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.
Acupuncture is performed when a practitioner inserts hair-thin stainless steel needles into different areas of the body. These needles then stay in position for anywhere between 25-40 minutes. This time can be reduced for those who are extremely sensitive to needles.
The best way to choose an acupuncturist is by ensuring they are highly qualified and accredited. The ANTA acupuncture directory is a great resource, as all practitioners must meet stringent membership requirements before being included, especially for qualifications.
You can find the ANTA acupuncture directory by using the form at the top of this page.
If you would prefer to find an acupuncture clinic yourself, there are some important things to keep in mind.
All acupuncturists must be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). National and formally-recognised accreditation is extremely important to check, as is malpractice insurance.
All medicine and therapies evolve with new information, and this includes acupuncture. It is vital that acupuncturists have up-to-date knowledge on advancements within the field, as well as the latest techniques, in order to provide you with the best and most effective service.
Like many medical fields, acupuncturists can specialise in certain areas. If you are looking to treat a specific issue (for example, pain relief) consider searching for a specialised acupuncturist. They will have more experience in the specific area, as well as techniques specifically designed to treat your ailment or issue.
Australia legally requires sealed, single-use needles to be used in acupuncture. The practice must also be performed in a sterilised area, as it is a medical treatment.
As acupuncture is a more holistic method, an acupuncturist will want to know information about your lifestyle, including medical history, diet, lifestyle, and past problems. Your first appointment may be a detailed discussion about everything from your sleep habits, digestive functions, and emotional health to your urinary and sexual function. This depends on the problem you are wanting to address. Being aware and prepared for this can assist your acupuncturist to understand what aspects of your life may be contributing to your ailment, which is extremely important for an effective treatment to be devised. Thinking about this information prior to your appointment can help.
Acupuncture has been proven by science to treat a range of medical conditions, whether physical, mental, or neurological. These conditions and illnesses include:
Acupuncture stimulates nerves by inserting thin needles into the body. This enhances the body’s ability to heal itself. Depending on the condition or problem discussed during an initial consultation, needles will be positioned in different areas of the body.
Because acupuncture involves needles, it is associated with the idea of a painful treatment. Acupuncture is actually not painful, and many people feel nothing when receiving treatment. Some people experience a tingling sensation or ache, but this should be very mild. If you do feel pain during a session, you should inform your acupuncturist, and they may adjust needle position.
Acupuncture does not hurt, and should not be painful. If a patient feels any sensation, it is usually a mild tingling or ache, which is considered a positive sign the treatment is working. Most patients feel nothing during the process, which is also a positive sign.
While both treatments involve needles being inserted into the body, acupuncture and dry needling have distinct differences. Acupuncture has been practiced for 2,500 years, and involves the Traditional Chinese Medicine concept of Qi. It incorporates a holistic method. Dry needling is a more modern technique that aims to stimulate specific trigger points or muscles that are causing issues. Other aspects, such as energy flow, are not considered in dry needling.
There are very few side effects of acupuncture, and those that do exist are very rare. Potential side effects can include bruising, soreness, light-headedness, fatigue, and emotional sensitivity. Some of these are effects of the needles themselves, and some are a result of emotional blockages being reduced through acupuncture. Any post-treatment soreness will usually disappear within 24 hours. More intensive treatments may last a little longer.
Searching for a qualified and experienced practitioner reduces the chance of experiencing any adverse side effects. This can be done through our acupuncture directory, located at the top of this page.
