Our natural therapy association has been accrediting acupuncturists for more than 60 years, ensuring that they meet the high educational and training standards required for membership. Every acupuncturist in our directory is qualified and capable of delivering first-rate treatment, which ensures you are searching for only the best therapists in Australia.
Find local acupuncture practitioners across Australia using our directory of the leading expert practitioners who have been individually accredited by ANTA.
Acupuncture is the process of inserting thin, flexible needles into the body, to provide pain relief and treat a range of symptoms. The stainless steel needles are used to stimulate meridians (lines running through the body), acupuncture points, or neural zones underneath the skin.
Acupuncture has been practised for over 2,500 years, originating in modern-day China. Some people believe it was practised in Eurasia as early as the Stone Age, with possible acupuncture needles found made of stone and animal bone.
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine that has ancient roots. The first description of acupuncture diagnosis and treatment appears in The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine, written around 300 BC in China. The chinese created needles from bamboo, copper, silver, iron, bronze and gold, and it’s believed that modern hypodermic needles were inspired from these original versions.
Traditional Chinese medicine states the existence of Qi (pronounced chee)—a life force within the body that flows along 12 to 14 pathways (meridians), between and through the surface of the body (skin, fascia, muscle, bone) and its internal organs. An imbalance or disruption to the flow of Qi can trigger illness, which can be manipulated and fixed with acupuncture.
The existence of Qi has never been scientifically proven, but despite this, acupuncture has been proven to treat a wide range of issues, including chronic pain, anxiety, fertility problems, and weight loss.
Given the complexity of the body and its numerous systems, it’s difficult to pin down a single process that makes acupuncture work, and in fact, it may work in a number of different ways.
A 2013 study (Dominic P Lu, Gabriel P Lu, 2013, PMC) from Dominic and Gabriel Lu found that acupuncture activates neurohormonal pathways, triggering biochemical processes in the body and releasing “endorphins, serotonin, enkephalins, γ-aminobutyric acid, norepinephrine and dopamine,” which can help to heal the patient.
By stimulating the body’s nerves, acupuncture needles send signals to the brain, which releases neural hormones that can make the patient feel happy, and reduce their pain. It’s thought that acupuncture doesn’t directly release feel-good chemicals, but instead works at a broader level, stimulating organs such as the pituitary gland, which produces extra hormones.
Other studies have shown that acupuncture decreases proinflammatory markers such as IL-1β and TNF, which reduces inflammation and pain. A common example of a proinflammatory marker in acupuncture is below the knee, which when targeted, can reduce inflammation across the entire body, as well as increase energy levels, and strengthen the immune system.
When using acupuncture to treat nerve damage, it’s believed that the needle sends signals to the brain that tell it to grow and repair nerves, which leads to nerve regeneration. When used in conjunction with fertility treatments, acupuncture has shown to increase the effectiveness of hormone-increasing drugs, with a better balance of hormones, and an improved chance of the patient becoming pregnant2.
Location template
Acupuncture involves the insertion of hair-thin stainless steel needles into the body. They usually remain in place for 25 to 40 minutes. People with greater sensitivity generally fall on the short end of the spectrum.
You should always choose an acupuncturist with complete qualification and accreditation. ANTA imposes strict guidelines on the membership of its practitioners, which means our acupuncture directory is a good place to start.
If you would prefer to locate an acupuncture clinic yourself, here is what you need to take into account.
Practitioners are required to have standardised and formal accreditation, AHPRA registrations, and suitable malpractice insurance.
Whether Western or Chinese, medicine is constantly evolving. Acupuncture is the same, and to find the best treatment you need to seek out a practitioner with contemporary knowledge of the principles in their field, and a modern repertoire of clinical skills.
Like Western medical practitioners, acupuncturists often specialise in a certain area, like pain relief or fertility. If you have specific needs, consider looking for an acupuncturist with a special interest in your area.
As with any medical treatment, acupuncture must be performed in a sterilised area. Sealed, single-use needles are a legal requirement in Australia.
Acupuncture is a holistic treatment that aims to heal your entire body, rather than individual afflictions. An acupuncturist will look to gain a clear understanding of your overall wellbeing during your initial consultation, which means it could be a lengthy one. They may ask personal questions regarding your emotional state, prior illness, your sexual wellbeing, and your digestive habits. Although they seem a little invasive, the answers to these questions will be key in developing holistic solutions to address your complaints.
Acupuncture is scientifically proven to effectively address numerous medical conditions of neurological, mental, and physical natures. Some ailments include:
Acupuncture is a completely natural treatment that works with your body’s natural healing functions. The small needles, when inserted, trigger your body’s remarkable capacity for regeneration and self-regulation.
Acupuncture is a painless form of therapy, which is surprising to a lot of people, who naturally associate needles with pain. Usually, the sensations associated with acupuncture are limited to slight tingling, or, at worst, a mild ache.
Acupuncture is painless and is usually only accompanied by mild tingling feelings, or occasionally a slight ache.
Dry needling is an amalgamation of acupuncture and Western medical principles. It works to stimulate certain points, or muscles that are specifically causing issues. Acupuncture, on the other hand, is designed to redirect your body’s Qi and solve imbalances in your biomechanical system as a whole.
Side effects of acupuncture are extremely rare, and usually less severe than conventional drug treatments. Potential rare side effects include bruising, soreness, light-headedness, fatigue, and emotional sensitivity (e.g. crying). Any soreness that a patient feels typically disappears within a day, but more intensive treatments can last for longer.
To prevent the chance of adverse side effects, search for a qualified and accredited practitioner from our acupuncture directory, located at the top of this page.
Bulk billing is determined on a case by case basis, and as part of a multidisciplinary treatment regime. You will need a referral from a general practitioner and you will need to book with an accredited and AHPRA registered acupuncturist.
We have a wide range of acupuncturists who will complete pregnancy acupuncture in Brisbane. However, it is considered on a case by case basis, and often in conjunction with the advice of a multidisciplinary antenatal care team.
Certain Brisbane acupuncturists offer fertility acupuncture, although it is considered a specialty field. We would suggest searching our directory for a practitioner with a special interest in fertility acupuncture.
