Frequently Asked Questions

Acupuncture is a drug-free way that aims to provide relief from pain and various acute and chronic ailments. It follows a holistic approach by not only addressing the manifesting symptoms but also the underlying mechanism of your condition. In Chinese medicine, we focus on the relation between body, mind and emotional wellbeing.

While we are using the same needles, we have distinctly different approaches. Dry needling, which is mostly practised within physiotherapy, addresses exclusively musculoskeletal issues aiming for relief of symptoms, such as pain or range of motion. Needles are entered into muscles, for example, to deactivate a trigger point. Acupuncture has a much broader scope of conditions to treat and a complex medical philosophy behind. Following a holistic approach, an acupuncturist will aim to balance body, mind and emotions. We use the needles to activate the flow of Qi and blood based on the body’s meridian network. Thereby it can treat both symptoms and the underlying cause of the disorder. Acupuncturists are registered health practitioners who have studied for a minimum of 4 years.

Each treatment that you have is customised according to how you present on the day. When you come in for the first time, we will take a case history by asking you about your current health concerns, history and a range of related matters, such as your diet, sleeping patterns, lifestyle choices, menstrual cycle and your emotional wellbeing. We will also take into consideration other factors like body/abdominal palpation, tongue and pulse diagnosis. Based on what we identify as a ‘pattern of disharmony’, we will discuss with you a treatment plan that may include follow-up sessions as needed.

You might findsome formulations available at local chemists that are labelled as Chinesemedicine. However, it is important to know that qualified practitioners do not follow a one–size–fits–all approach by a symptom or disease name. Instead, they prescribe you designated herbs based on your current presenting pattern in Chinese medicine theory. Importantly, people with a similar Western medicine condition may need different Chinese herbal medicine prescriptions

At AcuhealthAcupuncture, we use prepared formulas, that is pills, powders or granules which have many advantages. They are easy to use, have a quality control assurance and are highly concentrated in their active components. For example, you can take the pills when you are on the run or when you are travelling, with no unpleasant taste. In our clinic, we prescribe pills and capsules from the ChinaMed and BlackPearl range that are manufactured under Australian Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards, as regulatedby the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 

Cupping is a part of Chinese medicine which can provide much relief for muscular tightness but is also applied in many other conditions as it generally provides a pleasant experience. There are several different types of cupping applications, which can be stationary, gentle sliding or flash cupping. At AcuHealth, we use glass cups, silicone cups and plastic cups. depending on your specific needs. Cupping may leave marks on the skin for a couple of days.

Yes, if you have private health extras cover, acupuncture will likely be covered by most insurance companies. We recommend checking with your insurance company before your first treatment to confirm. 

After experiencing blood taking, vaccinations, piercings or tattooing, you might associate needles with pain. It is important to know that none of the needles used in the above-mentioned practices compares to an acupuncture needle.

At AcuHealth, we use a variety of needles with a diameter ranging between as little as 0.14- 0.25mm, similar to the thickness of a hair strand. This is less than half the size of a typical injection needle (0.5mm) or a quarter of the size of the needle used for drawing blood (1mm).

Our acupuncture needles come with a silicone cover which makes the insertion very smooth. We also use guide tubes that help us to insert the needle quickly through the skin level, i.e. the level that contains all your pain receptors. Our patients often say that they do not even notice the insertion.

In Chinese medicine, we are aiming for a sensation which is known as Deqi, “the arrival of Qi”. Both the practitioner and the client can sense Deqi. You might perceive it as a pulling or heaviness that is being exerted by the needle.

Talk to us if you are still feeling uncertain about acupuncture needles and we will be happy to facilitate a most relaxing and comfortable environment for you to try and find out about your tolerance.

Both Chinese and Japanese acupuncture share many philosophic principles, such as the theory of Qi flow through the meridians. At AcuHealth Acupuncture, our practitioners apply a blend of gentle techniques including acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping and herbal therapy that take from both systems.

All our practitioners here at AcuHealth Acupuncture are accredited with the profession’s peak national bodies and AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Registration Association).

Moxibustion (moxa) is traditionally made from the dried Chinese herb mugwort and we often use it alongside acupuncture by burning the herbs in the form of sticks, needle-head moxa or gentle rice grain moxa.

It has a pleasant smell and creates a deep warmth in the body, stimulate points and restore
the flow of Qi in the body or expel pathogenic influences.

Dr. Heidi Weiss is currently seeing patients at Nautilus Acupuncture in Mountain Creek, Sunshine Coast. There is plenty of onsite parking including a large undercover car park. If you arrive early for your treatment, grab a coffee or yummy almond chia latte from Cafe Elemento just across from Aldi.