Acupuncture & More

Traditional, Esoteric, Dry Needling & Gua Sha

"Healing is not about fixing the body; it's about restoring balance."

At Intuitive Health and Wellness, we believe in blending ancient wisdom with modern wellness to help you feel whole - body, mind, and soul.

The therapies we offer, like Acupuncture, are rooted in a deep understanding of how the body and its energy systems operate, giving us insight into what we need to heal and thrive.

Acupuncture is a holistic approach that not only addresses specific symptoms like pain relief, but also seeks to balance the entire body's energy system for improved overall wellbeing. It works by stimulating the body’s natural healing processes. By tapping into this holistic view of health, we can work with the body’s natural rhythms and energy to restore harmony, helping you live with greater ease and vitality.

How does Acupuncture work? This is the five-thousand-year-old question! While there are many theories about how and why Acupuncture works that are being studied and substantiated, there is evidence that Acupuncture helps to balance the autonomic nervous system (ANS). (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3677642/) 

The ANS is the driver for many functions in the body, including stress response, hormone regulation, muscular/nerve activities, digestion, metabolism, libido, respiratory function, and other involuntary processes. This may help to explain why Acupuncture is utilised in such a wide range of cases. There is also more tangible evidence regarding on the physical impact of acupuncture on muscle motor points, the fascial layer, and soft tissue adhesions. 

The fundamental idea behind Acupuncture is that the body contains a vital energy force known as Qi (pronounced "chee") that flows through specific pathways, or meridians. When the flow of Qi is disrupted or blocked, it can lead to imbalances that manifest as pain, illness, or discomfort.

Acupuncture works by gently inserting super-thin needles into specific points on your body aiming to boost your energy flow, or "Qi" to bring your body back into balance. These points, called Acupoints, correspond to different organs, bodily functions, or emotional states. By stimulating these acupoints, Acupuncture is believed to unblock stagnant energy, allowing it to flow smoothly and promoting the body's natural healing processes.

What does Acupuncture treat?

First and foremost, Acupuncture treats people. Your practitioner won’t focus on just one symptom, rather look at the body as a whole system.  People seek support for a variety of concerns:

  • Chronic Pain and Muscular Pain.

  • Headaches and Migraines.

  • Hormonal Imbalances,

  • Sleep problems.

  • Fertility Issues.

  • Peri-menopausal symptoms.

  • Stress, anxiety and depression.

Acupuncture

What to explore how Acupuncture can support you?

Book a free 15-minute discovery call with our therapists today.

Esoteric Acupuncture

For those wanting to go beyond the physical, Esoteric Acupuncture takes things to a deeper, more spiritual level. Esoteric Acupuncture is a fusion of Eastern energetic healing paradigms, including traditional Acupuncture, chakra healing systems, and sacred geometric principles. This form of Acupuncture is aimed at harmonising the physical and spiritual body, aligning you to your desired life manifestations. What does that mean? It means working past blockages or deficiencies and finding the energy, strength, and clarity within you to move beyond the limitations you are currently experiencing. 

Who is Esoteric Acupuncture for?

Anyone can participate in Esoteric treatments. Perhaps your emotions feel trapped or unanchored. Perhaps progress on a physical or emotional condition has plateaued. Or maybe you are feeling ready for a fully transformational experience in life. Esoteric Acupuncture guides the way for you to cultivate yourself in both the physical and spiritual planes to move forward in simultaneously grounded and expansive ways. Point combinations and sensory modalities are intuitively chosen by your practitioner, based on formulated principles, and your needs on the day.  

Please note, Esoteric Acupuncture is not intended to treat any specific mental health conditions. It is encouraged to be working with a mental health professional alongside Esoteric treatments, if you need or suspect you may need additional mental health support.  

Dry Needling

Dry Needling may look similar to Acupuncture, but it has a different focus. It's all about targetting those tight spots in muscles (called Trigger Points) to relieve tension and improve mobility. Dry Needling may be sought by those dealing with chronic muscle pain or recovering from an injury, for targeted relief.

What can Dry Needling help with?

  • Muscle Pain and Tightness.

  • Sports Injuries.

  • Tendonitis.

  • Sciatica.

  • Poor Posture and Related Issues.

Gua Sha

No needles here - Gua Sha is a traditional Chinese medicine therapy, used to manually break up stagnation and increase the circulation of “Qi” and blood. The word "Gua" refers to the sliding motion used in this unique bodywork technique, and "Sha" refers to the colour that appears with treatment.   Gua Sha tools can vary in size, shape, and material. But the modern standard is often a ceramic soup spoon. Among its many uses, it's often used in the treatment of muscle pain where there has been ongoing muscle tension or a previous injury.  Gua Sha is often described as a relaxing, non-invasive and complementary therapy to Acupuncture, to help stimulate the body’s natural healing processes.

How is Gua Sha different?

Gua Sha breaks up stagnation under the skin, gets '“Qi’ or energy flowing, and encourages lymphatic drainage. Gua Sha is an optional therapy for:

  • Easing Neck and Shoulder Tension.

  • Supporting the Immune System.

  • Helping with Headaches and Migraines.

Ready to discover the power of natural healing?

FAQs

  • Hopefully! If you have extras coverage, you may be eligible for a rebate on your sessions. You can ask your practitioner if they are a registered provider. (Our practitioner, Dr. Sarah is a registered provider with most private funds: MediBank, Bupa, AHM, ARHG and all affiliated funds, Australian Unity, CBHS, Health Partners, and NIB.) 

  • The number of sessions varies depending on your condition and how your body responds. Some people experience relief after one session, while others may need several treatments to see significant improvement. Your practitioner will work with you to make sure you understand your treatment, and know what to expect.

  • Yes, acupuncture is often used alongside other therapies, such as chiropractic care or massage, to enhance overall treatment results. Always consult your practitioner before combining treatments.

  • You'll lie comfortably while fine needles are inserted at specific points on your body. The procedure is usually painless, and the needles are left in place for about 20-30 minutes while you relax.

  • Acupuncture treatments can invite a variety of sensations. While there may be a minor prickly sensation as the pin is placed, most patients say they don’t feel any pain during their treatments. Sensations you could experience at the points may include heaviness, warmth, and light throbbing.

    Different practitioners may have different needling styles, so it’s important to communicate with your practitioner if you are feeling uncomfortable at any time. 

  • It's recommended to hydrate well and wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the treatment areas. You can also eat a light meal beforehand to avoid discomfort.

  • Some people feel immediate relief after the first session, while others may notice improvements over the next few days as muscle tension is released and healing begins.

  • Yes, however your practitioner may choose to adjust the pressure to avoid irritation. Always inform your practitioner if you have skin sensitivities or any pre-existing skin conditions​ that may affect your Gua Sha treatmenrt.

  • It’s quite normal to see discoloration in treated areas, these marks usually fade within a few days. The ‘Sha’ or coloration left from Gua Sha treatment can range from light-pink, to dark-purple, to red with speckles. Lighter colours usually indicate that there is little stagnation (stuckness) in the tissues. The darker the colour, the more stagnation and the longer it will take for the marks to go away. Dark red or purple marks indicate deep stagnation, often from an old injury or from years of muscular constriction. Purple can also indicate ‘cold’ in the tissues. Red marks with dark speckles usually indicate stagnation with heat/inflammation.  

  • After Gua Sha, it's important to rest, stay hydrated, and avoid intense physical activity for the remainder of the day to allow your body to recover and begin to heal.