Clinical Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a gentle form of drug free healing. It is the oldest system of medicine used today and its effectiveness has been clinically proven for over 3000 years.

Acupuncture is one of the main therapeutic components used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (T.C.M.) which also includes: Herbal medicine, moxibustion, cupping, and laser.

Most acupuncture needling involves very little pain. Most people are surprised as how relaxing it is - in fact many fall asleep! On occasion, some points (particularly where there is a lot of muscle spasm) can be sore.

Alternatively there may be a sensation of numbness, heaviness or tingling is felt near or around the site of needling, after insertion. This feeling is called "De Qi" and is essential for the overall therapeutic effect.


How can Acupuncture Help Me?

Acupuncture affects a wide range of bodily mechanisms and because of its diversity it can treat a variety of ailments. The World Health Organisation recommends that the following conditions can be treated with acupuncture;

• Lower back pain
• Osteoarthritis
• Neck pain
• Sciatica
• Bed wetting
• Trigeminal neuralgia
• Tennis elbow
• Frozen shoulder
• Migraine and Headaches
• Facial palsy
• Neurological bladder dysfunction
• Peripheral neuritis

Sporting Injuries;

• shoulder
• knee
• elbow dysfunction and pain
• ankle dysfunction and pain

Respiratory Ailments;

• bronchial asthma
• bronchitis
• onsillitis
• sinusitis
• rhinitis
• common cold

Gastrointestinal Problems:

• gastritis
• constipation
• diarrhoea
• duodenal ulcers
• colitis
• gastric upset
• bloating

Genital Problems:

• menstrual difficulties
• hot flushes
• irregular periods
• painful periods
• cramps
• PMT

How Long does Treatment Last For ?

Your treatment will last between 15 to 60 minutes, depending on if the acupuncture is combined with Chiropractic care. During that time you will be quietly relaxing while your body's own health monitoring mechanisms are aided in performing their usual work.

Is Acupuncture Safe ?

Yes, when elicited by a qualified practitioner. Our needles are high quality, sterile and fully imported. The needles are used once and then medically disposed. We do not re-use needles. There is no chance of infection from the needles.

Is Acupuncture helpful in other Areas ?

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine is extremely useful in other areas including:

• Gynaecological disorders
• Stress relief
• Skin disorders
• Psychiatric factors
• Paediatrics

Will I experience any Side-Effects after my Treatment ?

Side-effects are usually not experienced after any acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture introduces no foreign substances or chemicals into your body. It allows your own internal systems to function more effectively. Your body has an inherent ability to heal itself. Acupuncture merely facilitates this ability, decreases pain, promotes vascularity (blood flow) and therefore promotes healing.

How Effective is Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine?

Natural medications form the basis of a medical system used by a quarter of the world's population. Natural medicine is on many occasions equally, if not more effective that drug medication, however the results are more gentle and gradual without harsh side effects.

Formulae used within this clinic are based on natural medicines with up to a 2000 year history. The average age of some patent medicines is between 200 to 400 years old.

The medications are safe and effective. They are tried and tested. And they have been clinically proven over many years. Think on this when comparing to drug medications that have only been around for a few years and we are yet to see the long term impacts they may have on the body.

The goal of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the treatment in Inflammatory Bowel Disease is to balance the immune system and restore the flow of energy in the digestive system.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, chronic inflammation of the intestines is not considered to be a specific disease but a group of symptoms arising from an underlying health condition. Food intolerance, food allergies and immune disorders fall into this category.

Acupuncture is effective in relieving osteoarthritis knee pain, new research suggests, but placebo acupuncture appears to also do the job.

As reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine, acupuncture was 53.1-percent successful in treating symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. However, a sham procedure that looked like acupuncture, but provided no actual benefit, was a close second with a success rate of 51.0 percent.

Acupuncture as it is practiced today is a safe, comfortable and cost effective treatment for many of the problems that commonly develop in pregnancy.

This is especially true since pharmaceuticals are contraindicated in pregnant women in most cases.

The Spinal Centre is unique in that we are able to combine Chiropractic with Acupuncture to enhance the success of your treatment.

Dr. Hooper has a Masters in Chinese Medicine, specialising in Acupuncture of the spine. Indeed he holds one of the highest qualifications in Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture currently available in Australia.

Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical attention.

It is one of the most frequent causes of missed workdays and one of the most expensive conditions in the United States; according to a recent government report, in 1999, nearly one million people in the U.S. took time away from work to treat and recover from some sort of back pain.

Acupuncture is a useful, cost-effective treatment for patients who suffer from chronic headaches or migraine, American researchers said recently.

In one of the largest randomized studies to assess the effectiveness of the ancient Chinese treatment, scientists found it worked better than just conventional treatments alone.

The disappointment and frustration of being sidelined through injury, the agony of hurting your back, twisting a knee or elbow just playing with the kids or simply bending in the garden.

It doesn't matter whether it comes from the sporting arena or the backyard stadium, the fact is, it hurts! And you want to know, 'How can I get back to normal and back on the field or the court, as quickly as possible?"