Australian Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA)

20/07/2025

National Pain Week (21–27 July 2025) shines a light on chronic pain, a condition that affects millions and often lingers well beyond the normal healing period.

Unlike acute pain, which is short-lived, chronic pain persists for more than three months and can take a serious toll on physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. While opioid-based medications are commonly prescribed, they come with serious risks — including addiction.

Thankfully, effective drug-free options exist. Acupuncture is recommended by Better Health Victoria for pain relief and is supported by ongoing research for its ability to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes. When combined with mo tui na (a traditional Chinese massage technique that targets acupuncture points), the results can be even more powerful.

Chinese herbal medicine is also showing promise. A 2021 study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found Corydalis (yan hu suo) to have strong analgesic effects.

You only have pain to lose. Book with an AACMA-registered practitioner to explore natural, evidence-informed support for chronic pain.

13/07/2025

Fertility and Infertility affects 1 in 6 people globally, according to a 2023 World Health Organisation report. In Australia, only 1 in 18 babies are conceived through IVF, with the fertility support market expected to reach AU$1.02 billion by 2026.

Fertility can be impacted by age, lifestyle and medical conditions in both men and women. For women, issues like endometriosis, fibroids, PCOS and pelvic inflammatory disease are common. For men, s***m quality, hormone imbalances and physical blockages may contribute.

Healthy lifestyle choices - such as maintaining a balanced weight, avoiding to***co and alcohol, and moderating intense exercise - can improve fertility outcomes.

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are increasingly recognised as supportive treatments, including during IVF. They may help manage underlying conditions, regulate cycles and improve s***m health. A 2022 study also found acupuncture improved male fertility.

Speak with a registered AACMA practitioner to explore natural, holistic support for your fertility journey.

10/07/2025

Last chance to attend AACMAC 2025 online - registration closes 18 July!

In-person ticket registration has now closed, but you can still be part of the Southern Hemisphere’s premier TCM event, the Australasian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Annual Conference (AACMAC 2025), from the comfort of home.

Join us online from 25–27 July and access:
• Live stream of the full three-day program
• 3 months of post-event recording access
• Downloadable lecture notes and presentation slides
• Up to 34 hours of CPD – all without leaving your clinic or couch

Online registration is only open until 18 July 2025. Don’t miss your final opportunity to be part of AACMAC 2025.

06/07/2025

Acne is a common skin condition, especially in teenagers due to hormonal changes during puberty. Androgens trigger increased oil production, leading to blocked follicles and breakouts. Many women also experience hormonal acne linked to their menstrual cycle.

Acne can appear as blackheads, whiteheads, red pimples, or painful cysts on the face, back, shoulders, and chest - often causing emotional stress.

While many turn to over-the-counter or prescription treatments, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine offer natural, drug-free alternatives. Facial acupuncture or acupressure helps boost circulation, reduce inflammation, and ease pain. Chinese herbs have been used for centuries to support skin health and treat conditions like acne, eczema and dermatitis.

Natural support is available. Book now with an AACMA registered practitioner and take the next step toward clearer, healthier skin.

04/07/2025

Last chance to attend AACMAC 2025 in person – registration closes 11 July 2025!

Be part of Australia’s premier TCM event, the Australasian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Annual Conference (AACMAC 2025), held 25–27 July 2025 at Sofitel Brisbane Central.

This is your final opportunity to join the conference in person – with three enriching days of clinical learning, hands-on workshops, and face-to-face connection with leading practitioners from across Australia and beyond.

Your in-person (physical attendance) ticket includes:
• Access to the physical conference on selected days.
• Live Q&A and networking with expert speakers.
• Reconnect with your TCM peers in person.
• Exclusive offers from TCM suppliers at the trade exhibition.
• Onsite catering (lunch, morning & afternoon teas).
• Free Gala Dinner ticket when attending 2+ days (pre-registration required).
• 3 months of post-event recording access.
• Downloadable slides and lecture notes.
• Up to 34 hours of CPD in one go.

In-person registration is only available until 11 July 2025 – don’t miss your chance!

29/06/2025

Breathe – Inhale, exhale – it’s winter flu season.

Scratchy throat, runny nose, cough, blocked nose and sinuses - is it rhinovirus, COVID, RSV, the flu, whooping cough or pneumonia?

Those are the symptoms, and those illnesses are the most likely causes.

Because we are indoors more during the colder months, on public transport without good ventilation, and have forgotten the lockdown days of social distancing, hand hygiene, coughing into our arms and covering our sneezes, we remain susceptible to the respiratory diseases of winter.

Your AACMA practitioner has the skills and knowledge to use acupuncture and herbal medicines to offer a drug-free treatment for relieving the signs and symptoms of the respiratory viruses that infect us during flu season.

Helping with clearing nasal and sinus congestion, scratchy sore throats, coughs and headaches, these treatments will help you breathe more easily while boosting your immune response and increasing your energy levels so you feel better quickly.

27/06/2025

48-Hour Flash Sale: Save 5% on AACMAC 2025 – Australia’s Leading TCM Conference.

AACMAC 2025 is the largest traditional Chinese medicine conference in the Southern Hemisphere, and for a limited time, take advantage of a 5% discount on online tickets.

If you're a practitioner, student or natural health professional, this is your opportunity to access world-class education without leaving home.

Attend online from anywhere in Australia and enjoy three days of live presentations, expert insights and up to 34 hours of CPD.

Use code AACMAC25 at checkout between 12 noon Friday 27 June and 12 noon Sunday 29 June to save 5%.

What you’ll get:

• Up to 34 CPD hours
• Live-streamed access to 24 expert speakers
• 3-month replay access
• Downloadable slides, CPD log and full program
• Interactive Q&As and exclusive expo offers

Register now and use code “AACMAC25” to save: www.aacmac.org.au/register

Don’t miss out on this unparalleled opportunity to join a vibrant community of practitioners, educators, and enthusiasts for three days of immersive learning, networking, and celebration.

22/06/2025

Join Professor Zhen Zheng at AACMAC 2025 – the largest traditional Chinese medicine conference in the Southern Hemisphere.

Professor Zhen Zheng, a leading clinical researcher and Chinese medicine practitioner, will present her session: Global Trends in Acupuncture in Emergency Departments: Its Role and Impact. Drawing from her experience leading a multidisciplinary team implementing acupuncture in Victoria's largest Emergency Department, she offers valuable insights into integrating acupuncture into acute care settings.

Online tickets are available and include:

• Live access to selected sessions and Q&As
• Real-time networking and exhibitor chats
• 3 months post-event replay access
• Downloadable slides and lecture notes

Join fellow practitioners for three exceptional days of clinical insight, hands-on workshops, and meaningful connections with TCM leaders from Australia and around the world.

Achieve up to 34 hours of CPD in one go and secure your spot today.

22/06/2025

Wellbeing is a harmonious blend of the different aspects of your life - physical, mental, emotional, social and financial. Wellbeing is more than not being ill, it also embraces happiness, satisfaction, connection, achievement, meaning and purpose to life.

Everyone needs the basics of life for survival. Wellbeing is specific to our individual needs or goals to not just survive but help us thrive. Identifying those needs and goals and the strategy to achieve them is the important beginning.

Improving physical health is a solid start because it also leads to feeling stronger and better about yourself which is a boost to your mental and emotional health. That increased self-confidence flows through to productive social and workplace relationships, potentially strengthening your network and earning capacity.

Positive health choices rely on selfcare and includes good nutrition, exercise, quality sleep, health maintenance and cultivating beneficial relationships. Avoiding junk food, insufficient sleep, harmful relationships, alcohol, drugs, vapes and ci******es provides a better platform to achieve your personal wellbeing.

The holistic and natural treatment options provided by acupuncture, food and exercise therapies, herbal remedies and tui na - a relaxing, remedial massage that works on the acupuncture points and channels without needles are perfect health maintenance options that will promote your total wellbeing experience.

Individualised to meet your specific wellbeing needs, an AACMA practitioner is qualified in the holistic mind, body, emotion treatments that will help you thrive.

16/06/2025

Join Dr. Yair Maimon at AACMAC 2025, the largest traditional Chinese medicine conference in the Southern Hemisphere.

An internationally respected leader in integrative medicine, Dr. Yair Maimon will present a two-part session on TCM Treatment of Menopause: Heaven and Earth Perspective – blending decades of clinical experience with deep theoretical insight.

Online tickets are available and include:

• Live access to selected sessions and Q&As
• Real-time networking and exhibitor chats
• 3 months post-event replay access
• Downloadable slides and lecture notes

Join fellow practitioners for three exceptional days of clinical insight, hands-on workshops, and meaningful connection with TCM leaders from Australia and around the world.
Achieve up to 34 hours of CPD in one go and secure your spot today.

15/06/2025

Post Natal Depression (PND) - It is normal for new parents to be nervous, lacking confidence in their ability to care for their newborns. Emotions run high with an overwhelmingly strong desire to love, protect and nurture this tiny, vulnerable new addition to the family.

A recognised mood disorder, PND is distinct from the “baby blues” which about 80% of new mothers experience 3-5 days after their baby is born that resolves within two weeks.

Continued feelings of deep sadness, anxiety, worthlessness, being overwhelmed and an inability to care for your baby are some of the symptoms of PND.

PND risk increases if there is a personal and or family history of depression; you experienced PND after a previous pregnancy; or if diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Other risk factors are life stressors, including finances, work, the physical demands of caring for a new baby with accompanying hormonal fluctuations, lack of sleep, time for yourself and partner, and proper or adequate nutrition and exercise These factors also impact the new father who may also suffer depression after the birth.

PND is a western medical diagnosis for a set of signs and symptoms that Chinese medicine calls disharmonies which in turn lead to a Chinese medicine diagnosis or pattern.

A doctor will look at your signs and symptoms (disharmonies), for example, of an infection and diagnose whether it is a bacterial or viral infection (pattern), a registered Chinese medicine practitioner will also look at the signs and symptoms of a disharmony and diagnose a pattern.

There are many patterns for PND because no two people are the same, nor do they exhibit or experience the same signs and symptoms or live under the same conditions or family circumstances.

These distinctions and their impact on mood become clearer when consulting a Chinese Medicine Practitioner who will diagnose your pattern and deliver an individualised treatment strategy that can be integrated into your western medicine treatment plan giving you the best of both worlds to make looking after yourself and your baby easier and as enjoyable as it should be.

11/06/2025

Join Daniel Spigelman at AACMAC 2025 – the largest traditional Chinese medicine conference in the Southern Hemisphere.

In his session, Understanding ADHD through the history and daoyin of Phlegm constraint, Daniel brings a thoughtful, historically informed approach to treating complex patterns in modern clinical settings.

Can’t attend in person? No problem.

Online tickets are available and include:

• Access to the exclusive livestream across selected days
• Live Q&A with presenters
• Real-time networking with fellow practitioners
• Chats and offers from TCM suppliers
• 3 months of post-event recording access for self-paced learning
• Downloadable slides and lecture notes

Achieve up to 34 hours of CPD, absorb new perspectives, and learn in the way that suits you.