Acupuncture
Hands-on acupuncture with Dr Reece Yeo, Integrative Chinese Medicine Practitioner, matched to you and explained as he goes.
Part of Reece's Resilience Medicine approach.
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is one of the main treatments in Chinese medicine. Reece places very fine needles at points chosen for you, based on what he finds when he examines you and the Chinese medicine pattern behind your symptoms. Chinese medicine, including acupuncture, is a registered health profession in Australia, and Reece is registered with AHPRA as a Chinese medicine practitioner.
More than one style
Reece has trained in many acupuncture systems, so he can match the approach to you rather than fit you to one method. He practises Tung and Tan style acupuncture, Neoclassical acupuncture, Neuro-Meridian acupuncture, Motor Point acupuncture, Trigger Point acupuncture and dry needling, medical auriculotherapy and Yamamoto New Scalp Acupuncture (YNSA).
"I've trained in several acupuncture systems (Tung, Tan, Neoclassical, trigger point and dry needling), so I can choose the approach that suits each person." (Reece)
What a session is like
Every treatment starts with a conversation and an examination, so Reece understands what's going on before he treats it. He explains what he's doing and why, and you can ask questions at any point. An acupuncture treatment takes about 30 minutes.
Coming in for a muscle or joint problem? The acupuncture-only consultation starts with a shorter questionnaire focused on that problem. Your visit includes a physical and musculoskeletal assessment, acupuncture, plus moxibustion and photobiomodulation (laser) where suitable, and advice on looking after it at home. Follow-ups include a progress review, more treatment and advice for home.
For anything beyond a straightforward muscle or joint problem, start with the Comprehensive Initial Consultation of up to 180 minutes. It includes an acupuncture treatment where it's clinically appropriate.
Laser acupuncture: a needle-free option
Not keen on needles? Photobiomodulation, sometimes called laser acupuncture, uses low-level (Class 3B) laser light on the skin, including at acupuncture points, without needles. Protective eyewear is used. Reece holds a Laser Safety Certificate from the Australian Medical Photobiomodulation Association (AMPA), and he's a member of AMPA.
Photobiomodulation may help with neck pain, knee osteoarthritis pain, tennis elbow and other tendon pain, and the aches of fibromyalgia.
Reece also uses other techniques without needles, such as moxibustion, acupressure and gua sha.
Where acupuncture may help
People come to Reece for acupuncture for many reasons. These are the areas where the research supports saying acupuncture may help:
- Ongoing back and neck pain
- Knee osteoarthritis pain
- Tension headaches, and having fewer migraines over time
- Hot flushes and night sweats, for some women with menopausal symptoms
- Nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy, and tiredness after cancer treatment, with your oncology team kept in the loop
- Pain and stress when you live with an autoimmune condition, alongside your GP and specialist
A large analysis of individual patient data from randomised trials found that acupuncture worked better than both sham (placebo) acupuncture and no acupuncture for chronic back, neck and shoulder pain, osteoarthritis and chronic headache, and that the benefit mostly lasted over time. [1]
See all of Reece's areas of interest
Is acupuncture safe?
Reece is registered with AHPRA as a Chinese medicine practitioner (CMR0001952522) and is a member of the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA). Before your first treatment, you'll answer a few health questions so he can treat you safely. If anything needs extra care, he'll talk it through with you before going ahead, and in some cases he may suggest a different treatment or practitioner.
Reece uses sterile, single-use, disposable needles, so every needle is new and is thrown away after your treatment. Afterwards, you might notice some mild bruising or soreness where a needle went in, and you may feel relaxed, tired or sleepy. A few people feel lightheaded or faint during or after treatment, so tell Reece straight away if you feel unwell. Serious problems are rare.
Fees and health fund rebates
An acupuncture initial consultation is up to 90 minutes and costs $210. Acupuncture follow-ups are up to 60 minutes and cost $150. Both are face to face in Burleigh Heads. The Comprehensive Initial Consultation is up to 180 minutes and costs $590.
Medicare doesn't cover these consultations. Depending on your level of cover, you may get a private health fund rebate for acupuncture, so check with your fund. There's no HICAPS on site: you pay on the day and claim from your fund yourself. Payment is by card only, and no cash is kept on the premises.
Request a booking
Send a booking request. It gives Reece what he needs to prepare for you, and he'll be in touch about next steps. Questions first? Email reece@drreeceyeo.com.
References
- Vickers AJ, Vertosick EA, Lewith G, et al. Acupuncture for Chronic Pain: Update of an Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis. J Pain. 2018;19(5):455-474. PMC5927830. PMID 29198932