Frequently Asked Questions 

How does Acupuncture work? 

One of the ways Acupuncture works is to increase blood circulation and healing in the affected area. It also works to re-balance hormones by switching your body from stressed out ‘fight or flight mode’ into normal ‘rest and recovery mode’. Acupuncture even works to reduce the pain signals sent to the brain.

From a Chinese Medicine point of view, Acupuncture works to ensure the free flow of Qi (chee) energy so that every part of the body receives enough and can heal and function at its best. It works to re-balance the body, relieve heat when you’re really hot, provide more warmth when your bodies been very cold and to nourish it and restore it when its feeling run down.

Every person has a slightly different Chinese Med ‘pattern’ that their body and symptoms fall into. Once this pattern is treated with Acupuncture (and herbs when applicable), the main condition AND the other seemingly unrelated symptoms are relieved. This is the magic of Chinese Medicine and how it provides such a holistic treatment.

Will Acupuncture Hurt?

At Embrace Acupuncture, your comfort and happiness are our greatest concern. Super fine, pain minimizing needles are coupled with the gentlest techniques to leave you feeling calm and relaxed. Areas of the body that have thin skin and minimal overlying muscle (eg the hand) can be more sensitive than areas with more flesh/muscle (eg the back). Keeping this is mind we keep these points to a minimum and do only what is really needed for relief for the symptoms. The single use, sterilised needles are less than 0.18mm. Thats a 1/5 of 1mm or 3 strands of hair in thickness!

Once the needles have been gently inserted, any discomfort will fade quickly so you can lie back, relax and let the acupuncture do its work!

What about herbs?

As trained Chinese Herbalists as well as Acupuncturists, you can rest assured you’re in safe hands. During your Initial Consultation, our job is to ascertain the most effective way to relieve your symptoms, as quickly as possible and have you feeling great again! Sometimes this involves just Acupuncture, other times a combination of herbs and Acupuncture is best. If we feel herbs are needed we will let you know before hand as they are additional to the consult price. The TGA approved herbs are brewed by Aussie companies according to strict guidelines.

While we absolutely encourage you to try at least one session of Acupuncture with us (not all acupuncturists are alike!), if you strongly feel Acupuncture is not for you, we do offer herbs only consultations (just book in a 20min herb/supplement consultation online.) This can be done in person or over the phone but a full initial in person consult is needed for the first time.

Prices & duration

See our booking page for prices & durations

Please allow at least 5 mins for parking and an extra 5 mins before your Initial Consult to fill in any extra forms.

Cancellation policy

When you have made a booking, this appointment space has been kept for you, at the exclusion of others who may want the same appointment time as you. While we do understand things change and can happen, in fairness to the practitioner for holding that time for you, we do have a strict 24h cancellation policy.

Appointment reminders are sent out 2 days before hand, allowing plenty of time to ensure this time is still suitable for you. If less than 24h notice is given to rescheduling or cancelling an appointment, an invoice will be issued for 50% of the consult fee.

Private health insurance

We have HICAPS available at the clinic so if you have private health insurance and it covers Acupuncture, then you can claim instantly and pay only the gap – hooray!

Where is Embrace Acupuncture exactly?

Embrace Acupuncture is located at 475 High St Northcote, between Separation St & Darebin Rd. It is a 5-10 min walk from Northcote Station on the South Morang train line.

We are located within Natura Medica Clinic.

Parking

1 hour parking is available on all the surrounding streets including High St & Beavers Rd, with some 2h parking on Beavers Rd or in the Northcote Plaza carpark a 5 min walk away.