Services
Traditional Chinese Medicine Is More Than Just Acupuncture
In addition to acupuncture, Samantha may also offer you cupping, gua sha or moxibustion as part of your tailored treatment plan. These are included in the cost of your treatment.
Sometimes Chinese herbs may be suggested, to support the body and speed up the healing process. These are patented herbal formulas in capsule form, making them easy and convenient to take. These are not included in the treatment fee.
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Ultra-fine single use needles are used to stimulate the body’s own healing response and help restore your natural balance.
Many people find acupuncture deeply relaxing and frequently fall asleep during their treatment.
There are over 300 acupuncture points on your body, each with its own function. Samantha will choose about 8-15 points, on your arms, legs and head, and sometimes on the torso.
Whether you need acupuncture for pain, fertility, pregnancy etc., your bespoke treatment plan will be designed to promote your individual healing.
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Traditional Chinese Medicine includes Chinese herbs.
At Balance Acupuncture they may be prescribed in easy to take capsule form, if appropriate for your individually tailored treatment plan.
Chinese herbs can help to speed up the healing process.
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This involves suction cups being fixed onto your skin, creating a small vacuum.
Cupping is frequently used on areas with tight muscles, eg the upper back, and can draw out the tension which may be causing your aches and pains.
Cupping can leave temporary marks on your skin, which Samantha will explain beforehand. Like massage, this technique works on a deep level and can leave you feeling looser and more relaxed.
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A Traditional Chinese Medicine massage technique, Gua Sha can be used for deep tissue injuries as well as muscle tension and tightness. It is frequently used for neck and upper back issues.
Your skin is lightly oiled, and then rubbed with a smooth tool, which feels like a firm massage. It can leave temporary marks on your skin and Samantha will discuss this with you in advance.
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A herb called Moxa (artemesia vulgaris) is burnt over specific acupuncture points in order to warm your skin, muscle and the acupuncture channel.
This soothing technique is often used together with acupuncture to enhance it's benefits.
Moxa can be applied directly to the skin, secured onto acupuncture needles or held over the skin.
People can find it beautifully warming and strengthening.
Pain
Are you feeling stiff, sore, tight or just plain ouch?
Many people come to Samantha for help with pain, and this is an area in which she has a particular interest.
Acupuncture can help support a range of health conditions including, but not limited to:
Headaches & Migraines
Shoulder pain & Neck pain
Back pain - chronic & acute
Pelvic pain
Sciatica
Knee pain
Post-operative pain
Plantar fasciitis
TMJ (temporomandibular joint pain)
Fertility & Pregnancy
Supporting you in TTC, Pregnancy, Birth & Postpartum
Samantha has a particular interest in supporting those with fertility issues.
Everyone is welcome; couples, singles and those in same sex relationships.
It’s never too early to get healthy, especially if you’re trying to conceive.
And if you’re experiencing difficulties, this can easily become one of the most stressful times of your life regardless of where you are in your journey, whether TTC naturally or with help, e.g. ART, IUI or IVF.
At Balance Acupuncture, your treatment will involve assessing your cycles and periods. When the body is healthy and the reproductive system is fully functioning, (optimal hormone levels, regular ovulation & pain-free periods) pregnancy is more easily achievable.
Men’s health is also crucial for a healthy baby, and ensuring optimal reproductive health, for both men and women is vital for creating healthy embryos from quality eggs and sperm.
“ It was my own fertility journey that led me to Chinese Medicine. Acupuncture changed my life & ultimately led to a career change.
I wanted to help change other’s lives too.”
Samantha
Enjoying Your Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a time when looking after yourself makes more sense than ever.
This is a unique window, in this formative stage of your lives, to nourish yourself and your baby.
So whatever you’re dealing with, such as nausea & vomiting, back or pelvic pain, acupuncture offers a natural approach to wellness.
Preparing For Birth
Getting ready for that special day.
Many women are interested in preparing their body for birth and hope to avoid a medical induction of labour. Birth preparation acupuncture is typically offered from 36 weeks.
Samantha has a particular interest in supporting those planning a VBAC (vaginal birth after caesarean).
Women’s Health
Supporting You Through Life’s Changes
Sometimes hormones and our reproductive systems can present challenges at different stages of our lives.
Whether it’s the onset of periods in our teens, the fertile years or the change towards perimenopause and menopause, our reproductive systems should always be functioning optimally.
However sometimes the hormonal shifts can be a challenge.
Cycles may be long, irregular or too short.
Periods can be heavy, painful or non-existent.
You may have amenorrhea, PCOS, fibroids, endometriosis, or adenomyosis.
And while all this may be common, it’s not normal.
And then there’s perimenopause & menopause. This may be a natural part of the slowing down of the reproductive system, but some may find symptoms such as hot flushes, emotional changes, insomnia & sleep disturbances etc., creeping in.
General Health
What’s Your Health Goal?
Whether it’s getting back to exercising or being able to get out of bed without pain, Chinese medicine is a complete and holistic system of health care, which may benefit you in many areas of your life.
Supporting the mind and the emotions as well as the body including:
Stress, anxiety & depression
Menopausal hot flushes
Peri-menopausal and post-menopausal sleep disturbances
Headaches – tension type and chronic
Migraine prevention
Hypertension
Hayfever – allergic rhinitis, perennial & seasonal
IBS – Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Chemotherapy induced nausea & vomiting
Ready to get started?
For the latest scientific research on the effectiveness of acupuncture please see:
McDonald J, Janz S. The Acupuncture Evidence Project: A Comparative Literature Review (Revised Edition). Brisbane: Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association Ltd; 2017. https://www.acupuncture.org.au/resources/publications/the-acupuncture-evidence-project
Evidence Based Acupuncture - https://www.evidencebasedacupuncture.org/evidence-summaries/