How long does a treatment take?

Your initial visit will take about 15 minutes for the consultation, which involves a detail interview and evaluation. First Treatment usually takes 1 hour. Follow-up visits will take approximately 40 minutes to 1 hour.

How often you need treatment depends upon the duration, severity and nature of each individual’s complaint. Some acute mild conditions may only require a single treatment and some chronic conditions may require scores of treatments.

Generally from 3 to 12 treatments are adequate for most of the minor and medium common problems, 12 to 24 treatments for majority of chronic conditions. For some very difficult chronic disorders, it might take six months or even a year to make significant progress. However, you have the right to expect that your major complaints will be addressed and well treated in a direct and timely manner.

For pain relief, it is always to get instant result, to gain the sufficient permanently comfort, you may still need more sessions depends on your condition.

We recommend that you wear comfortable, loose clothing with under garments.  Please avoid wearing any perfume or strongly scented lotion.

It is better to avoid drinking coffee or eating a large meal immediately prior to acupuncture but don’t arrive at the clinic feeling really hungry, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Cigarettes, caffeine or recreational drugs make it more difficult for your practitioner to accurately diagnose your condition.

Energetic changes in the body will continue for some time after the needles have been removed so it is preferable to avoid any strenuous activity immediately after treatment. To avoid undoing the effects of the treatment it is also better not to consume any alcohol or recreational drugs.

Depending on the type of treatment you have received, you may feel very relaxed and calm or you may feel revitalized and more clear-headed. It is not unusual to feel like resting after a treatment and occasionally your symptoms may flare for a short time before settling. Generally the effects of the treatment will be more obvious the following day.

Most acupuncture practitioners will ask you to complete an information sheet on your first visit. The questions asked will cover basic information such as your name, address and age, the reason for your visit and how long the condition has been present. They will also ask about any medication you may be taking and whether or not you have had any surgery, even if it is not specifically related to the reason for your visit.

You should also advise the practitioner of any of the following conditions:

• Pregnancy
• Bleeding disorders
• Diabetes
• Any form of cancer
• Hepatitis
• HIV/Aids
• Epilepsy or seizures
• Skin infections
• Heart conditions - especially if you have had a pacemaker inserted.

Yes. ACC has recognized NZRA members as Treatment Providers since 1990. Once you have had a claim accepted by ACC you can then choose to go to an acupuncturist for treatment. It is not necessary to have a referral from your GP or other Treatment Provider – the choice is yours.

It is not appropriate for any other Treatment Provider to suggest that you should not have acupuncture treatment for your injury. If this is suggested then please let NZRA or ACC know so that this can be followed up.

It is important to note that ACC will only cover the treatment of a specific injury. You should not expect your practitioner to treat conditions other than your injury under ACC.

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