Wise Acupuncture - Traditional Chinese Medicine

26/05/2025

ACUPUNTURE OR DRY NEEDLING?

Acupuncture or dry needling? This is not a treatment choice but a risk management choice, a choice between practitioners who have attended university for 4 years specifically to study acupuncture and practitioners / therapists who have done 12 hours on a weekend or just watched YouTube videos.

Comprehensive acupuncture study covers all 361 acupuncture points on the 14 primary channels, 68 identified off-channel “extra” points and up to 2000 points called Ah Shi points including the muscle trigger points acupuncturists know as musculoskeletal ah shi points. Trigger points aren’t modern, but points known since the ancient beginnings of acupuncture practice.

The theory, practice and application of all the acupuncture points, their indications, the depth and angle of needle insertion, elevates the knowledge and skill of a registered acupuncturist well above the people who claim they do dry needling, acuneedling and even acupuncture.

Government recognising the inherent risk of puncturing people with needles, nationally registered Acupuncturists in 2012 to reduce the risk of harm and protect the public from poorly trained practitioners.

Acupuncturists are mandated to complete an approved, Chinese Medicine Board of Australia accredited course to be registered to practice acupuncture. Acupuncturist is a protected title as set down by the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, meaning only qualified acupuncture practitioners can use that title. Unfortunately, Governments have failed in their attempt to protect the public by not restricting the practice of acupuncture to registered Acupuncturists.

It's vital the public knows that the person they consult is properly qualified and not trained by YouTube or done between 12–20 hours over a weekend to puncture you with needles.

Private health funds don’t recognise or pay rebates for them to do acupuncture/dry needling/acuneedling, because they are aware of the risk posed by these unqualified therapists or practitioners.

Choose an AHPRA registered professional Acupuncturist who fulfills Government and private health fund regulations maintaining their acupuncture skill, knowledge and expertise yearly to keep practising.

22/05/2025

Are you suffering from the pain of Osteo or Rheumatoid arthritis? then this might be of interest to you.

Arthritis Australia confirms that there are promising results from research into acupuncture treatments for knee osteoarthritis also providing a link to AACMA as an organisation to check for practitioners.

The US Arthritis Foundation reports ”Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, concluded that “acupuncture alone or combined with other treatment modalities is beneficial to the clinical conditions of RA and can improve function and quality of life, and is worth trying.”

Research into acupuncture’s effect on pain relief for both types of arthritis continues showing that acupuncture does provide benefits. Dr Brian Berman, professor of family and community medicine and director of the Centre for Integrative Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine explains “There’s a lot of research that says when we put an acupuncture needle into the body, a number of physiological mechanisms occurs.

A well-placed needle sets off a cascade of events, Dr. Berman explains, producing a signal that travels along the spinal cord to the brain, triggering a release of neurotransmitters called endorphins and enkephalins, which scientists believe reduce the sensation of pain. Research also shows that inserting an acupuncture needle induces the production of cortisol, a hormone that helps control inflammation. Acupuncture may stimulate activity of other
pain-relieving chemicals in the body as well.”

Research by Dr. Berman and colleagues found that after 26 weeks, patients receiving real acupuncture felt significantly less pain and functioned better (as measured by how far they could walk in six minutes) than their counterparts who received sham acupuncture.

An increasingly proven treatment for arthritic pain, acupuncture has the added benefit of being a drug free treatment that can be safely used along with your current pharmaceutical treatment for arthritis making a reduction in your pain medication a real possibility. Definitely a treatment from a registered acupuncturist that’s worth trying.

If you are interested in discovering if Acupuncture may be helpful for your pain then book some time for yourself by going online to www.wiseacupuncture.com.au or finding a registered Acupuncturist near you.

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine clinic serving the hills, Mundaring and country regions. Experienced, well qualified registered practitioners.

13/01/2025

Full of Christmas cheer? Indulged too much? Missed too many friends or family?
Perhaps made too many New Year resolutions you may or may not keep? And maybe now it’s back to work and the holiday is over….

RELAX! It’s time perhaps to find some time for yourself by visiting Wise Acupuncture for a relaxing boost to start the New Year.

Book now at www.wiseacupuncture.com.au or call 9295 1778. Let’s help you get back to yourself soon!

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine clinic serving the hills, Mundaring and country regions. Experienced, well qualified registered practitioners.

19/12/2024

Wishing you all a healthy, joy filled festive season and a fabulous New Year!
The clinic will be closed from this Friday 20/12 and opening again on the 13/1/25. Bookings can be made online now for 2025 at www.wiseacupuncture.com.au

05/09/2024

There is a disturbing trend occurring with some health professionals who are using AI to 'write' their patient notes. While guidelines are being developed by the Federal Government regarding the use of AI, you may wish to check this article and be aware of what is expected and required of registered health Practitioners and your rights.

AI tools could help clinicians create our health records. But there’s lots than can go wrong.

26/06/2024

Coeliac disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that includes Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic bowel conditions that have a huge health impact on the daily lives of many Australians.

1 in 70 Australians are estimated to be coeliac, and 6.53% of the population have IBD with the burden of these bowel conditions increasing.

Diet and medication are the general treatment options with surgery to remove the severely damaged parts of the bowel.

The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation reported on a review of studies published in 2019 demonstrating the promising, positive effects of acupuncture and electro-acupuncture on the gastrointestinal system for treating these bowel conditions.

The study reported on the improvement of the microbiome with the use of acupuncture, electro-acupuncture and moxibustion.

Moxibustion was found to be beneficial for the improvement of abdominal pain and diarrhoea in patients with intestinal sensitivity.

Studies relevant to IBD reported that acupuncture and moxibustion improved symptoms including abdominal pain, diarrhoea, constipation, gas, bloating, and nausea, while also relieving inflammation. Further research is being conducted on acupuncture, electro-acupuncture and moxibustion for these bowel conditions and the drug free relief that they provide.

You can integrate acupuncture and moxibustion into your management plan for bowel conditions by talking with an AACMA acupuncturist.

Make some time for yourself today at Wise Acupuncture. Book online at www.wiseacupuncture.com.au or call 9295 1778.

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine clinic serving the hills, Mundaring and country regions. Experienced, well qualified registered practitioners.

04/06/2024

Migraine and the different types of headaches can be debilitating or disabling for many people and are one of the most prevalent conditions worldwide.

A Global Burden of Disease study published in Journal of Headache and Pain in 2022 estimated that 52% of the world population suffered from some type of headache disorder.

Headaches are categorised as primary or secondary.

Primary headaches can be dietary related, triggered by too much alcohol and caffeine and foods such as chocolate, processed meats and hard cheeses, food additives including aspartame and monosodium glutamate (MSG).

Loud sounds, flickering lights, strong odours and weather changes and atmospheric pressure changes can also trigger headaches in many people.

Secondary headaches occur due to other health conditions including sinus congestion, stress, hormones, middle ear infections, dehydration, medication side effects, high blood pressure, meningitis, head injuries or stroke.

June is migraine awareness month and if you suffer from headaches or migraines, starting a headache diary will be a very useful tool in discovering what triggers the headaches and whether your current treatment is effective.

Noting where you feel the pain, when it started and stopped and the medications you took and whether these medications had any impact on helping to relieve the pain is very useful information in being able to more effectively manage and treat your headaches.

Pain Australia and the World Health Organisation recognise and recommend acupuncture for the relief and treatment of headaches and migraines.

Research has shown that acupuncture is useful for treating hormonal headaches often with a lasting impact.

An acupuncturist offers a drug free and drug side effect free treatment for headaches and migraine. Chinese herbal medicine may also provide some benefit dependent on the cause.

Both acupuncture and herbal medicines delivered by registered practitioners who are highly trained and knowledgeable in their profession, can be integrated into your headache management plan improving your quality of life from the pain relief gained.

Make some time for yourself today.

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine clinic serving the hills, Mundaring and country regions. Experienced, well qualified registered practitioners.

24/04/2024

COLDS AND ‘FLU
In 2023 there were over 30,000 reported cases of influenza (or Flu virus) in Australia, with many being hospitalised due to complications. Unfortunately, most of us will get the flu at least once in our lifetime. The associated signs and symptoms are commonly fever, sore throat, congestion, fatigue, muscle and body aches, runny nose, cough, sneezing and watery eyes.

Colds are much less severe than the flu and generally cause less severe symptoms such as nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing, sore throat, and headaches. Though it may make you feel lousy, getting a cold is not always a bad thing. Instead, if recovering quickly with rest, it may give you a sign that your body’s resources are strong and vital, working to return you to a state of good health. However, if your immune system is already compromised by stress, poor sleep, poor diet and general fatigue, a cold could further weaken your body, leaving you open to a more serious illness.

Traditional Chinese Medicine studies have suggested that using acupuncture and herbs as a preventative approach to colds can reduce the incidence of upper respiratory tract infection and duration of illness. (1)

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine are a natural and effective ways to support the body’s self-regulating healing systems, (your immune system- or Wei Qi in TCM) to help you get back on your feet again and help to stave off prolonged illness without needing over the counter drugs.

So, to prepare your body for this cold and flu season why not book yourself in to Wise Acupuncture for a tune up.

You can book online at www.wiseacupuncture.com.au or call 9295 1778 and leave a message.

(1) Preventative and curative effects of acupuncture on the common cold: a multicentre randomised controlled trial in Japan. Complimentary Therapeutic Medicine. 2004 Dec; 12 (4): 181-8.

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine clinic serving the hills, Mundaring and country regions. Experienced, well qualified registered practitioners.