What brings people in
Most people who come to us with pain have already tried the obvious things. These are the problems we see most often.
- Back and neck: lower back pain, sciatica, stiff or sore neck, desk and posture-related shoulder tension
- Joints and injuries: tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, ankle and knee strains, arthritis, sporting injuries
- Inflammation: swollen, stiff or aching joints, tendon and bursa flare-ups, pain linked to inflammatory conditions
- Head: tension headaches, migraines, jaw tension
- Nerve pain: shooting, burning or tingling pain, numbness
- Period and pelvic pain: painful periods, cramping, endometriosis-related pain (see Women’s Health)
- Digestive pain: bloating, cramping, a gut that never settles
Don’t see yours? Call us on (03) 9530 6566 and we’ll tell you honestly whether we’re the right people to see.
Why it keeps coming back
Pain is the part you notice. It isn’t always where the problem starts.
A sore neck can trace back to how you sit, how you sleep, or how much stress you’re carrying. A back that flares every few months often has a pattern behind it. Treat only the sore spot and you get a few good days, then the same problem again.
Inflammation is often part of the picture too. Joints that swell and stiffen, or pain that flares with stress, poor sleep or certain foods, tell us something about what’s going on beyond the sore spot.
So we ask a lot of questions. When it started, what sets it off, what eases it, how you sleep, how your digestion and energy are. In Chinese medicine these details matter, because two people with the same sore shoulder can need quite different treatment.
Then we treat both: the pain itself, so you get some relief, and what’s behind it, so it has less reason to return.
What to expect
1. Discover
Your first visit is longer. We go through your history, examine the area, and work out what we think is driving the pain. You’ll have treatment in that first session, and you’ll leave with a plan.
2. Resolve
A short, clear course of treatment, typically weekly at first. We check your progress every visit. If it’s working, you’ll feel it and we’ll space sessions out. If it isn’t, we’ll tell you straight and suggest what to try instead, including who else to see.
3. Whole again
Once things have settled, you choose. Some people come back every month or two to stay on top of it. Others just call when something flares. Either way, you stop planning your life around the pain.
What treatment involves
Your practitioner will choose from the following, depending on what you need. Most pain treatments combine two or three.
- Acupuncture. Fine, single-use needles placed at specific points. Most people find it far gentler than they expected, and many fall asleep on the table.
- Cupping and additional treatments. Often used for tight, overworked muscles in the back, neck and shoulders.
- Moxibustion. Gentle warmth applied over points or sore areas.
- Chinese herbal medicine. Prescribed for you individually when the pain is part of a wider pattern, such as period or digestive pain.
- Movement and lifestyle advice. Simple changes to how you sit, move, rest and eat, so the work we do in the clinic lasts between visits.
Alongside your GP, physio or specialist
You don’t have to choose between us and the care you already have. Many of our patients see us alongside their GP, physio, osteopath or specialist, and we’re happy to work with them.
Bring any scans, reports or a list of your medications to your first visit. If something about your pain suggests you need a medical review first, we’ll tell you and point you to the right person.
Who you’ll see
Every practitioner at the clinic is AHPRA registered in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.
Nick Conquest
Holds a Master of Traditional Chinese Medicine and completed a hospital internship in Wuhan, China. Particular interest in musculoskeletal injury, chronic back and neck pain, joint pain and period pain.
Michelle McNeill
Trained in Melbourne with a hospital internship in Taipei. Builds movement, meals and daily habits into her treatment plans. Particular interest in musculoskeletal injuries, chronic pain and neurological conditions.
Kerrie Dick
Compassionate and practical, with time for people whose symptoms haven’t been taken seriously elsewhere. Particular interest in chronic pain, muscular injuries and digestive health.
Adriana Dalic
A grounded, whole-body approach that looks for the root of the problem. Particular interest in pain and injury recovery, and in stress and the nervous system.
Questions people ask
Does acupuncture hurt?
The needles are very fine, far thinner than the ones used for injections. You may feel a brief pinch, then a dull, heavy or warm sensation. Most people find it relaxing. Tell us if you’re nervous and we’ll go gently.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on what’s going on and how long you’ve had it. A recent strain usually needs fewer visits than pain you’ve had for years. We’ll give you our honest estimate at your first visit and review it as we go.
How soon will I notice a difference?
Everyone responds differently. We check your progress at every visit, and if you’re not improving within the first handful of sessions we’ll say so and talk through other options.
Can I claim on private health insurance?
Rebates may be available through private health funds with extras cover, depending on your policy. Check with your fund, and see our consultation fees.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can book directly online or by phone.
What should I wear and bring?
Loose, comfortable clothing that lets us reach the area. Bring any scans, reports or a list of medications if you have them.
Not ready to book yet?
Download our free guide, Easy steps to help manage and recover from pain. It’s a short list of things you can start at home today to make your days more comfortable.