Annabel Hammer Acupuncture

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a system of healing that has been practised for over 2,500 years, having originated in China and other far Eastern cultures. Acupuncture is a gentle treatment that is beneficial for a range of conditions, focusing on helping the whole person and aiming to improve your overall health and well-being. Rather than just focusing on specific signs and symptoms, as practitioners, we aim to explore the underlying cause of disease.

Acupuncture is carried out by inserting a few fine needles into points carefully chosen on your body. The points are linked to “channels” or “meridians” along which energy is known as “Qi” flows. When energy becomes disturbed or blocked, this can lead to emotional distress or physical illness. 

Acupuncture stimulates the body’s natural healing powers by encouraging the patient’s own energy to return to health and balance. Whether you want to have acupuncture as a standalone therapy or alongside other conventional treatment you are receiving, Chinese Medicine theory provides a firm foundation upon which to base a personalised treatment plan to support your recovery and well-being.

Your First Session

Your initial session will take approximately 1- 1.5 hours and will involve an in-depth consultation where I will take a full case history using different diagnostic methods to get a complete picture of your health and lifestyle. This includes detailed information about you: your symptoms, a full medical history, questioning your systems (e.g. sleep, appetite, digestion) as well as pulse and tongue diagnosis. Subsequent treatments will take 45 minutes - 1 hour. It is recommended to wear loose clothing and eat a light meal before treatment.

Frequency of Treatment

An initial course of 6 sessions is often recommended, but frequency will vary depending on the nature of your condition, whether it is chronic or acute, the duration of the problem and lifestyle factors. Initially it is best to come weekly, then as your condition improves, treatment can be spaced out. Some patients decide to have preventative treatment on a less regular basis to maintain good health.

Other Treatments

In addition to acupuncture treatment, Annabel may incorporate other forms of Chinese Medicine such as Tui Na (Chinese energetic massage), Cupping, Moxibustion, Guasha, Chinese Nutrition and lifestyle advice into her treatments.

My Background

I first discovered acupuncture after being involved in a cycling accident in London in 2006. I was amazed by the healing effects of acupuncture on both a physical and mental level. It was my first introduction to Five Element acupuncture and inspired me to learn more about this ancient practice of medicine. I went on to study at The College of Integrated Chinese Medicine in Reading (UK) in 2009 where I learnt to integrate Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) into my practice.

Over the past 10 years I have seen a wide range of conditions and I like to tailor each treatment to the individual’s needs. A large focus of my practice has been supporting women and men in their journey to parenthood, with both natural and assisted conception in adjunct to IVF, IUI & OI. I see women throughout all trimesters of pregnancy and in the post-partum period. I feel it is important to address your symptoms, but I also like to explore what might be the root cause of the problem. I also like to work in a complementary way and strongly believe in fluid communication with the relevant caregivers.  

Some of the many areas I can assist with:

• Menstrual disorders, female and male infertility, menopause, IVF 
• Pregnancy support through all trimesters and labour preparation, recurrent miscarriage, postnatal care
• Mental-emotional care: stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia
• Pain: musculoskeletal, headaches, digestive complaints

I have a Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and I have completed training as a Hypnobirthing Instructor with The Little Birth Company. I am registered with AHPRA and a member of the Australian Acupuncture Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA) which guarantees excellence in training, safe practice and professional conduct.