My understanding of acupuncture was formed by watching television and movies and always seeing some neurotic person with a face full of needles. As we got older and learnt more about self-care and the many ways to treat the body and mind, acupuncture in Melbourne continued to be suggested by a mix of sources, with some compelling anecdotal recommendations out there. We decided to give it a go and discuss the experience here on the blog, and we would love to hear if anyone else in our community is a long-time user of acupuncture in Melbourne.
Who is acupuncture in Melbourne for?
Sure, needles won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but acupuncture has been embraced in Western society for its effect on the nervous and immune system. So, who should be looking into this type of treatment? Given that acupuncture is about relieving tension and resetting the body, it can be perfect for:
- migraine sufferers
- pregnant women
- women trying to conceive
- insomniacs
- people suffering from anxiety
Those seeking acupuncture in Melbourne might find that they want to try something outside of traditional medicine, treating their anxiety and other ailments with natural techniques before medication. That said, most acupuncturists believe treatments should complement other treatments, treating the body to treat the mind. If you are not going to feel comfortable with the needle aspect then you might not be the right candidate for acupuncture, and if you are looking for immediate results that you would expect from medication – acupuncture in Melbourne is a lot more gradual so taper your expectations.
Note: while acupuncture can be great for pregnant women, be sure to communicate how far along you are as there have been some studies that show acupuncture can induce early labour if targeting the right (or wrong) pressure points.
Acupuncture in Melbourne
New to acupuncture in Melbourne, we did our research as we wanted to find the best of the best. This led us to Essendon Natural Health, where the practitioners were each trained in Chinese Medicine, Mental Health, Medicine and some adjacent areas of study which satisfied our needs. In addition to acupuncture, they also offer Chinese Medicine, Naturopathy, Osteopathy, Hypnotherapy, Holistic Healing, Massage Therapy and Myotherapy. We were also able to read the profile and impressive career highlights of the practitioners we booked, which made us excited and ready for the appointment.
Unsure of what to expect, the clinic was very modern and well-furnished. There appeared to be a large kitchen behind the Lobby quarters, as we could hear the Chinese Medicine being prepared, as each of the practitioners is qualified in Chinese Medicine. The treatment room was intimate, warm and well-styled, and we were surprised to hear how quiet the room was despite being on the main road, which made the relaxing portion of the appointment so much easier. Essendon Natural Health also has appointments during the evening which can be convenient for some and might be the way to go if you are new to acupuncture in Melbourne, allowing you to just go home and relax afterwards.
What to expect
When it was time to be called into the treatment room, our practitioner introduced himself and asked to hear about why we were there. He prompted to learn more about sleeping habits, lifestyle stressors, the anxiety we expressed and how it manifests, the exercise we do and any medication or supplements we are on. From there, it was clear that anxiety and poor sleeping were the reasons we were there, and we discussed typical situations that caused anxiety and what our reaction would be so they could understand what the solution was we were working toward. We also walked through a normal night and how we approached sleep.
From there, the practitioner suggested better sleeping habits that could be implemented immediately in conjunction with acupuncture in Melbourne. He then told us what pressure points we would be targeting with acupuncture in Melbourne, which were:
- behind the ears (for headaches and migraines)
- top of the forehead (relieve tension)
- outer wrist (for insomnia)
- ear (insomnia)
- feet (sleep disorders)
When the needles were in, we were left to relax in the heated room for 45 minutes so those pressure points could do their magic. The time went quicker than we thought, and before we knew it the needles were removed. We were advised that we might feel a bit different that night and don’t expect the perfect night sleep as we have stimulated those pressure points. Acupuncture in Melbourne is most effective when continued so if you are looking to take the plunge, be ready to commit in order to see results.
Where have you been for acupuncture in Melbourne, and what has been your experience so far? We would love to hear from you. Still on the fence about whether to book an appointment? You can always make your way through our recommended best mindfulness podcasts of 2020 beforehand to identify what areas you might be wanting to treat.
