FAQs

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and is used to ensure the free flow of the body’s energy in order to bring the body back into its natural balance.

Acupuncture is a method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and to improve functioning based on the Chinese Medicine view. This is done by inserting needles, applying heat, electrical stimulation or a laser at very precise acupuncture points.

How does Acupuncture Work?

The Aim of Acupuncture according to Oriental medicine, is to establish a healthy bodily function by restoring the natural circulation of energy in your body. This energy is known as ‘Qi’.

This form of medicine involves inserting a SOLID filiform needle made of stainless steel – the width of a strand of hair into the skin at specific areas of the body to help achieve a therapeutic effect. NO Drug is injected.

By restoring the natural energy in your body, Acupuncture encourages the body’s internal organs to correct imbalances. This natural healing may assist by increasing energy, improve moods, reduce or relive pain, promote a healthy digestive system and may improve the function of the affected areas in the body.

Is Acupuncture Painful?

People experience the insertion of an acupuncture needle differently. Most patients feel either a dull, achy, heavy or warm sensation when the needle is correctly placed. This is referred to as ‘Qi’. Most people become very relaxed or will fall asleep. Laser Acupuncture can also be helpful and patients can also feel either a dull, achy, heavy or warm sensation or no sensation at all.

What should I expect from my initial consultation?

The initial consultation and treatment entails taking a full medical history. This may include a wide range of questions such as asking about your energy, sleep, diet, digestion, urinary/bowel functions, emotional or physical symptoms. The pulse is taken to give valuable clinical information and the tongue is viewed to confirm the pulse. After a full assessment is made, points are selected, a treatment plan is made and suggestions of additional modalities such as exercise, massage or dietary advice are given.

The treatment may take up to 60 minutes while the follow-up treatments are closer to 30-45 minutes.

How many treatments are required?

The number of treatments needed differs from person to person. For chronic or complex conditions, one or two treatments a week for several weeks or months may be recommended. For acute conditions, one to three treatments may be required. The number of sessions required really depends on the nature of the disorder. At the time of the initial examination, Erica will evaluate your condition and will assess the approximate number of treatments needed.

Can I get acupuncture if I am using any other form of treatment?

Acupuncture can definitely be used in conjunction of any other form of treatment. The combination of both Eastern and Western medicine are ideal. Acupuncture alone can help to improve various conditions however; Integrative medicine can be very beneficial as well. Please consult with your Medical doctor regarding any questions or concerns that you may have.

Can Acupuncture help with IVF treatments?

Most acupuncturists provide services for a minimum of 3 months preceding an IVF treatment to get the body into an optimum state of health. The benefits of acupuncture for IVF are currently being researched however only low quality research that assesses only the process of IVF, however we are more concerned with making the body healthy before the process happens.

Our treatment plan is to have the patient come in once before the egg collection, and twice in one day – before the egg transfer and after the egg transfer. This is done to help relax the body and mind during the procedures, reduce anxiety and to prevent muscle contractions.

Generally, patients will come in once a week until results are received and they continue to come in once per week regardless of the result i.e. to support the pregancy or continue with getting their body back into its optimum state of health.

Be sure to consult with your Fertility specialist if you have any questions.

What is Laser Acupuncture?

Laser acupuncture is the application of infra-red light instead of using traditional acupuncture needles. Laser therapy is a non-invasive, pain-free, light-based therapy that uses red and infrared light to target inflamed, injured and diseased tissues, and is great for very sensitive patients.

The laser is used on specific acupuncture points stimulating the area similar to the way acupuncture needles do. The practitioner will hold the beam steadily for a period that can range from ten seconds to a maximum of two minutes.

A patient may feel slight tingling, movement of energy or ‘Qi’ close to the area where the beam is being used or they may feel nothing at all although, still receiving the benefits as they would with the use of an acupuncture needle.

What is Shonishin Paediatric Acupuncture?

Using a variety of tools and techniques, the Shonishin method (Japanese Paediatric Acupuncture) stimulates the acupoints and meridians using rubbing, tapping and pressing methods on the surface of the body. Children generally find the treatment very relaxing and fun, as no pain or discomfort is felt.

What is Tapping?

Tapping is also known as Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). It is using your fingers to tap on the endpoints of meridians in your body while making a statement and focusing on various health problems that are challenging us. While tapping, a signal is sent to the amygdala in the brain releaseing that ‘stress’ in the body that is held in your body’s memory.

What is TRTP?

The Richards Trauma Process (TRTP) is a new, hypnotherapy based, non-Oriental medicine modality that may, depending on response, assist with emotional issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, grief and PTSD in three specifically allocated sessions.

What happens in the treatments?
By having clients fill out an initial questionnaire, Erica can gauge which subconscious core beliefs they have about themselves. Any negative subconscious core beliefs can form the foundations in our lives and may lead to self-sabotage when trying to make major life changes for the better.

In session one, clients are introduced to their authentic selves, and negative subconscious core beliefs are identified and shifted from negative to positive.

In session two, we take the top three traumas that clients have had in their lives and with the use of a revolutionary process, Erica guides them through a meditation to eliminate any stressors associated with the traumas that they have experienced. We end the session by addressing any residual shame, blame or guilt.

The third session consists of reaching the next layer of additional residual shame, blame or guilt and especially grief. We then start to look forward instead of backward to form the client’s future.

This therapy should be booked in three single appointments and is not incorporated into Erica’s acupuncture sessions. It’s ideal for patients who have experienced trauma and have reached a life stage where they feel it’s necessary to address the trauma and prevent it from impacting on their future choices.

Have a chat with Erica to explore TRTP and decide if it’s the right treatment for you, by calling
0413 025 487.

What is Craniosacral Therapy?

Craniosacral therapy is the extremely gentle micromanipulation of cranial, spinal and sacral bones with the intent of relaxing and decompressing organs, connective tissue and soft tissue trapped between them.
Most often performed by osteopaths, chiropractors, physiotherapist and other musculoskeletal therapists, it is used in many contexts for many different conditions and, according to current research seems to provide relief for some specific conditions. Since 2020, the research body regarding Craniosacral therapy has increased to include meta-analyses and systematic reviews that have found positive results for conditions including chronic pain, hamstring tightness, and other general musculoskeletal disorders.

Erica uses Craniosacral therapy alone, or in conjunction with acupuncture as part of an overall treatment plan and incorporates different modalities where required.
Book a time by calling 0413 025 487 or email info@cycleoflifeacupuncture.com.au

Reference list
Haller, H., Lauche, R., Sundberg, T. et al.
Craniosacral therapy for chronic pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 21, 1 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-019-3017-y

Jiang, W. B., Samuel, O. C., Li, Z., Chen, W., & Sui, H. J. (2023).
Effectiveness of craniosacral therapy in the human suboccipital region on hamstring muscle: A meta-analysis based on current evidence. Medicine, 102(5), e32744. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000032744

Pajor, K., Szpyt, J., Turoń-Skrzypińska, A., & Rotter, I. (2020). Effectiveness of craniosacral therapy in musculoskeletal pain disorders. Journal of Education, Health and Sport, 10(9), 915–926. https://doi.org/10.12775/JEHS.2020.10.09.112

What is Esoteric Acupuncture?

Esoteric Acupuncture is a spiritual acupuncture method that is practiced globally and was developed by Japanese Acupuncture practitioner & Master, Mikio Sankey, during the 1990’s. It combines Traditional Chinese Acupuncture along with Sacred Geometry, Hindu Chakra Systems and the Qabalistic Tree of Life in order to integrate higher levels of healing to initiate a Higher Frequency Healing in order to enhance wellness. Esoteric Acupuncture accesses higher vibrational frequencies and balances the qi flow of various body systems, balances the chakras to create a more harmonious frequency within our energy field. Erica uses specific protocols and point sequences to align, strengthen and harmonize energies of the chakras within our body systems.

Specific geometric patterns are used to discover higher levels of consciousness to trigger heightening of spiritual awareness. Within this narrative, the energy brought through the acupuncture needles or tuning forks carries encodings that may unlock higher levels of consciousness. We then connect with our higher spiritual realms, opening our heart centers, initiating the frequencies of love and its many branches, that expand throughout our energy fields.

If you would like to book an Esoteric Acupuncture session with Erica, please call 0413 025 487

What is Therapeutic Cosmetic Acupuncture?

Cosmetic Therapeutic Acupuncture / Microneedling is a form of Traditional Chinese facial rejuvenation therapy using the smallest acupuncture needles available, or various other specifically targeted devices such as a dermal roller, dermal hammer or plum blossom needles.

It is currently the subject of much research, which has found that, “Compared with other skin resurfacing techniques, this technique preserves the epidermis and is nonablative, therefore reducing inflammation, downtime, and risk of dyspigmentation. In addition to increasing collagen production in fibroblasts, Therepeutic Cosmetic Acupuncture or microneedling also helps normalize cell function of keratinocytes and melanocytes and can be used to increase absorption of topical medications, growth factors, or deliver radiofrequency directly to the dermis.” (Spataro, E, Dierks, K & Carniol, P.J. (2023)).
In modern times, Therapeutic Cosmetic Acupuncture or microneedling is used for drug-free facial rejuvenation that works with the body’s natural biochemicals and structure to enhance a more youthful appearance and decrease dermatological issues like scar tissue, pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles.

Erica provides Therapeutic Cosmetic Acupuncture treatments on the face, neck, decolletage and scalp by itself, or along with a full body acupuncture treatment to treat the root of the problem, from a Constitutional Oriental Medicine perspective – Treating the body from inside and out.

To book a time for Therapeutic Cosmetic Acupuncture with Microneedling, call 0413 025 487

Reference List

Alessa, D., & Bloom, J. D. (2020). Microneedling Options for Skin Rejuvenation, Including Non-temperature-controlled Fractional Microneedle Radiofrequency Treatments. Facial plastic surgery clinics of North America, 28(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsc.2019.09.001

Hou, A., Cohen, B., Haimovic, A., & Elbuluk, N. (2017). Microneedling: A Comprehensive Review. Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.], 43(3), 321–339. https://doi.org/10.1097/DSS.0000000000000924

Jia, L., Xiong, J., Guo, R., Li, Y., & Jiang, H. (2022). A Comprehensive Review of Microneedling as a Potential Treatment Option for Androgenetic Alopecia. Aesthetic plastic surgery, 46(6), 2979–2994. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-022-03042-y

Spataro, E. A., Dierks, K., & Carniol, P. J. (2023).
Microneedling-Associated Procedures to Enhance Facial Rejuvenation.Clinics in plastic surgery, 50(3), 479–488. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cps.2022.12.012