Melbourne acupuncture | Chinese medicine Melbourne

We think we can provide you with some of the best acupuncture in Melbourne- and we are confident you’ll agree.

• What is acupuncture and how does it work?
• What can it help me with?
• Does acupuncture hurt?
• What can I expect in a treatment?
• Chinese herbal medicine and complementary therapies
• Book your session

What is acupuncture and how does it work?

Acupuncture is an ancient medicine developed over 5,000 years ago in China and continues to be widely used to address a variety of health and wellness issues.

Acupuncture is believed to work through balancing the body as a whole, not just focusing on one singular problem at a time.

This balancing is achieved through activating meridians (energy pathways) throughout the body. If this concept seems a little foreign to you don’t worry, your body will naturally respond to the treatment even if your brain doesn’t fully understand it yet!

Acupuncture can place the body into a meditative state, much like that achieved in mindfulness practices. The latest updated research in January 2020 shows strong evidence to suggest these mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques can effectively reduce stress and depressive disorders [3].

The most up to date modern scientific explanation is that needling a point will stimulate the nervous system to release chemicals and hormones in the muscles, the spinal cord, and the brain.

It is thought that this stimulation can change the experience of pain and trigger a natural healing response in the body tissues. Sessions can also have a calming effect, altering our state of mind and reducing stress.

We know you will feel wonderful when you attend your initial session with us, with years of experience, we believe our Melbourne Acupuncture and Chinese medicine team can provide you with the best holistic healthcare in the city.

The registered Chinese medicine practitioners at Qi Medicine may be able to help you with any of the following issues:

Fertility, IVF and pregnancy

Are you looking for a Melbourne Chinese medicine clinic to support you whilst undergoing a fertility journey? Then we know we can help you.

• Our acupuncturists in Melbourne are helping couples actively reduce their tension, stress and fatigue which may be contributing to their infertility.

Find out more about acupuncture and fertility here

• Supporting couples step by step through the IVF process with a clear explanation of what is happening in their body, including fertility drug reactions
• Helping to clarify and explain in plain terms the meanings of blood tests, cycle changes, and gynecological investigations
• Educating couples on how to best track their fertility windows, understand cycles, ovulation, and sperm
• Advising couples on how to best manage their diet and lifestyle for best fertility outcomes

For pregnancy and birth

We can assist with:

• Pelvic and back pain in pregnancy
• Nausea, fatigue, and stress in pregnancy and birth preparation
• Pre-labor induction preparation, including reducing stress and muscle relaxation

Find out more about acupuncture in labour here

Pain management

If you are suffering from pain and muscle tightness, you could benefit from visiting Qi Medicine for pain management acupuncture.

• Endometriosis pain ( find out more about acupuncture for endometriosis pain here)
• Feeling stressed and under pressure
• Needing help to overcome difficult stages in life
• Chronic lower back pain and tension
• Acute lower back pain and neck pain
• Hip and Sciatica pain (more about sciatica here)
• Shoulder impingement pain
• Post-stroke shoulder pain
• The pain associated with headaches and migraines
• Knee osteoarthritis pain
• Neck pain and stiffness
• Headache and migraine pain
• Joint pain associated with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis

Find out more about acupuncture for pain relief here

Cosmetic acupuncture and skin rejuvenation

Are you looking for a cosmetic acupuncturist in Melbourne? We can provide:

• Collagen induction therapy with dermal rolling and skin needling
• Cosmetic acupuncture to help reduce stress and tension from facial muscles
• Understanding hormonal imbalances leading to skin problems such as dryness, crepey skin, and acne.
• Combining stress-busting, rejuvenating acupuncture, and skin treatment into one.

Find out more about cosmetic acupuncture here

In addition, acupuncture may be useful in the treatment of:

• Fatigue and low energy
• The pain associated with endometriosis
• Pain and stress associated with menstrual cramping, heavy bleeding or PMS
• The pain and stress associated with irritable bowel syndrome and constipation
• Underlying stress that may be leading to acne breakouts and hormonal imbalances
• Elevated stress levels that may be associated with melasma or skin pigmentation

Does acupuncture hurt?

Our acupuncturists specialise in taking first-time clients and will gently ease you through the whole process step by step (Meet our team here). We promise you will feel as comfortable as possible throughout your treatment, as we conduct your private consultation and treatment.

Your session is often not painful as very fine needles are used to stimulate the points.

Acupuncture can be quite relaxing as the body is given a chance to stop, relax, and heal itself. Other sensations felt during treatment include a slight tingling in the body, which is actually quite a pleasant experience.

What can you expect in a treatment?

Your session will consist of a consultation and treatment, along with dietary and lifestyle advice and supplements and herbs if needed.

During your session, your Chinese medicine practitioner will ask you several questions about your current and past state of health, to gain a deep understanding of what is causing imbalances in your health.

Once your Chinese medicine doctor has a whole picture of your health they can individualise treatment to your specific needs. During your session, you will be able to fully relax in a private, comfortable room.

Our clinic is designed to let you fall into a deep state of relaxation, without interruption from the outside world. You will be encouraged to close your eyes and rest, allowing the treatment to promote healing in the body.

You will often feel very relaxed after a session. It is best to drink plenty of water and do not undergo intense physical or mental activity for a few hours after your session, to let the internal healing continue after you leave the clinic.

At our medical acupuncture clinic, we work in accordance with the registration standards of the CMBA ( AHPRA- Chinese Medicine Registration Board Australia division) which all registered Chinese Medicine practitioners are obliged to meet standards of safety and efficacy.

There is much ongoing research into the effectiveness and uses of acupuncture for a variety of conditions, as explored in this article in Medical News Today.

Qi Medicine prides itself on following strict safety guidelines, ensuring your session is as safe and effective as possible.

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine benefits

• May provide ongoing symptomatic relief of some conditions without drugs
• Promotes healing within your body without suppressing immunity
• May be used by people of all ages
• Does not result in ill side effects of some Western medications
• Sessions can be relaxing and rejuvenating and can leave you feeling calm and happy
• Rebates available in-house for private health insurance members
• Can be more cost-effective than some other forms of mainstream care [2]

Acupuncture does not replace all medical treatments available, and your current healthcare provider should be consulted before you discontinue any other forms of treatment.

A Chinese medicine treatment will often complement Western medical treatments by encouraging healing and recovery.

During your session you may be asked if you would like one of the following adjunct therapies to assist in your treatment:

Chinese herbal medicine

As a part of the Chinese medicine treatment, you may be prescribed a specific high-quality herbal formula to complement your acupuncture treatment.

We prescribe you either a pill or powdered raw formula for your best Chinese herbal treatment, adhering to the strict Australian therapeutic medicines guidelines (TGA).

Moxa therapy

Moxa (or moxibustion) is an important part of many treatments.

This treatment consists of a dried herb or a charcoal-like substance compressed into a stick or cone and smoldered close to the skin, which is designed to warm up the skin and acupuncture channels for a specific therapeutic effect. This therapy is not intended to burn, only warm the area.

Cupping therapy

Cupping can be an effective tool for reducing back, neck, and shoulder pain (read more about cupping here).

Cupping is generally not very painful but may leave some marks on the skin. These marks generally fade within one week. Upon request, cupping can easily be included in your treatment for a deeper release of tight muscles and tendons.

Advice about acupuncture’s potential side effects and results

On the whole, acupuncture is considered gentle, but like with any form of therapeutic intervention, there may be some unwanted side effects.

These include:

• Bruising, some bleeding, and tenderness at the site of treatment
• Feeling tired after treatment
• Some pain and redness at the insertion site
• Some swelling at the insertion point

It is important to discuss your treatment options with your acupuncturist first if you have any:

• Bleeding disorders
• Contagious blood diseases
• Easy bruising
• Metal allergies

Acupuncture is not a miracle treatment and it is important to understand that like any form of therapeutic intervention results are never guaranteed, even by the best acupuncturist.

Please take the time to discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider before undergoing treatment.

It is common to need to undergo a series of sessions to achieve therapeutic benefit with acupuncture, so please be mindful of this when considering treatment.

Acupuncture cost

See our pricing page here

Acupuncture bookings

Book online here or phone the clinic on (03) 8394 7665 to book your acupuncture treatment today.

Find our Chinese acupuncture clinic here:

Find us on Google maps here

Our Melbourne clinic offering acupuncture is located at Suite 4, Level 1, 151 Pascoe Vale Rd, Moonee Ponds Vic. (Please ensure you take the ground floor elevator to reach us or level one.)

Our clinic is located in the North-Western suburbs of Melbourne. Qi Medicine is minutes away from Ascot Vale, Essendon, Avondale Heights, Maribyrnong, and Brunswick West.

We also service many clients in Travancore, Flemington, Aberfeldie, Maidstone, and we are just 10 km from Melbourne city.

Follow Qi Medicine Acupuncture on Instagram and Facebook and stay up-to-date with all the latest news.

Effectiveness of Acupuncture for Nonspecific Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Megan Lam 1, Rose Galvin, Philip Curry, 2013 Nov 15

[2] Cost-effectiveness Analysis of Acupuncture, Counselling and Usual Care in Treating Patients With Depression: The Results of the ACUDep Trial , 2014 Nov 26, Eldon Spackman 1, Stewart Richmond 2, Mark Sculpher 1, Martin Bland 2, Stephen Brealey 2, Rhian Gabe 2, Ann Hopton 2, Ada Keding 2, Harriet Lansdown 2, Sara Perren 2, David Torgerson 2, Ian Watt 3, Hugh MacPherson 2

[3] Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Psychological Symptoms and Telomere Length: A Randomized Active-Controlled Trial
Shian-Ling Keng, et al. 25 January 2020 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0005789420300137