DR CINDY LU
GP + Medical Acupuncturist
10 Coronation Pde, Enfield. NSW. 2136
Ph: (02) 9745 4448
relieving your pain & stress with acupuncture
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a system of healing developed thousands of years ago in China, where precise points on the skin are stimulated by fine needles, moxa (heat) or pressure. Acupuncture enlists the body's own healing capacity to re-balance the flow of energy (Qi) in the body, thus relieving pain, muscular tension, and restoring homeostasis (the state of balanced function + well-being).
What conditions can acupuncture help?
Acupuncture may help:
- Painful conditions such as neck pain, upper back/ shoulder pain, muscular pain or tendonitis, headaches and migraines.
Acupuncture may help manage your pain better, with less side effects, fewer medications, and may be a useful part of your treatment plan if surgery may not be appropriate for your condition.
- Morning sickness
- Stress, anxiety and insomnia
- Menopausal symptoms and Pre-menstrual tension
- Pre and Post-operative pain
Please see Dr Lu for a consult to discuss whether acupuncture may be a suitable treatment for your condition.
Why consider seeing Dr Lu for Acupuncture?
As a Doctor trained and registered in both Western medicine and Acupuncture, Dr Lu has combined knowledge as well as clinical experience in both fields. This ensures that you will be appropriately assessed and that the most suitable treatments for you are used. Where Acupuncture is used, Dr Lu will advise its role in your overall management and ensure that Acupuncture is applied safely.
As Dr Lu is a registered Medical Acupuncturist, your Acupuncture consults with her will be eligible for Medicare rebates.
How does Acupuncture work?
Research into acupuncture shows it works via a number of ways.
Acupuncture relaxes muscles, increases local blood flow and stimulates nerve fibres. At the spinal cord level, this acts as a "pain gate" which stops other pain signals from going further. Acupuncture also inhibits pain by acting on the pain pathways of the brain, and by the release of anti-stress hormones (endorphins). In chronic pain, acupuncture reduces the release of inflammatory substances, and down-regulates the sensitivity of the pain pathways.
I'm interested in Acupuncture, but doesn't it hurt?
If you don't like needles, painless acupuncture can be applied using Laser or Ear acupuncture with metal beads.
Press needles (very short needles) are very effective for painful knots in muscles especially in the neck, and they cause no or minimal pain.
The needles used in acupuncture are very fine, and you may feel a small sting or ache, but this usually disappears after a few seconds. Often patients find that once the needles are in and doing their work, acupuncture is actually quite relaxing.
How long does it take to work?
This depends on how long you have had your condition. Acute conditions, for example muscle or tendon strains, usually respond quicker, needing 2-6 sessions. It is recommended to come as soon as possible after your injury, and attend twice a week.
Chronic conditions, which have been present for months or years, will take longer to respond. However, some improvement will usually be seen by 4-6 sessions. Treatments are about weekly initially, with longer intervals as you improve.