Additionally, acupuncture needles are kept sterile incased in a thin plastic tube which is depressed against the skin. This serves two purposes. It keeps the needle clean and sterile and it reduces the sensory perception of the needle being inserted.
Acupuncture is designed to be calming and relaxing, and many clients find they actually fall asleep during treatment.
Acupuncture healing is founded on a theory that electromagnetic energy runs through our body and helps our body stay balanced and healthy.
When the energy flow is disrupted by internal disharmony or external cause, our body displays ‘alarm signs’ that something is wrong. Some 5,000 years ago, Chinese healers discovered distinct energy pathways. These pathways, or vessels, may be likened to electrical antennas sending electromagnetic vibrational waves throughout the body. The energy surfaces in precisely located neurovascular nodes (points) which are needled using extremely thin, sterile and disposable pins to a precise depth at a precise angle.
Acupuncture treatment protocols can be based on empirical (observational) evidence or research based evidence. Some research suggests that Acupuncture can stimulate the communication pathways in the body to assist with a variety of health concerns.
The relaxation of an acupuncture session in itself may be considered healing, with most clients feeling calm, grounded and even elated after Acupuncture treatment.
To register as an Acupuncturist in Australia, each practitioner must complete a Bachelor of Health Science (Acupuncture). Currently, other names are used to describe other styles of needling which have not had the training of this degree, thus can not be registered with AHPRA. Aus Acu supports registered Acupuncturists and encourages our patients to ensure they receive care from a qualified, trained Acupuncturist. Contact us for more information.
Yes. Prior to your initial evaluation, you will need to register on our online patient portal, answer our health questionnaires and upload any medical records/ lab results from the past 12 months you would like Dr. Rich to review. We ask that you submit all questionnaires and records at least 5 days before your initial evaluation to give him sufficient time to prepare. Once you schedule your initial evaluation you will receive a Welcome email from our practice that includes our Welcome Packet. This packet is very important as it contains instructions
on how to register on the patient portal and fill out the questionnaires.
Acupuncture needles aren’t actually needles at all. Only medical needles are are true ‘needles’ as they are hollow, and thus designed to administer a drug into a patient or remove a sample from the patients tissues or fluids.
Acupuncture needles (pins) are solid, and remarkably thin and flexible. Some are thinner than your skin can detect, and actually pass between skin cells rather than damaging them meaning they are completely painless.
Additionally, acupuncture needles are kept sterile incased in a thin plastic tube which is depressed against the skin. This serves two purposes. It keeps the needle clean and sterile and it reduces the sensory perception of the needle being inserted.
Acupuncture is designed to be calming and relaxing, and many clients find they actually fall asleep during treatment.
To register as an Acupuncturist in Australia, each practitioner must complete a Bachelor of Health Science (Acupuncture). Currently, other names are used to describe other styles of needling which have not had the training of this degree, thus can not be registered with AHPRA. Aus Acu supports registered Acupuncturists and encourages our patients to ensure they receive care from a qualified, trained Acupuncturist. Contact us for more information.
Yes. Prior to your initial evaluation, you will need to register on our online patient portal, answer our health questionnaires and upload any medical records/ lab results from the past 12 months you would like Dr. Rich to review. We ask that you submit all questionnaires and records at least 5 days before your initial evaluation to give him sufficient time to prepare. Once you schedule your initial evaluation you will receive a Welcome email from our practice that includes our Welcome Packet. This packet is very important as it contains instructions
on how to register on the patient portal and fill out the questionnaires.
Acupuncture is not designed to replace or even compete with pharmaceutical and surgical medicine, but rather to form part of your holistic health care plan.
Please visit your General Practitioner or specialist regularly, and ensure that you have received the required or suggested testing for your condition before commencing Acupuncture treatment.
Acupuncture is a process. It is very rare that a problem can be resolved in one treatment. In China, a typical protocol for any chronic condition is acupuncture 2-3 times a week for at least 2 months. Most of our patients don’t need that many treatments, but virtually everyone requires a course of treatment in order to get root cause resolutions.
On your first visit, we will suggest a course of treatment, which can be anything from “we’d like to see you once a week for six weeks” to “we’d really like to see you every day for the next four days.” This suggestion is based on our experience with treating your particular condition. If you don’t come in often enough or long enough, you may not achieve the full benefits. The purpose of our sliding scale is to help you make that commitment. If you have questions about how long it will take to see results, please ask us.
Please keep in mind that due to the nature of natural medicine and the FDA requirements we cannot give advice on timelines or the expected results of treatments given by any practitioners. Please contact our clinic if you would like to schedule a personal consultation and get more information.
Absolutely. Aus Acu strongly believes that a holistic medical treatment must respect both mainstream and complementary medicine. For many concerns, we will request our patients to first visit their General Practitioner before we commence Acupuncture treatment to ensure you are cleared from any medical condition which requires mainstream care.
If you have a preferred medical practitioner you currently visit, you may put us in contact with them directly. If not, we can refer you to one of our preferred co-practitioners in the area of medicine we think would help compliment your Acupuncture treatment.