How we make Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine work for you

The effect of good acupuncture treatment however is to do more than simply treat the symptoms. If it is OK with you, we'll continue to use the term traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

We know that every person is individually different to others. You react to a particular type of treatment in your own unique way. We all react (positively or negatively) to medicines, herbs, or even food in our own special and different way.

If you guess that each and every one of us should have our very own medicine… crafted to suit our individual body…then you’d be 100% right!

So here's how we make it work for you.

Pier Tsui-Po’s role may be likened to that of a musician tuning an instrument. Diagnosis determines the "tone" of the individual strings of the instrument, treatment involves “tuning” the strings to restore a coordinated sound. When all strings resonate harmoniously, health follows.

This approach, where the whole person as well as the symptom is taken into consideration, is integral to the traditional acupuncturist. It is contrasted with the symptomatic approach (by lesser trained or inexperienced practitioners) which uses treatment formulae only for symptoms, without rhyme or reason, and where no heed is paid to the overall energy imbalance.

Differential diagnosis and treating the whole person rather than the disease, is particularly appropriate in two cases. There are some people who feel quite unwell in themselves but do not have a sufficiently serious or “physical” complaint to present themselves as “sick”. TCM theory can diagnose the imbalance and restore well-being without the person having a named disease.

Many patients also come to the acupuncturist for preventive treatment, to keep the instrument in tune. Pier can often detect and treat imbalances before the patient is aware of any symptoms.

TCM directed at restoring the overall energy balance will deal with the illness. You’ll also feel better in a general way. Many of Pier’s patients often say “I’m feeling much better in myself”, “I’ve got increased energy and vitality”, “I can now enjoy life better”, or “I’m more confident and I sleep better”.

Can Acupuncture or Chinese herbs treat everything?

TCM is not a cure all. Fortunately it can deal with certain conditions extremely effectively and many of these conditions are the problems, or failures of other modalities.

Some people respond better to TCM than others. Like all medicine, acupuncture alone does not have an answer for everything. However, a wide variety of conditions will respond to treatment; not only with conditions where pain is a major symptom, but also many chronic conditions that do not respond well to other forms of treatment.

Does it hurt?

In a word – NO! The special needles that are used in acupuncture treatment are as thin as a strand of hair. They are absolutely nothing like the needles that a western medical doctor uses, and which most people fear.

The acupuncture needle glides into the skin with virtually no sensation at all. If you were blindfolded and didn’t know where the needle was going to be put, chances are you wouldn’t feel the placement at all. If you were told where the placement was to occur, and you concentrated hard, the most you would feel is a very faint tingle.

Performed by Pier Tsui-Po, you don’t even feel the needle penetrate the skin. You’ll know that Pier has worked with the Chi when you receive the Chi sensation, which is a very brief feeling such as heaviness, tingling, numbness, a sensation of heat or cold along the meridian. This feeling is the key to getting results.

How safe are the acupuncture needles?

The treatment is very safe because Pier Tsui-Po uses sterilised disposable needles that are only used once. He is also bound by the stringent standards set by the Health department, Chinese Medicine Registration Board of Victoria and various Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine accreditation bodies in Australia and overseas.

How long is the session?

Your regular treatment session will last approximately 30 minutes. During that time you will be quietly relaxing while your body’s own health care mechanisms are assisted in doing their job properly.

Please allow 45 minutes if it is your first session or if your last visit was over 6 months ago.

What should I do after my session?

You’ll feel very relaxed after your treatment. For a few hours you should remain in a calm state. If possible, take things easy or rest. Do not have a hot bath, do not drink excessively, do not overeat and avoid strenuous exercise.

Once they have regained their health, many of Pier’s patients become interested in health maintenance and care for their ongoing welfare.

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