Let’s begin.
Everything you need to know before your first appointment
Hello, I’m Courtney and I’m so glad you’re here.
I simply cannot wait to meet you in person and get to know you.
Firstly, it’s important to know that your initial appointment involves a whole lot of talking, however you will still have optimal time on the table for treatment with acupuncture and bodywork as well.
The aim of your initial appointment is to gather a detailed history of your health through a series of questions, as well as looking at your tongue, taking your wrist pulse and feeling your abdomen.
This exploration helps me to understand your clinical presentation and Chinese Medicine pattern, which guides your treatment plan. The treatment plan I propose may involve a combination of acupuncture, massage, herbal medicine and lifestyle advice. Together we also form a mutual understanding of our goals and expectations with treatment.
With this information in mind, we then proceed with the acupuncture and bodywork component of treatment.
I acknowledge that receiving hands on touch can be a vulnerable space and I will verbally check in with you to ensure you are comfortable at all times.
Time spent on the treatment table aims to leave you with a sense unfurling from deep rest.
Post treatment, you can expect to receive an email from me with your treatment plan and any reference material we may have discussed.
Find more answers to FAQs below.
What do I need to bring?
Bring along any recent test results and photos of herbs/supplements/medications you are already taking. If you are feeling overwhelmed by your health concerns, you may like to take time to reflect and write some notes to bring with you.For those with private health cover, bring your card for on the spot claims.
First time receiving acupuncture?
I really enjoy sharing people’s first experience of acupuncture. Together we take a stepwise approach to ensure you are always within your realm of comfort. This may look like verbal check ins, fewer needles, avoiding more sensitive areas of the body, shorter needle retention time etc. For most first timers, it’s an anticlimax - the pain or discomfort they had feared, simply does not compare to the reality. However, you can expect to notice some sensation with acupuncture.
This sensation is called “De Qi” and is often described as a “zing”, “buzz” or “dullness” which is very tolerable and transient.
What is acupuncture and how does it work?
Treatment with acupuncture involves the gentle insertion and retention of single-use sterilised needles. Acupuncture points are located all over the body. The combination of points used is determined by your Chinese Medicine pattern diagnosis. Needles are comfortably retained for 20-30 minutes, throughout this time people often report a sense of deep relaxation and may even fall asleep.Acupuncture works by tapping into the parasympathetic “rest, digest and restore” nervous system, which allows healing to take place. Studies have proposed many underlying mechanisms of action to explain the healing benefits of acupuncture, including the release of various neurotransmitters and anti-inflammatory mediators. From a Chinese Medicine perspective, it’s all about Qi. For more, check out my blog post “What is Qi?”.
How many treatments will I need?
Naturally, every situation and every body is different. The general rule of thumb is weekly to start, then fortnightly and moving toward monthly maintenance.What is the parking situation?
Quiescence Chinese Medicine is located on St Georges road Fitzroy North where there is free street parking aplenty. (Please be mindful of signage.)
For PTV users, the No. 11 tram stops right out front.
Does your clinic have access for all abilities?
All treatment rooms at Quiescence Chinese Medicine are located upstairs. If you have accessibility needs, please get in touch
How do I prepare the herbs?
I tend to prescribe pills or granulated herbs for convenience, as they require little preparation.Instructions are provided for raw herbs if they are indicated for you.
Are the herbs going to taste bad?
I always say if they are the right herbs for you they should be palatable.
