Fees
1 hour $90
1 hour ACC* $30
Treatments are usually 1 hour in duration. Shorter or longer treatments can be arranged.
Discounts can be considered for patients with financial hardships.
*ACC claims must be pre-approved by your GP and the claim number brought along to your first appointment.
In Roger's clinic, he commonly sees and treats the following conditions:
- Musculoskeletal
Lower back pain, shoulder and rotator cuff injuries, neck pain, joint sprains, muscle strain, sciatica, arthritis and sporting injuries. - Respiratory Conditions
Common cold or flu, asthma, sinus problems, hay fever and bronchitis. - Gastrointestinal Disorders
Nausea, constipation, diarrhoea, irritable bowel syndrome, haemorrhoids, heartburn and reflux. - Cardiovascular Conditions
High or low blood pressure, angina and heart palpitations. - Women's Health
Irregular or painful periods, fertility disorders, premenstrual difficulties and menopausal symptoms. - Pregnancy
Morning sickness, breech baby, heartburn, elevated blood pressure, oedema, lower back pain and preparation for labour.
- Men's Health
Fertility disorders, prostate problems and erectile dysfunction. - Neurological Conditions
Headaches (including migraine), trigeminal neuralgia, shingles, Meniere's disease, tinnitus, Bell's palsy, post-stroke syndrome, insomnia and excessive dreaming. - Metabolic Disorders
Chronic fatigue syndrome, adrenal insufficiency and hormonal irregularities. - Urological Disorders
Urinary tract infections, nocturia and bed-wetting. - Psychological Disorders
Post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression and smoking or drug addiction. - Skin Disorders
Acne, psoriasis, eczema and scarring.
Before your appointment
It is not advisable to have acupuncture on an empty stomach, so it's best to have something to eat 1-2 hours before your appointment. A light snack or fruit will suffice. Wear loose, comfortable clothing.
Firstly, the patient is asked to fill in a consent and contact form, and pertinent questions may be asked, such as diet and lifestyle, to enable correct diagnoses and treatment options.
Description of treatment
From diagnosis, Roger uses Chinese medical theory to formulate a treatment plan. The integrated health system looks for underlying weaknesses or pressures, which may lead to ill health. Chinese medical theory looks at the patient holistically, at how external or internal influences such as environment, trauma or stress may cause a patient to stray outside of their normal health zone. Chinese medicine can be used to identify causes and aims to restore balance in one's life and ultimately restore the health of an individual.
In Chinese medical theory, the body has a complex energetic system of meridians or pathways, through which energy flows. This process may be similar but not identical to the neurological system. A strong connection between the individual's mind and body can be enhanced using the fine needles and skill of the acupuncturist. The Chinese describe the body's life force as “Qi” which may mobilise the tissues in the body. When a person's qi is balanced and flowing correctly, superior health is acquired. When the meridians or qi pathways become blocked or hindered, pain and sickness can result. Restoration of health comes from manipulation of the energetic pathways to unblock problem areas. Acupuncture is directed at acupuncture points on the body. These are likened to keys or gates, which may be switched through careful manipulation of very fine, single-use, sterile needles.
Often several acupoints are manipulated, interestingly, sometimes in places far distant from the patient's problem area; for instance, a point on the leg may be used to influence digestion, or a point on the hand to treat pain in the head.
There are many theories on how exactly acupuncture works. Some see closeness between the nervous system and meridian channels. Other theories include an immunological or hormonal response from the insertion of needles in specific body areas.
The insertion of a needle can be used to direct the patient's mind to connect and stimulate a self-healing system. A resetting of an innate energy system similar to a repair of electrical wiring is the result. Patients may take a series of treatments over some weeks or months to feel lasting benefits, whereas some patients may experience positive results in just one or two treatments.
Acupuncture, when used by a trained acupuncturist, is a safe medical tool with few or no undesirable side effects. Patients use acupuncture as an alternative to, or in conjunction with, Western pharmaceutical or surgical treatment.
Many modern Western medical professionals are now embracing Chinese medical techniques and incorporating them into their treatment protocols.
Physiotherapists, Chiropractors and Osteopaths often work alongside acupuncturists and combine therapies.
Chinese medical tools
Acupuncture uses very fine, single-use, sterile needles inserted into acupoints on the skin. Upon insertion, a patient may experience a dull, deep sensation, which is the result of stimulation of the energy system of the body. In some cases, electroacupuncture may be used. This is when a minute electrical charge is applied to the needles to give an enhanced effect or speed the treatment in certain conditions.
Moxibustion involves the use of combustible material (usually Artemisia argyi), to heat the desired body area or acupoint. Therapeutically, this warms and stimulates, to promote energy flow, or dispel a pathogen from the body.
Cupping is a method where a glass or plastic jar is sucked on to a body area or acupoint. Energy flow is stimulated and can have a strong dispelling function, drawing blood and pathogens from within the body tissue. Cupping can leave some marks on the body for up to a week following treatment. In acute and chronic conditions, cupping is useful for the treatment of pain in the body.
Tuina is the art of Chinese massage. This can be performed on acupoints or specific meridians to enhance energy flow. Sensitive patients like children may prefer tuina or a combination with cupping or moxibustion as a treatment option.
