Acupuncture
WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE?
Acupuncture is a system of healing that has been practiced for over 2,500 years and originated in China and other Far Eastern cultures.
Acupuncture is a gentle treatment that focuses on helping the whole person, aiming to improve their overall health and well-being and today it is widely used and accepted all over the world.
Rather than just focusing on specific signs and symptoms, as practitioners, we aim to explore the underlying cause of disease.
Acupuncture is carried out by inserting a few fine needles into points carefully chosen on your body. The points are linked to “channels” or “meridians” along which energy is known as “Qi” flows. When energy becomes disturbed or blocked, this can lead to emotional distress or physical illness.
Acupuncture stimulates the body’s natural healing powers by encouraging the patient’s own energy to return to health and balance.
Whether you want to have acupuncture as a standalone therapy or alongside other conventional treatment you are receiving, Chinese Medicine theory provides a firm foundation upon which to base a personalised treatment plan to support your recovery and well-being.
First Session
Frequently Asked Questions
Most people find acupuncture very relaxing. It is hard to describe the sensation felt, one person will experience the feeling differently from another. Rarely does it hurt, and if it does, the feeling is only momentarily. Patients often describe the needle sensation as a tingling or dull ache, a warm, or an alive sensation. This is one of the signs that the body’s “qi” has been stimulated.
Annabel uses high-quality single-use sterile needles. The needles are fine, and it is unlike having an injection, where the needles are solid, not hollow.
If you are currently receiving treatment from your Doctor, it is recommended you tell them you are planning to have acupuncture. Do not stop taking your medication without professional guidance. Please advise Annabel about any medication and supplements you are taking as this may affect your response to the acupuncture treatment.
The acupuncture treatment may enable you to reduce or even stop taking some forms of medication, but you should always consult your Doctor regarding any change of prescription. Acupuncture works well either as a stand-alone therapy or in combination with other therapies.
As a traditional acupuncturist, acupuncture is not covered under Medicare in Australia currently. There are some exceptions where Medicare may cover acupuncture if it performed by a medical practitioner (such as a GP) as part of a broader medical treatment plan.
As a registered practitioner with AHPRA and a member of the professional body AACMA, Annabel is covered by a broad range of insurer’s. Generally, acupuncture is included under extras or ancillary cover where typically policies offer partial reimbursement for acupuncture treatments up to a certain annual limit.
As coverage details vary between policy holders, it is best to check your individual plans. HICAPS is also available at SA Integrated Health which means we can check what your reimbursement will be when your treatment is settled.
No referral is necessary to see an acupuncturist. You can directly book an appointment with a qualified and registered practitioner.