FAQs

Is Acupuncture for me?

Acupuncture is known for treating a wide range of conditions and allows the body to return to its optimal state of health.

Some of the main conditions that are treated are:

• Neurological conditions such as headaches, migraines, difficulty sleeping, nervous tension, stroke, some forms of deafness, facial and inter-costal neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia, some forms of paralysis, sequelae of poliomyelitis, peripheral neuropathy, noises in the ears, dizziness and Meniere’s disease.
• Psychological conditions such as depression, phobia, emotional disturbances, anxiety, nervousness and addictions such as smoking.
• Cardiovascular disorders, such as high or low blood pressure, fluid retention, chest pain, angina pectoris, poor circulation, cold hands and feet and muscle cramps.
• Respiratory conditions such as bronchial asthma, acute and chronic bronchitis, acute tonsillitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, hay fever, chronic cough, laryngitis, sore throat, influenza and the common cold.
• Digestive system disorders such a toothache, post-extraction pain, gingivitis, mouth ulcers, hiccough, spasms of the oesophagus,gastric and duodenal ulcers, gastric hyperacidity, gastritis, heart burn, hiatus hernia syndrome, flatulence, paralytic ileus, colitis, diarrhoea, constipation, haemorrhoids, liver and gall bladder disorders, and weight control.
• Urogenital disorderssuch as cystitis, prostatitis, orchitis, low sexual vitality, urinary retention, kidney disorders, nocturnal enuresis, and neurogenic bladder dysfunction.
• Gynaecological and obstetric disorders such as premenstrual tension, painful, heavy or irregular, or the absence of periods, abnormal uterine bleeding or discharge, hormonal disturbances, disorders associated with menopause, prolapse of the uterus or bladder, difficulty with conception, and morning sickness.
• Skin conditionssuch as eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, nerve rash, herpes zoster, acne, scar tissue and resultant adhesions, hair loss and dandruff.
• Eye conditions such as visual disorders, red, sore, itchy or watery eyes, conjunctivitis, simple cataracts, myopia in children, and central retinitis.
• Musculoskeletal disorders such as osteoarthritis, sciatica, lumbago, weak back, low back pain, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, tenosynovitis, shoulder and neck pain, cervicobrachial syndrome, ‘frozen shoulder’, and ‘tennis elbow’.
• Sporting injuries such as sprained ankles and knees, cartilage problems, corking and tearing of muscles, torn ligaments and bruises.

What happens at the first appointment?

At the time of booking you will receive an email from Natural Harmony with a comprehensive form for you to fill out prior to your first appointment. Please fill it out, sign it and send it back to us. This will give us an idea of what you need help with so we can begin the first session with understanding.

At your first appointment your Acupuncturist will make a series of assessments and clarify any questions. These assessments include Chinese Medicine diagnostic methods such as viewing the tongue and feeling the pulse, as well as engaging with you to have a greater understanding of your overall health.

Your will receive your first acupuncture treatment. Depending on the time permitted it may be shorter than your return treatment. This is due to our practitioners taking the time to explain each step and ensure you are comfortable with the treatment.

At this time your practitioner will be able to recommend an amount of treatments for your condition or current state.

If you need extra tests of another therapy adjacent to Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, your practitioner will be able to make recommendations according to your individual needs.

Our team will be able to communicate with your team of health care providers if needed to achieve the best results for you.

How does Acupuncture work?

Acupuncture treatment involves the insertion of fine, sterile needles into specific sites (acupuncture points) along the body’s meridians to clear energy blockages and encourage the normal flow of qi through the patient. The practitioner may also stimulate the acupuncture points using other methods including, moxibustion, cupping, laser therapy, electro-stimulation and massage, in order for the qi flow to return to normal.

As a natural form of healing, acupuncture has the following benefits:

• Provides drug-free pain relief
• Effectively treats a wide range of acute and chronic ailments
• Treats the underlying causes of disease and illness, as well as the symptoms
• Provides a holistic approach to the treatment of disease and illness, linking body, mind and emotions
• Assists in the prevention against disease and illness as well as the maintenance of general well-being and prevention of illness and disease

What are the costs?

Initial Acupuncture is $110
Return Acupuncture is $90
Purchasing a 10 Appointment package at $750 upfront will save you $150

Chinese Herbal Medicine Consult without Acupuncture is $70

Initial Paediatric Acupuncture $80
Return Paediatric Acupuncture $70

Online consultations – $70

*Paediatric age 16 years of age and under.
*Pensioners/concession card holders and students receive a $10 discount.

How long will my appointment be?

Initial Acupuncture – 1 hour
Return Acupuncture – 45 minutes
Paediatrics Acupuncture – 30 minutes

Chinese Herbal Consult – 30 minutes + 15 minutes for making herbs

Online Consultations – 30 min

How do I make an appointment?

Online
Call our Clinic – 03 8383 6500
Via website inquiry
By email – anna@naturalharmonytcm.com.ayu

What payment options are available?

Your initial consultation fee is paid upfront via a safe online booking and payment portal or over the phone with help from our reception.

Your return treatments can be paid online as your rebook your next appointment or you can also pay in clinic. We offer eftpos facilities including VISA, Mastercard and American Express.

Unfortunately we don’t hold any cash on premises and are unable to help you with change. If you choose to pay by cash, we recommend you prepare the exact amount.

How often do I need to come?

As Chinese Medicine is a preventative medicine, we recommend you coming as often as you like! However, the amount of appointments required for treating conditions, diseases and illnesses will be specific to you and the severity of the ailment. Your practitioner will be able to help you decide how regularly you need to make appointments that will be most beneficial for your health.

Can I claim Acupuncture if I have Private Health Insurance?

Depending on the type of cover you carry you may be able to claim a portion of your Acupuncture fee back. If not sure we recommend you contact your Private Health Insurance Provider and see if you have Acupuncture and or Chinese Medicine as part of your extras cover. If you do, great! We can provide on the spot rebates for most providers via our HICAPS terminal or we can provide you with a receipt for your claiming purposes.

Is Acupuncture covered by Medicare?

Unfortunately Medicare does not cover Acupuncture.

Can kids receive Acupuncture treatments?

Absolutely! As Chinese Medicine aims to look at the child’s whole being, mind, body and spirit/emotions, acupuncture is a non-invasive way of restoring your child back to health by treating the cause of the illness, disease or other ailment as well as their symptoms. Children commonly contract influenza or the common cold, as well as asthma, allergies and eczema, anxiety and more; acupuncture is a natural, nurturing way of helping these imbalances and bringing your child back to their healthy, happy state!

We have gentle tools for kids that don’t always involve needles, we can use a mixture of acupressure and massage techniques to help your little ones.

We love that kids respond to treatment quickly when the problem at hand is addressed as quickly as possible.

What is Chinese Herbal Medicine and how can it help me?

Chinese Herbs are an amazing natural medicine made up of leaves, twigs, roots, flowers and parts of plants, shells and some animal parts of bi-products. They  are prescribed to patients to help to restoring energy imbalances that are causing disturbance, illness or disease within the body. There are over 3,000 different types of Chinese Herbal Medicines and it’s origins date back to the 3^rd Century BC. Your practitioner is likely to mix 2 or more herbs for your specific diagnosis and can alleviate many conditions such as gynaecological conditions, digestive disorders, immunity, migraines, dry eyes, delayed labour, skin diseases, chronic fatigue and many more. For more information on our website go to the Herbal Medicine link in our TCM Treatments menu.

Do I need to book a separate appointment for herbal medicine?

Only if you are not receiving Acupuncture and prefer to focus on herbs alone.

In this case, you will need to book a separate appointment for herbal medicine. This is due to a 30-minute herbal consultation and preparation of herbal formula. However, please contact us or speak to your practitioner to learn more about how acupuncture and herbal medicine can assist each other with your health.

What is the clinic’s cancellation policy?

We ask for 24 hours notice prior to cancelling or rescheduling your appointment. Your initial payment are organised at the time of booking your appointment, either online or over the phone. If you are unable to make your appointment 100% of your payment will cover your late cancellation or no show.

If you are unable to make your return treatment with less than 24 hour notice, you will receive an invoice for 100% of you treatment’s cost as a late cancellation fee.

We understand that emergencies happen and allow flexibility for true emergencies for example related to physically not being able to get to your treatment or a child or family member being suddenly ill.

What if I feel strange or have adverse effects after Acupuncture or Chinese Herbal Medicine?

It is very uncommon to have adverse effects, and we like to take every precaution to ensure you feel supported and re-assured if you don’t feel quite right after your treatment.

We ask you to contact us immediately is you are having adverse effects or feel strange after Acupuncture or Chinese Herbal Medicine treatments.

Can I speak to a practitioner over the phone if I have a few questions?

Of course. Please feel free to call our clinic during our open hours or leave a message with your name and number and we will be of assistance as soon as we can. Natural Harmony truly cares about your overall wellbeing and assisting you where we can. Also feel free to book a consultation to further discuss your health with one of our practitioner.

Do any practitioners speak another language?

Our Chinese Medicine Team of Practitioners collectively can communicate in a few different languages:

English – we all do!

Ukrainian, Russian – Anna

Italian  – Chanel

Chinese Cantonese, Chinese Mandarin (small amount) – Albert