Frequently Asked Questions

Is Acupuncture suitable for me
What should I do before treatment
What happens during a typical treatment
Will it hurt
What should one do after a treatment
How will I feel after acupuncture
Should I tell my doctor
Should I tell the acupuncturist of any medications I am taking
If after a course of treatment I am finding I don't need to continue to take my medication, what should I do
Is acupuncture available on the ACC
Why should I go to a NZRA member
Is Acupuncture safe
What should I look for in an acupuncturist
Will the needles be sterile
How many treatments will I need
Is there anything I should advise the Practitioner?
Is there a standard fee set by the acupuncturist for treatment
Do Acupuncturists only insert needles
What is Traditional Chinese Medicine
What is Acupuncture
What is Moxibustion
What is acupressure, Tui Na
What is cupping
What is Gua Shu
What is food therapy
What is Chinese Herbal Medicine
What is Qi Gong
What is Tai Qi
What is Qi
What is energy pathway or meridan
What is Yin and Yang

Is Acupuncture suitable for me ?

Yes. Anyone will derive benefits of acupuncture. Patient age ranges from new-born to well into the nineties. Acupuncture is used safely and effectively in pediatric care, although it is more usual for children below the age of four years to be treated with acupressure or laser acupuncture rather than needles. In addition to being used for illness it is also used as a preventative treatment.

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What should I do before treatment ?

Restrict food intake within an hour of your appointment as the process of digestion will alter the pattern of your acupuncture pulse. Also avoid alcohol and food or drinks (such as coffee) immediately prior to treatment as these can change the colour (which is used diagnostically) of your tongue.

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What happens during a typical treatment ?

A typical acupuncture treatment utilises five or more very thin stainless steel needles. These are inserted through the skin at acupuncture energy points on the body. As the needles are so thin, the patient only feels a slight sensation when inserted. The sensation of distention or tingling is often felt when the needle reaches the acupuncture point beneath the skin. The needles are left in position for approximately 15 to 20 minutes, after which time they are removed simply and painlessly. Depending on the condition being treated the points may also be gently stimulated with moxibustion, gentle turning or flicking or using electro acupuncture. Some patients notice an immediate improvement after the first visit, while others will notice a more cumulative effect over four or five treatments. Occasionally patients may notice a brief and temporary worsening of symptoms prior to an improvement after the first visit. More commonly there is a rapid improvement of the condition. Generally people experience a sense of well - being, relaxation or tiredness after a treatment.

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Will it hurt ?

No. Most new patients are amazed how painless acupuncture is. However, when the correct stimulus of the needle has been obtained and the energy has been activated, the patient may feel some heaviness, distension, tingling or electric sensation either around the needle or travelling up or down the affected energy pathway or meridian.

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What should one do after a treatment ?

Acupuncture changes the state of energy of the body and affects nerve and blood vessels as well as the tone within the muscles. For this reason, it is best to avoid heavy physical exertion immediately following a treatment. Avoidance of alcohol is also recommended. Otherwise no special precautions are necessary.

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How will I feel after acupuncture ?

Usually relaxed and calm. Occasionally you may feel tired or drowsy for a few hours if the treatment has been particularly strong or there may be a short term flair up of your symptoms as your Qi (energy) clears and rebalances itself.

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Should I tell my doctor?

It is advisable that you inform all healthcare professionals of treatments you are receiving as well as informing them of any medications that you might be taking.

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Should I tell the acupuncturist of any medications I am taking?

Yes. Certain medications and treatments can have an effect on the expected outcomes of your treatment.

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If after a course of treatment I am finding I don't need to continue to take my medication, what should I do?

As the body rebalances optimum dosage levels may indeed change. You should consult with your Medical Practitioner with any concerns you might have regarding prescribed medication as any changes to your prescribed medication should only be made by the prescribing Practitioner.

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Is acupuncture available on the ACC?

Yes, Member's of the NZRA are providers of Acupuncture services under ACC. Members of the public can be referred by most other ACC treatment providers and by their GP.

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Why should I go to a NZRA member?

NZRA practitioners are required to meet entry requirements that include training in acupuncture and western medical sciences appropriate to the practice of acupuncture. They also complete continuing education programmes in order maintain quality standards of care.

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Is Acupuncture safe?

Acupuncture is extremely safe when practised by a qualified practitioner.

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What should I look for in an acupuncturist?

A practitioner that is registered with a professional body such as NZRA that has the National Diploma of Acupuncture as a minimum standard and has appropriate insurance cover. Look for a practitioner with whom you feel comfortable, who will listen to your requests and who can explain clearly how the acupuncture treatment can assist you.

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Will the needles be sterile?

Members of the NZRA are required to use pre sterilised disposable single use needles and adhere to the NZRA National Skin Piercing Guidelines for Acupuncturists.

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How many treatments will I need?

Between four and eight treatments constitute a typical course, with treatment being provided 1 to 3 times a week. Treatment times range from 30 minutes to 1hour. Usually the first treatment is longer, as the Practitioner completes the case history and acupuncture diagnosis. In acute or early stages of an illness, quick and dramatic results can often be achieved. When an illness is more chronic it may require an extended period of treatment.

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Is there anything I should advise the Practitioner?

You should advise the practitioner if any of the following apply to you:

You are on Medications.

You are pregnant.

You are HIV/Aids.

You have hepatitis.

You have a bleeding disorder.

You have Diabetes.

You have Cancer.

You have Chronic Fatigue.

You have a pacemaker.

You have seizures.

You have a epilepsy.

You have a skin disease.

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Is there a standard fee set by the acupuncturist for treatment?

Practitioners set their own fees. The fee can vary depending on location and the complexity of each case. Some practitioners have special rates for unwaged persons. Contact the practitioners in your area before treatment to see what they charge for treatment.

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Do Acupuncturists only insert needles?

No. Acupuncture is just one aspect of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Practitioners are trained in Traditional Chinese Diagnosis, western medical sciences and the use of a number of adjunctive therapies. These can include moxibustion, which is the burning of the herb Artemisia Vulgaris over the affected area to provide warmth, Laser and electro-acupuncture, various types of massage such as acupressure, Tui Na, Cupping, Gua Sha, Food therapy, Chinese herbal medicine and Qi Gong.

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What is Traditional Chinese Medicine?

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a unique medical system that has been in use for 3000 years. TCM is the use of the ancient Chinese healing art of influencing and rebalancing the life forces of Yin and Yang within the body.

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What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture consists of the insertion of fine needles into a few carefully selected points on the body. The number of needles used varies from two or three to ten or more, and they are left in place for an average of twenty minutes. The total number of treatments required depends on the patient and the condition being treated.

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What is Moxibustion?

Moxibustion is the burning of a moxa (the herb Artemisia Vulgaris) over an area to provide warmth. It can be used as cigar shaped sticks, when lit they are held over the points, small balls placed on the end of needles or on top of ginger or salt.

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What is acupressure, Tui Na?

Tuina is a form of manual therapy. It is a modality of Chinese medicine and shares the same theories with acupuncture.

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What is cupping?

Cupping is a technique where a glass cup is heated and the cup is quickly placed onto the skin where a vacuum is created and the cup draws up the muscle tissue underneath. The cup is left in place for 10-20 minutes and then removed. Sometimes, oil is also applied and the cup moved over the skin.

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What is Gua Sha?

Gua Sha or scrapping is the technique of oiling the skin and then a coin or small spoon is scrapped across the skin to cause a mild redness.

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What is food therapy?

Nutritional therapy forms an important element of traditional Chinese medicine and is also based on restoring balance within the body. In China many ailments are believed to be cured by eating the correct foods.

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What is Chinese Herbal Medicine?

Chinese herbal medicine comes in the raw crude herbs to be boiled at home or pills, freeze-dried granules or liquid tinctures.

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What is Qi Gong?

Qi Gong is a system of exercises that promote the flow of the Qi, creating strong and balanced energy to protect against illness.

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What is Tai Qi?

This is usually known as a martial art, but one based on the development of inner strength as a means of self-defence.

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What is Qi?

Qi is loosely translated as energy. All things have Qi, are Qi, and are expression of Qi. If life is movement, Qi is what makes things move and is the movement itself.

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What is energy pathway or meridian?

The pathways or meridians are conduits or pathways along which Qi is circulated throughout the body. Along these meridians lie active energy / acupuncture points each of which has a particular function. By stimulating the acupuncture points the Qi can be tapped or affected to influence the energy and related body organ systems like heart, stomach, lung, kidney/adrenal, liver etc.

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What is Yin and Yang?

Yin and Yang are the key to understanding, diagnosing and treating in Traditional Chinese medicine. These concepts are defined as complementary opposites and can be used to describe what happens in the world around us as well as all the parts and functions of the body. Yin is about form and substance while yang is about function. Water is more cold, condensed and yin than steam which is hotter, less dense and yang. Steam condenses into water which when heated vaporises and becomes steam. They are opposites like night and day or light and dark and yet there is always an element of each within the other. Within the body some organs are more yin / internal / solid like the heart or liver while some like the colon and bladder are more hollow, external or yang in function. It must be remembered that Yin and Yang are always relative. What is yin in relation to one thing may be yang in relation to another. The front of the body for instance is yang relative to the back and yet the abdomen is yin relative to the chest.