This can vary significantly depending on what you are seeking help with.  In the initial session, we make a plan based on your individual situation and discuss how often to come back and for how long.  This is done in consultation with you. The intention is to help you feel well as soon as possible.  While some people come in with a specific issue to work on and return until it is resolved, others come to maintain health and keep body, mind and spirit aligned.

I will be transparent with you.  No medicine works for everyone 100% of the time.  If, after 2-3 sessions, I feel I can’t help you according to our treatment plan, then I can refer you to someone I think will be better skilled to meet your needs.

There may be a sensation associated with the insertion of needles, however it is not painful. Most people find acupuncture a pleasant and relaxing experience. My approach is particularly gentle, having trained in gentle Japanese forms of needling and moxibustion. I don’t believe pain is necessary to get results from treatment.

It’s reasonably common that patients express some fear around having acupuncture in their first session. We usually take it really slowly, relaxing the body first with some massage and using very gentle needling techniques with very few needles in the first session. Most people report that it feels more relaxing than they had imagined. We also have other techniques that don’t involve needles, so it’s possible to utilise Chinese medicine without the acupuncture.

Moxibustion involves using a warming herb (Chinese mugwort) over acupuncture points and meridians.  There are many ways of applying it, but in general it feels relaxing and nourishing.

Cupping is the use of glass cups that are suctioned onto areas of the body.  It is most frequently used to encourage qi (energy) flow, relax muscular tension and alleviate symptoms of congestion associated with the lungs.

I tell everyone that their herbs will taste bad so that there is no expectation they will taste delicious, especially if they are taking raw herbs!  Often it is just the first dose or two that has a strong or unusual taste. With subsequent doses, people report that they come to really like and crave the herbs. There are also different forms of herbal medicine, so if you find you cannot tolerate the taste, then we can use capsules or pills.

I recommend purchasing a specific ceramic pot.  They’re inexpensive and I stock them at the clinic or can recommend where to purchase them. Some herbs shouldn’t be cooked in metal, and this way you know that you will get the full therapeutic benefit from your herbs. If not advised what to cook with then it is fine to use a metal saucepan.

I welcome all types of families and people of all genders and sexual orientations into the clinic to seek care in relation to fertility, conception and parenting (and indeed, and health issues). We are an LGBTQI+ and gender diverse supportive practice.

It is important to ensure all partners are in optimal health for conception and I very commonly see partners when addressing fertility. Chinese medicine is also a wonderful emotional support for the parents-to-be and other support givers.

Ideally, your treatment commences three cycles before your first IVF cycle. However, it is ok to seek care at any point in your IVF journey. I start wherever you are at.

Yes, definitely.  There is some research suggestive that acupuncture on the day of transfer, as well as in the lead up to the transfer can improve outcomes.  See here and here, and also refer to my Fertility page.

Yes, for sure! Feel free to give me a call to discuss your needs.  I find gentle osteopathy particularly helpful for newborns to recover from birth and often refer to my wonderfully skilled colleagues at Organic Mechanic.

While some kids will happily drink herbs; others won’t. Working with children requires flexibility!  I will find something that works for you. Often I use small pills that are easy to swallow. Sometimes I lean more on massage techniques that you can use daily at home. I also really focus on refining their diet and lifestyle. Making small changes can bring about very quick benefits for kids.

With very young children it is often not necessary to use needles, and if I do, it’s usually just one and it’s not left in for more than a couple of seconds.  It’s always with the consent of the child and parent!  We have lots of other techniques we can use with kids as well as acupuncture.  It is important to emphasise that every child is different and will respond to an approach that is specially tailored to them.  Some older children are really keen on acupuncture and ask to receive it!  Others are very cautious and prefer not to have needles, but may, after a few sessions and some relaxing massage, be willing to give it a go.