Dr. Eliza Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine

Questions & Answers

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture treatments are not random, it involves inserting very thin needles into the body in areas called “meridian points,” which can help reduce pain, assist with fertility issues, and also help with various skin conditions, and for people who have been recovering from addiction (AOD).

How does acupuncture work?
  •  According to Traditional Chinese Medicine:
    Meridian lines are considered pathways through which Qi (life force) flows. For your body to be healthy, your Qi should move freely throughout your body. However, when you suffer from illness, injury, your Qi becomes blocked or restricted. By placing needles into specific points, it releases this obstruction, allowing your Qi to flow freely again and helping your body recover naturally.
  • According to Western Medicine
    Recent studies suggest that stimulation of nerve endings and muscle tissue occurs during acupuncture. In addition, acupuncture causes the release of Endorphins (our bodies’ own natural pain relievers) and increases blood flow to promote recovery.
Is acupuncture safe?

Acupuncture is considered to be low risk when a qualified acupuncturist is carrying out the treatment and has the proper registrations. Practitioners have completed the appropriate training (i.e., in Australia, completing a Bachelor of Health Science which is majoring in Acupuncture). All acupuncture needles are pre-sterilized prior to each procedure and then disposed of post-procedure.

Does acupuncture hurt?

Some people feel very little discomfort. Others might notice a small pinch or a tingle when the needle goes in. Most people find acupuncture quite soothing. Many describe it as a great therapy for relaxation. Acupuncture needles are much finer than hypodermic needles that are used for injections. Acupuncturists are well-trained and know how to perform acupuncture with little discomfort.

Communication is the key. Let your acupuncturist know if you feel any pain or discomfort, and they will adjust.

What condition does acupuncture treat?

There is strong evidence that acupuncture can assist both acute and chronic pain, such as backache, headache, neckache, or any type of joint pain.

Stress manifests in different ways for everyone, and acupuncture works on the level of the nervous system by regulating it and bringing it back into a calm and regulated place.

Changes in hormones during varying stages in women’s lives (menstruation, pregnancy, menopause) and hormone therapy in female reproductive health.

Skin issues like acne that are also treated from an internal approach rather than just through external remedies for the skin.

Support for recovering from alcohol and drug dependency.

All treatments are individually based and focus on returning balance to the body, increasing overall resilience, and promoting continued good health over time.

How long does a treatment last?

There are two different appointment types available, ranging from 30-minute to 1 hour sessions.

How many acupuncture sessions are needed to see results?

The length of your therapy sessions will depend on several factors:

  • How severe your problems are
  • How long have you been dealing with them
  • Whether you are receiving individual or group therapy
  • How committed are you to using the strategies provided to you

During your first meeting, we will help you create an individualized treatment plan.

Are there any side effects of acupuncture?

I would say that acupuncture is generally quite safe if done properly by an acupuncturist with qualifications such as myself. The majority of my patients report leaving their appointments in a relaxed state.

There might be slight side effects associated with the treatment procedures. There may be minimal bruising at the entry points of the needle punctures. You might experience a temporary feeling of fatigue or lightheadedness after the treatment process. The reason behind this feeling could be that your body has entered a relaxed state.

Typically, these symptoms will resolve themselves within several hours to one day. Serious adverse reactions to acupuncture are rare.

Can acupuncture be used in conjunction with fertility treatments?

Absolutely yes! Actually, some of my patients have come to me during their IVF or IUI process.

Acupuncture makes an excellent addition to the conventional methods used with other fertility treatments. While your medical specialist concentrates on carrying out the procedure, I, on the other hand, will ensure that the rest of the work is done to make sure that your body works well. Some of the things I do include ensuring good circulation to the uterus, reducing stress, and creating a good hormonal environment in your body.

What I would recommend to all my patients is to talk to their fertility doctor about their acupuncture treatments.

Many of my patients say that coming for acupuncture in my clinic during their attempts at conceiving gives them some degree of calmness during the entire period.

Are there any scientific studies that support acupuncture and its benefits?

YES ABSOLUTELY! My practice utilizes both traditional knowledge (ancient wisdom) and current scientific findings.

A comprehensive literature review of higher-quality studies show that there is significant evidence demonstrating that acupuncture could be effective for many of the conditions I treat on a regular basis, such as:

  • Chronic pain, like low back pain
  • Knee osteoarthritis
  • Migraines and tension headaches
  • Nausea after surgery
  • Female infertility, especially alongside IVF
  • Menopausal symptoms
  • Cancer-related fatigue

Modern Science now confirms Acupuncture’s effectiveness in lowering stress levels, enhancing relaxation, promoting improved sleep patterns, and reducing withdrawal symptoms from alcohol dependence for individuals experiencing alcohol dependency.