Both acupuncture and dry needling involves the insertion of fine needles at specific points on the body, however in theory it differs greatly. Chinese Medicine practitioners and acupuncturists study a minimum of 4 years Bachelor course, at least 900 hours of clinic training on campus and registered with CMBA. Professional development is mandatory for registered practitioners every year in accordance to the board's registration standard. Chinese Medicine follows a holistic approach to restore the harmony between the mind and body. Dry needling certificate can be obtained after 48-72 hours of coursework and not registered with CMBA. Whether annual professional development is required by board is unknown. Dry needling is the insertion of needles targeting the areas of muscular pain.

Chinese Medicine professionals are registered and accredited with AHPRA and CMBA, the government organisation responsible for health professionals across Australia. Our practitioner is a member of Federation of Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture Societies of Australia (FCMA). Practitioner search is available on these websites.

Yes, of course. Acupuncture can be used to assist in IVF or fertility treatment. In most cases there is no reason for contraindication. Some fertility specialists may advise against using additional herbal remedies with their pharmaceutical protocols in case of interference. In this case acupuncture treatment can continue in place of herbal medicine. Please check with your fertility specialist first if you have any concerns.

Generally you shouldn't have any aches and pains after acupuncture treatment. Some acupuncture points may be more tender than others, but this can be reduced before you leave the clinic. In rare cases some patients do feel worse before they start feeling better in the next 1-3 days and continue to improve progressively there onwards (a purgative effect).

It is best to wear loose fitting clothes so that sleeves or trousers can be easily rolled up. Tank tops and shorts are fine as well. You can either come prepared or change into comfortable clothing at the clinic before your appointment begins.

Please follow the advice given by your practitioner to maximise the effect of your acupuncture treatment. We do not recommend ice packs to reduce pain as it may constrict blood flow, affect the circulation and slows down healing time. If you feel tired after the session, please take it easy for the rest of the day and don't engage in strenuous exercises. Avoid alcohol and strong coffee for the next 24 hours.

The number of acupuncture treatments you may require all depends on your condition and the recommended treatment plan as discussed with your practitioner. Acute conditions need more acupuncture sessions within 1-2 weeks, such as twice a week. Chronic conditions may require ongoing treatments for 3-6 months or more. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your acupuncture treatment or treatment programs, please speak to your practitioner during the session.

Yes, of course. As practitioners, our goal is to improve and maintain your health condition. Therefore it is appropriate to inform your doctor that you are receiving acupuncture treatments in addition to the healthcare he/she is providing you.

We use super fine, single use, sterile Japanese Seirin acupuncture needles. These are finer than standard acupuncture needles and more suitable for facial treatment to minimise pain and bruising.

We currently stock powdered and/or granulated herbs and honey pills in our dispensary. Raw herbs are upon request and ordered from a reputable online dispensary (located in Melbourne) and posted directly to the client's address. These are ISO/GMP, TGA and CITES approved herbs. Currently we do not stock raw herbs, cooked decoctions or patent pills in the clinic.

All herbal medicaments from Sen Health Clinic is by prescription only. This is to ensure that you have the correct medicine each time as conditions may change throughout your treatments. If you have a prescription from a different clinic and would like to purchase more from us for convenience, please book a "herbal medicine only" consultation and we are happy to assist you from there.

Today, Chinese Medicine practitioners in Australia no longer use some traditional substances and parts from endangered animals. These medicinal herbs are replaced by other approved substances with similar actions. Australia has strict regulations and guidelines for traditional herb imports and in accordance to the CITES listing of endangered species. Therefore, we can 100% guarantee that no endangered animals were harmed at the dispensing of your medication.

This is a tough one. There are 5 main tastes in herbal medicine: sweet, pungent, sour, bitter and salty. Therefore, some formulas may taste sweeter than others, while some may be quite bitter. If the taste of herbs still upset you a little, have yourself a tiny piece of 75% dark chocolate to settle your tastebuds :)

This depends on what you are being treated for. For example, if you are being treated for oedema, then diuretic herbs may be used and you are likely to urinate more often while taking the herbs. Once you finish the herbs, the effects will wear off. In this case, the herbal medicine is changing your body for the better, therefore it is not a negative side effect. In rare cases, if you experience any symptoms or discomfort not related to your treatment plan, please call us as soon as possible and stop all herbal medication. If symptoms become urgent, visit your GP first then return to see us.

The duration of your herbal medicine and prescription repeats all depends on your condition and the recommended treatment plan as discussed with your practitioner. For example, if it is a temporary condition, then you may not be required to take herbal medicine for too long. If it is for a chronic condition, there may be an ongoing prescription. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your herbal prescription, please speak to your practitioner during the session.

Yes, of course. We take great care in understanding your condition and acknowledge any existing prescriptions from your doctor to make sure that our herbal medicament will not interfere with it. We recommend that you inform your regular GP about the herbal medicine.

When you make a booking, the practitioner's time and clinic facilities are set aside exclusively for you. We understand that your schedule might change, therefore we respectfully ask for at least 24 hours notice for cancellation or rescheduling. This allows time to reallocate your appointment to other clients on a waiting list. Unless you have opted out of notifications from us, you will receive an SMS or E-mail reminder 48 hours before to confirm, cancel or change your appointment. Any late changes may incur a fee of $40. If you however do confirm or don't reply to the reminder and miss your appointment, you may be charged 100% for the scheduled appointment type. This fee needs to be paid before booking the next appointment and is not claimable on health funds. Exceptions can be given in the case of an emergency. By proceeding with our online booking, you are confirming you agree with our cancellation and non-attendance policy.

There are 3 ways you can contact us to change or cancel your appointment: Respond to your SMS or email reminder which you will receive 48 hours before your appointment. Call us during business hours or leave a detailed voicemail message if necessary. We will return your call as soon as possible. Send us an email to reception@senhealthclinic.com.au with your appointment details and message. We will reply as soon as possible and update your booking. Unfortunately, we do not accept messages on our social media, WhatsApp or Line apps as formal notifications for rescheduling or cancelling your appointment. We highly recommend that you write down the time and date upon booking in case the automated messages don't go through.

All new clients must complete a "new patient information form". We collect personal details and medical history solely for the purpose of diagnosis, treatment and invoicing which is detailed in our privacy policy and consent section of the form. Please read it carefully prior to signing. Please arrive at the clinic 10 minutes before your appointment to complete the form.

Private health fund rebate is available for the treatment you have received if acupuncture and chiropractic is part of your insurance policy. Please check with your health fund provider prior to your appointment to make sure your level of cover includes these services. To receive rebate, use your health fund card at our clinic on the HICAPS machine or forward the invoice to your private health provider to process the claim.

Only some private health funds have rebate for herbal medicine consultation. The best way is to check with your health fund provider whether that is included in your insurance policy prior to your appointment.