When embarking on the journey to find a practitioner such as an acupuncturist (especially one that you resonate with), sometimes people can feel stumped. Especially if it is the first time you are considering Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Acupuncture and holistic medicine.
Photo Credit: Kirsten Sorensen for Lang Acupuncture and Holistic Health.
Location: Gaia Mu, Highgate Hill, Brisbane
This is a genuine and realistic guide to help you find an Acupuncturist that is GOOD for YOU. Because lets face it, everyone will have different preferences, and an acupuncturist that is great for one person, may not be ideal for another. Here are the tips to get you started on your journey to find a TCM practitioner you resonate with!
Make sure they are officially registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
Acupuncturists are required to be registered under AHPRA, the same governing bodies that doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dentists and other health professionals are required to register with. Checking that your practitioner is registered is a good way to ensure you are going to receive acupuncture by a tertiary qualified practitioner. Yes, that's right! To become an acupuncturist there is a minimum 4-5 years of tertirary education required. You may not need to ask your practitioner directly as their degree qualifications are usually listed on their website, with mentions of being AHPRA registered - so check there. Otherwise you can also search on the AHPRA website too.
Why is this important? There are people out there offering needling that are not qualified acupuncturists, but they say they are performing acupuncture. This can be confusing for many, especially if its your first time seeking out an Acupuncturist (e.g. Pssst.... Dry needling is not the same as acupuncture).
2. Vibe Check - Get to know your acupuncturist.
You can get a feel of the acupuncturists vibe from their website and also their social media platforms. It's a good idea to see what their special interests are. Although all qualified acupuncturists are well versed in general practice, we continue post graduated courses in areas of our personal interest. Some of the different areas that acupuncturists can deepen their learning are listed below:
Women's Health: fertility acupuncture, pregnancy support acupuncture, acupuncture for supporting menstrual cycles, acupuncture for PCOS, acupuncture for Endometriosis/adenomyosis.
Emotional Wellness: acupuncture for stress managment, acupuncture for trauma, acupuncture for the mind-body connection, acupuncture for depression and anxiety.
Cosmetic acupuncture: facial acupuncture, acupuncture for acne, acupuncture for fine lines and wrinkles.
Musculoskeletal ailments: Sports acupuncture, musculoskeletal acupuncture, orthopedic acupuncture
Neurological conditions: Acupuncture for post stroke recovery, acupuncture for parkinson's
Because there are so many different branches, it is good to find an acupuncturist that has a special interest in what your are needing support with.
3. Location
Often acupuncture will require more than one session. This because it is a gentle approach, with each session buildilng up on the next. With this considered, it is important to find a suitable acupuncture clinic that is convenient for you. This will ensure that you will stick to the treatment plan required to support your body, with less resistance.
Acupuncture is definitely growing in Brisbane, so it won't be hard to find an acupuncturist that your resonate with close by.
4. What type of acupuncture are you looking for?
When seeing a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner and acupuncturist, although needling is a given, there are also other techniques and tools that can be used within a session. There are acupuncturists that use the more traditional form of needling, where you resting on a treatment bed with the needles in. There are also other acupuncturists who may also utilise cupping, moxibustion, or attach electrodes onto the needle to produce a more stimiulating effect. Others may incorporate body work in the session in combination with the needling.
If you are unsure, make sure to enquire!
5. Other adjunct ways to support your health journey
All acupuncturist do needling. That's a given. Not all acupuncturists however, focus on dietary therapy or Chinese herbal medicine. If this is something you are interested in, this is another consideration.
These are the tips on how to find a 'good' acupuncturist that will work well for you, straight from an acupuncturist! :D
Photo Credit: Kirsten Sorensen for Lang Acupuncture and Holistic Health.
Location: Gaia Mu, Highgate Hill, Brisbane
Would you like to visit our clinic?
We are a boutique acupuncture clinic located in the inner city suburbs of Brisbane. If you would like to enquire about any of our services, please contact us via info@langacupuncture.com
