Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine in Carlton North, Melbourne

An Ancient System of Medicine for Modern Bodies

Sometimes you know exactly what’s wrong.

Your back hurts.

Your periods are hideous.

Your digestion has gone rogue.

You’re getting headaches.

You’re exhausted.

Other times it’s harder to put your finger on.

You just don’t feel quite right.

Perhaps several things seem to be happening at once and you’d like someone to look at the whole picture rather than treating each symptom as though it belongs to an entirely separate human.

Acupuncture forms part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, a system of healthcare that has developed over thousands of years.

Rather than focusing only on the symptom that brought you through the door, Chinese Medicine traditionally considers patterns across the whole person, including physical symptoms, sleep, digestion, energy, menstrual health, emotional wellbeing and lifestyle.

At The Urban Alchemist in Carlton North, our Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine practitioners use this traditional framework alongside contemporary professional training to provide individualised care.

Book Now!

Not sure whether Acupuncture is right for you? Contact our team on (03) 9347 9247.

Is Acupuncture Right for You?

People come to Acupuncture for many different reasons.

Depending on your health, circumstances and practitioner, Acupuncture may be explored as part of care for:

Musculoskeletal pain
Lower back pain
Neck and shoulder tension
Headaches and migraines
Stress
Anxiety
Sleep difficulties
Digestive symptoms
Menstrual symptoms
Women’s health
Menopause-related symptoms
Pregnancy-related concerns
General wellbeing
Support alongside care for some chronic health conditions

Sometimes people come because they have one very specific problem.

Sometimes they arrive with six seemingly unrelated things and say:

“I don’t know if these are connected, but here’s what’s happening.”

Chinese Medicine is particularly interested in patterns.

So yes.

Tell us the weird thing too.

Our Acupuncturists and Chinese Medicine Practitioners

Dr Zoe Zhanshu Yang, Chinese Herbal Medicine Practitioner & Acupuncturist

Fees

Initial Consultation – 75 minutes – $155
Return Consultation – 60 minutes – $110

Current appointment options and fees are displayed through our online booking system.

Private Health Insurance and HICAPS

Private health insurance claiming may be available depending on the practitioner providing your treatment, the service received and your individual extras cover.

We have HICAPS available at the clinic for eligible on-the-spot claims.

We recommend checking your cover directly with your health insurer before your appointment if you’re relying on a rebate.

If you’re unsure which appointment to choose, contact reception on (03) 9347 9247.

Curious About Acupuncture?

Whether you’re coming in with one very specific complaint or an entire collection of symptoms that seem determined not to fit neatly into separate boxes, Acupuncture offers a different way of looking at the picture.

Book Now!

Not sure which appointment to book? Contact our team on (03) 9347 9247.

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What Is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is one of the therapeutic practices used within Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Treatment involves inserting very fine, sterile, single-use needles into carefully selected acupuncture points on the body.

Which points are chosen depends on the person sitting in front of the practitioner.

Two people can arrive with what appears to be the same problem and receive quite different treatments.

That’s because Chinese Medicine isn’t interested only in:

What symptom do you have?

It’s also interested in:

What pattern does this symptom appear to be part of?

Qi, Meridians and the Traditional Chinese Medicine View of the Body

Traditional Chinese Medicine has its own way of understanding health.

Central to that framework is the concept of Qi, pronounced “chee.”

Qi is sometimes translated as life force, vital energy or vital activity.

Within the traditional model, Qi moves through pathways known as meridians.

Health is understood in terms of dynamic relationships between Qi, Blood, yin and yang, the organ systems and the individual’s wider constitution and environment.

When these relationships become disrupted, deficient or imbalanced, characteristic patterns of symptoms may emerge.

Acupuncture points along the meridians are selected according to the pattern identified by the practitioner.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

There are two useful ways of answering this question.

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective

Your practitioner considers the pattern of signs and symptoms you present with and selects acupuncture points intended to influence the relevant pattern of Qi, Blood, yin, yang and organ-system relationships.

The aim is to support greater balance within the system.

From a Contemporary Research Perspective

Acupuncture stimulates sensory nerves and tissues at specific sites.

Research suggests that acupuncture can influence pain processing and a range of physiological responses within the nervous system.

The mechanisms involved may vary according to the condition being treated, the points used and the individual.

We don’t need to pretend thousands of years of Chinese Medicine can be reduced to:

“It’s just nerves.”

Nor do we need to claim every traditional explanation has been established as literal biomedical anatomy.

Acupuncture is more interesting than either of those extremes.

Does Acupuncture Hurt?

This is probably the question we hear most.

“You’re going to put HOW MANY needles in me?”

The important thing to know is that acupuncture needles are extraordinarily fine.

They are nothing like the hollow needles used for injections or blood tests.

Many people barely notice insertion.

Others feel a tiny prick.

Once the needle is in place, you may experience sensations such as:

Heaviness
Warmth
Tingling
Dull aching
Pressure
A travelling sensation
A sense that something is happening somewhere surprisingly far away from the actual needle

That last one can be particularly interesting.

Acupuncture shouldn’t be an endurance event.

If something feels sharp, painful or uncomfortable, tell your practitioner.

There are no bonus points for stoicism.

What Happens During an Acupuncture Appointment?

Your first appointment begins with a detailed consultation.

Depending on what brings you in, your practitioner may ask about:

Your main symptoms
Medical history
Medications and supplements
Sleep
Energy
Digestion
Appetite
Stress
Pain
Menstrual health where relevant
Temperature preferences
Lifestyle
Emotional wellbeing
Other seemingly unrelated symptoms

Some Chinese Medicine practitioners may also examine your tongue or assess your pulse as part of traditional diagnosis.

Your practitioner then develops a Chinese Medicine pattern diagnosis and chooses an appropriate treatment.

You’ll usually lie comfortably while very fine needles are inserted into selected acupuncture points.

Then comes the particularly difficult part.

You lie there.

For many people, acupuncture becomes an unexpectedly quiet part of the week.

Why Is My Acupuncturist Looking at My Tongue?

Welcome to Chinese Medicine.

Tongue observation is one of the traditional diagnostic methods used by Chinese Medicine practitioners.

They may consider characteristics such as:

Colour
Shape
Coating
Moisture
Cracks
Swelling
Other features

These observations form part of the overall traditional pattern assessment.

Your tongue isn’t receiving a pass or fail grade.

And yes, your practitioner has seen tongues before.

Why Do They Take My Pulse?

Traditional Chinese Medicine pulse diagnosis isn’t simply checking how fast your heart is beating.

Practitioners may assess the pulse at different positions and depths on each wrist and describe qualities within the traditional Chinese Medicine framework.

The pulse findings are considered alongside your symptoms, history, tongue and other observations.

It is one piece of the puzzle rather than a standalone medical test.

Acupuncture for Pain

Pain is one of the most extensively researched areas of acupuncture.

People may explore acupuncture as part of care for musculoskeletal problems including:

Lower back pain
Neck pain
Shoulder pain
Headaches
Migraines
Muscle pain
Some sporting or overuse problems

Acupuncture doesn’t replace appropriate medical assessment when pain suggests a significant injury or underlying condition.

But for some people, it can form one part of a broader approach to pain management.

Acupuncture for Anxiety and Stress

Chinese Medicine has always considered emotional and physical wellbeing to be interconnected.

Within the traditional framework, emotional states form part of the overall pattern being treated rather than existing in a completely separate department labelled:

MENTAL HEALTH. DO NOT MIX WITH BODY.

People commonly seek acupuncture because stress and anxiety are showing up physically as well as emotionally.

Perhaps you notice:

Muscle tension
Restlessness
Poor sleep
Digestive changes
Headaches
Feeling wired
Difficulty settling
Physical sensations associated with anxiety

Acupuncture may provide complementary support for stress and anxiety for some people.

It shouldn’t replace appropriate mental health care where anxiety is persistent, severe or significantly affecting your life.

Acupuncture for Sleep

Sometimes you’re exhausted.

You get into bed.

And your brain announces:

Excellent. Now that we have no distractions, let’s review everything.

Sleep difficulties can occur for many reasons.

Within Chinese Medicine, your practitioner may look at sleep alongside other aspects of your health to identify the broader pattern.

Acupuncture may support relaxation and sleep for some people.

Persistent insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness, breathing disturbances during sleep or major changes in sleep should also be appropriately assessed, because sleep problems can have medical, psychological, medication-related and lifestyle causes.

Acupuncture for Gut and Digestive Health

Digestion occupies considerable territory within Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Your practitioner may ask about things you didn’t expect to discuss during an acupuncture appointment.

Appetite.

Bloating.

Reflux.

Bowel movements.

Nausea.

Food.

Energy after eating.

Yes, poo may enter the conversation.

We are adults.

We can do this.

People may explore Chinese Medicine alongside conventional healthcare for symptoms such as:

Bloating
Constipation
Diarrhoea
Nausea
Reflux
Indigestion
Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms
Changes in appetite

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine should not be used to assume that digestive symptoms are simply an “imbalance.”

Persistent or concerning gastrointestinal symptoms require appropriate medical assessment.

Conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, coeliac disease and other gastrointestinal disorders need proper diagnosis and medical management.

Acupuncture and Women’s Health

Menstrual and hormonal symptoms are another longstanding area of Chinese Medicine practice.

People may explore Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine for support around experiences such as:

Premenstrual symptoms
Painful periods
Changes in menstrual cycles
Menopause-related symptoms
Menstrual irregularity
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome alongside appropriate medical care
Endometriosis alongside appropriate medical care
General reproductive health and wellbeing

Within Chinese Medicine, menstrual characteristics form part of the overall pattern.

Your practitioner may ask about cycle length, pain, bleeding, mood, energy, temperature and other symptoms.

Acupuncture doesn’t simply “balance your hormones” in one universal way.

Hormonal and menstrual symptoms can have many causes, some of which require medical investigation or treatment.

Chinese Medicine can sit alongside that care rather than requiring you to choose one system or the other.

Acupuncture During Pregnancy

Acupuncture is commonly sought during pregnancy for a range of symptoms and general wellbeing.

Pregnancy changes what is appropriate in treatment, so it’s important to tell your practitioner if you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

Acupuncture during pregnancy should be provided by a suitably trained and registered practitioner who can modify treatment appropriately.

It also doesn’t replace antenatal care.

If you’re experiencing concerning pregnancy symptoms, contact your GP, midwife, obstetric team or appropriate maternity service.

Acupuncture for Headaches and Migraines

People commonly explore acupuncture as part of their approach to recurrent headaches or migraine.

Headaches aren’t all the same.

Migraine is a neurological disorder.

Some headaches are associated with neck or jaw problems.

Others have completely different causes.

That’s why persistent or changing headaches shouldn’t simply be attributed to “blocked Qi” without considering whether medical assessment is needed.

Acupuncture may form one part of a broader management approach where appropriate.

Acupuncture for Skin Conditions

Traditional Chinese Medicine may also be used as complementary care by people experiencing skin concerns.

Chinese Medicine practitioners may consider the skin alongside other aspects of health such as digestion, menstrual patterns, stress and general constitution.

Skin conditions including eczema, psoriasis, acne, rosacea and dermatitis can have very different underlying mechanisms and may require medical or dermatological care.

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine should complement appropriate diagnosis rather than replace it.

Acupuncture for Chronic Health Concerns

Living with a chronic health condition can be exhausting.

Often the goal isn’t:

Make this entire condition disappear.

It’s:

How can I feel and function better while living with this?

Some people use Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine as complementary care alongside their existing medical treatment.

Depending on the person and condition, the focus might include symptoms such as:

Pain
Fatigue
Sleep disturbance
Stress
Digestive symptoms
Muscle tension
General wellbeing

We do not recommend abandoning prescribed medication or medical treatment because you are having acupuncture.

Chronic conditions deserve appropriately coordinated healthcare.

Sometimes the most holistic thing you can do is have several good practitioners doing different jobs.

What About Long COVID?

Long COVID is a complex post-viral condition that can involve fatigue, post-exertional symptom exacerbation, cognitive difficulties, breathlessness, sleep disturbance and many other symptoms.

The old Chinese Medicine explanation that COVID remains as a pathogen “hidden in the gut or lungs” is one traditional interpretation, but it should not be presented as an established biomedical explanation for Long COVID.

Some people may choose Acupuncture or Chinese Medicine as complementary support while living with persistent symptoms.

However, Long COVID can significantly affect multiple body systems and deserves appropriate medical assessment and management.

Importantly, people experiencing post-exertional symptom exacerbation may need careful pacing rather than being encouraged simply to push through fatigue.

Chinese Herbal Medicine

Chinese herbal medicine is another major branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

It uses individual herbs and combinations of herbs selected according to the person’s Chinese Medicine pattern and clinical presentation.

Chinese herbs aren’t simply:

Natural, therefore harmless.

They’re biologically active substances.

Herbal medicines can have side effects and may interact with prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines and other supplements.

If Chinese herbal medicine forms part of your care, tell your practitioner about:

Prescription medications
Supplements
Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Allergies
Significant health conditions
Other treatments you’re receiving

Your practitioner can determine whether herbal medicine is appropriate for you.

Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine

You don’t need to join a team.

Chinese Medicine and Western medicine ask different questions and use different frameworks.

Sometimes acupuncture is the thing you want.

Sometimes you need your GP.

Sometimes you need blood tests.

Sometimes you need imaging.

Sometimes you need medication.

Sometimes you need a psychologist.

Sometimes you need someone to put several tiny needles in you and then leave you alone in a warm room for twenty minutes.

Healthcare does not need to become an ideological cage fight.

The useful question is:

What kind of care is appropriate for what is happening right now?

How Many Acupuncture Sessions Will I Need?

There isn’t one correct number.

The old idea that every person should expect a breakthrough after three or five treatments and then continue indefinitely doesn’t reflect how individual healthcare actually works.

How many appointments may be useful depends on:

Why you’re seeking treatment
How long you’ve had the problem
Your overall health
How you respond
Whether you’re receiving other treatment
Your goals
Your practitioner’s clinical assessment

Some people use acupuncture for a short period.

Others choose it periodically as part of their broader healthcare.

Your practitioner should discuss recommendations with you and review whether treatment is actually helping.

You don’t need to sign up for acupuncture until the end of time.

Do I Need to Believe in Qi for Acupuncture to Work?

No.

You’re allowed to find Chinese Medicine fascinating.

You’re allowed to believe strongly in its traditional framework.

You’re allowed to be completely unconvinced about Qi but curious about acupuncture.

Your needles will not be offended.

Is Acupuncture Safe?

When performed by an appropriately trained practitioner using sterile, single-use needles, acupuncture is generally considered a low-risk treatment.

Minor effects can occur, including:

Small amounts of bleeding
Bruising
Temporary soreness
Light-headedness
Feeling tired after treatment

More serious complications are uncommon but possible.

Tell your practitioner about relevant medical conditions, pregnancy, medications and anything else that may affect treatment.

Are Acupuncture Needles Sterile?

Yes.

Acupuncture needles used in contemporary clinical practice are sterile and single-use.

They are disposed of appropriately after treatment.

Nobody is washing the needles out the back.

Promise.

Do I Have to Take My Clothes Off?

It depends on which acupuncture points need to be accessed.

Many treatments require only limited access to areas such as the arms, legs, abdomen or back.

Your practitioner should explain what is needed and use appropriate draping.

If you’re uncomfortable with access to an area, say so.

Consent still applies when the needles are tiny.

Can Acupuncture Replace My Medication?

Don’t stop prescribed medication because you’ve started acupuncture unless the healthcare professional responsible for that medication advises you to do so.

Acupuncture may sometimes complement conventional care.

It isn’t automatically a substitute for it.

Can I Have Acupuncture If I’m Scared of Needles?

Possibly.

And you would be far from the first person.

Acupuncture needles are dramatically finer than injection needles.

Tell your practitioner you’re nervous before treatment.

They can explain the process, take things slowly and help you decide whether you want to proceed.

You remain in control.

Can I Exercise After Acupuncture?

Usually, normal activity is fine, although some people prefer to take things gently after a deeply relaxing treatment.

If you’re having acupuncture for an injury, significant health condition or during pregnancy, ask your practitioner whether there are any specific recommendations for you.

Acupuncture vs Myotherapy

If your main concern is muscular pain, injury or restricted movement, Myotherapy may be another useful option.

Myotherapy focuses strongly on assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal and soft-tissue problems and may include hands-on treatment, exercise and rehabilitation.

Acupuncture comes from a different clinical framework and may be chosen for musculoskeletal problems as well as broader health concerns.

Acupuncture vs Massage

Massage primarily uses hands-on manipulation of soft tissues.

Acupuncture uses fine needles inserted into selected points.

Both may be used for muscular tension or relaxation, but they’re very different experiences and therapeutic approaches.

If your main thought is:

Please put me on a table and massage the living daylights out of these shoulders,

you probably want massage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Acupuncture

Does acupuncture hurt?

Usually very little.

You may notice a tiny prick during insertion or sensations such as heaviness, tingling, warmth or a dull ache once the needle is in place.

Sharp or significant pain isn’t something you need to tolerate.

How big are acupuncture needles?

Very small.

They’re much finer than the hollow needles used for injections or blood tests.

How many needles will I have?

It varies according to the treatment.

Your practitioner chooses points according to your presentation and treatment plan.

Do I need a referral?

Generally, no referral is required to book privately with an Acupuncturist or Chinese Medicine practitioner.

Can I claim acupuncture on private health insurance?

Depending on your practitioner, health fund and level of cover, you may be eligible for a private health rebate.

We have HICAPS available for eligible on-the-spot claims.

Check with your insurer if you’re relying on a rebate.

Can I have acupuncture while pregnant?

Acupuncture can be provided during pregnancy when appropriate, but tell your practitioner that you are pregnant or may be pregnant before treatment.

Can I have acupuncture if I’m taking medication?

Often, yes, but your practitioner needs to know what you’re taking.

This is particularly important if Chinese herbal medicine is being considered.

Should I eat before acupuncture?

It’s generally sensible not to arrive absolutely starving.

If your practitioner has specific preparation instructions, follow those.

Will I feel relaxed afterwards?

Many people do.

Others feel energised, sleepy or simply normal.

There isn’t one required post-acupuncture state.

Is acupuncture scientifically proven?

Acupuncture has been extensively researched, but the strength of evidence varies considerably according to the condition being treated.

There is stronger evidence for some pain-related conditions and less convincing or insufficient evidence for others.

That’s why we don’t describe acupuncture as a treatment that can cure virtually anything.

We can respect a traditional medical system without making promises it can’t responsibly support.

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine in Carlton North, Melbourne

Chinese Medicine has survived for thousands of years because generation after generation of practitioners and patients have found value in looking at health through this particular lens.

Qi.

Blood.

Yin and yang.

Meridians.

Patterns.

Constitution.

The relationships between apparently separate symptoms.

Modern healthcare gives us additional ways of understanding the body that practitioners thousands of years ago obviously didn’t have.

We don’t think you need to choose between respecting one and appreciating the other.

You can be curious about ancient medicine.

You can value modern science.

You can listen to your body.

You can ask difficult questions.

You can use conventional healthcare when you need it.

And you can still lie on a warm treatment table with several incredibly tiny needles in you and think:

Huh. This is actually kind of amazing.

Our Carlton North clinic is conveniently located for people seeking Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine from Carlton, Fitzroy, Fitzroy North, Clifton Hill, Brunswick East, Northcote, Collingwood and Melbourne’s inner north.

Ready to Try Acupuncture?

Book Now!

Not sure which appointment to book? Contact us on (03) 9347 9247.