Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an evolved ancient Chinese medical practice and a founding pillar of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). A safe, natural and drug free method.
Treatment areas include…..
Stress management and Emotional Well-being
Deactivating the sympathetic nervous system/fight-flight response, activating the para-sympathetic nervous system/rest and recharge response. Anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress.
Musculo-skeletal, Injury and Pain Issues
Back, neck and shoulder issues, hamstrings, quads and calves. Sprains, strains and tears plus pre/postoperative pain. Arthritis, carpal tunnel, golfers/ tennis elbow, frozen shoulder, protruding discs, nerve compression, plantar fasciitis, sciatica.
Headaches and Migraine Prevention
Sinus pain, tinnitus, trigeminal neuralgia, TMJ, Bells palsy. Tension headaches, migraines.
Digestive and Respiratory Complaints
Reflex, heart burn, nausea, abdominal distention and bloating, irritable bowel issues (IBS), diarrhea, constipation. Asthma, cough, tight chest, sinus issues.
Women’s Health and Menstrual care
Supporting hormone and mood balance, stress management. Menopause symptoms including hot flashes, difficulty sleeping and insomnia, fatigue, bladder issues. Menstrual pain and discomfort, PCOS, Endometriosis.
Pregnancy, Childbirth and Postpartum Care
Nausea & vomiting, anxiety & stress, pubis symphysis pain, lower back and neck pain, sciatica, constipation & hemorrhoids, indigestion & heart burn. Breech or posterior positions. Prebirth preparation (best started at 36weeks).
From the 1 October 2022, ACC covers specific maternal birth injuries including: Uterine prolapse, anterior/posterior wall prolapse, coccyx fracture or dislocation, symphysis pubis capsule or ligament tear.
Lisa was blessed to have been trained by Dr Debra Betts and worked in the Hutt Valley Hospital Antenatal clinic, treating pregnant women with Acupuncture and TCM.
Be Evidence Informed…..
The Acupuncture Evidence Project reviewed clinical trials that established the effectiveness of Acupuncture for 117 conditions including the positive effect for:
Headaches (tension-type and chronic)
Migraine prevention
Chronic lower back pain
Postoperative pain, nausea and vomiting
And the potential positive effect for:
Anxiety
Back or pelvic pain during pregnancy
Depression
Insomnia
Neck and shoulder pain
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Sciatica
Common questions
ACC ↓
If you have an injury and it is covered by ACC, then bring your valid ACC45 number along to your appointment or please write it on your online consultation form. An ACC45 number is valid for 1 year from date of injury.
With this claim number you can see a Physiotherapist, Chiropractor, Osteopath etc AND an Acupuncturist at the same time! There is consistent evidence that Acupuncture is a useful complement to other conservative treatments like Physiotherapy, Exercise-based therapy, Osteopath etc.
In clinic, I have treated neck/shoulder/arm/back/wrist sprains, achilles tendons post surgery, rolled/fractured ankles and more. Regular treatment speeds your injuries recovery, reduces pain medication and even puts a smile on your face.
How Acupuncture works ↓
It is a safe method involving the safe insertion of fine single use needles into various Acupuncture points along pathways called meridians which hold ‘Qi’-an energy that flows through the meridians throughout the body. When the flow of Qi is interrupted through stress, emotions, injury, illness, trauma, it creates disharmony internally.
How Acupuncture helps ↓
Acupuncture can help restore the flow of Qi and therefore good health and wellbeing. From a Western Scientific perspective, Acupuncture needling entering the skin, creates a cascade of signaling through fascia (connective tissue) involving the blood, nerves and immune systems.
Both the Peripheral/ Central Nervous systems, internal organs and hormonal system are stimulated and affected. Endorphins and other chemicals are released which may provide relief from the body/mind experience of pain. Acupuncture may effectively treat a wide range of acute and chronic ailments.
FAQs
Will it hurt?
Patients who are cautious of needles are always pleasantly surprise to feel how painless Acupuncture is. The fear is greater than the actual experience. Only fine small sterile single use needles are used.
Should I eat before my appointment?
Please eat a good meal a few hours before or a little something prior to get the best out of your treatment. We are moving stuck energy, toxins and tension. Having food in your belly provides you with the substance needed to support you during this process. You may feel ungrounded, dizzy and/or nausea without food.
What will I feel?
You may feel the 'de qi' sensation which is felt as a dull heavy or pulling sensation that may stay local or travel the length of the channel. This sensation can be influenced by manual manipulation of the needle.
Should I train before or after my treatment?
If you are training attempt to organize a rest period for 12-24 hours AFTER your appointment so you can get the best out of your treatment. Effects may range from mild to very tired. Sometimes you may notice an immediate difference or sometimes your condition may feel less than desirable for a few days after-which you may experience an significant improvement.
How long do they stay in for?
The needles stay in place for approximately 10-30minutes, during which most patients drift into a sweet relaxation or sleep state as the Parasympathic Nervous System (rest and digest) is triggered.
What should I do to take care of myself after treatment?
Drink a lot of water to help flush your system and support the process. Gentle walking/stretching/yoga can be helpful if you feel the need to move or else get plenty of rest and allow your body to make sense of the treatment and help to set in motion the body's innate healing response.
Children under 18 policy
For the safety and wellbeing of all clients, children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian during appointments.
This aligns with my commitment to safe practice under the Children’s Act 2014.
General Guidelines regarding Acupuncture and Research Evidence:
The longer you have had a condition, the more treatments you may need over time. The shorter you have had a condition, the less treatments you may likely need.
Acupuncture has long term benefits/effects when there is regular treatment over time- it has an accumulative effect so will keep working after your stop long term treatments.
Pain is reduced (scored via pain scores/questionnaires in research) with an immediate analgesic effect similar to codeine and pethidine.
Acupuncture outperforms usual care which includes an intake of Pain medications.
Acupuncture increases energy levels and general wellbeing (scored via test scores/questionnaires).