What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is one of the key components of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that involves the insertion of thin, flexible, sterile needles into specific points on the body to stimulate its natural painkillers and activate its innate healing abilities. The release of feel-good chemicals in the body from acupuncture calms the nervous system, improves blood circulation and boosts the immune system.

Acupuncture in Perth

What are the Benefits of Acupuncture?

Using acupuncture can have positive effects not only on the physical, but also on the mental and emotional wellbeing of a person. Although it may be used as a standalone treatment, it is often prescribed as an adjunct therapy for patients who have recently undergone surgery, have received cancer treatment or are sick and recovering. Numerous conditions can benefit from acupuncture, including:

  • Low back pain and other musculoskeletal problems
  • Headache
  • Stress
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Common cold and flu
  • Digestive problems
  • Arthritis 
  • High blood pressure
  • Nausea
  • Menstrual cramps
  • Digestive problems
  • Shingles 
  • Sleep disorders
  • Stroke
  • Tinnitus
  • Neurological conditions
  • Respiratory problems

How Much Does Acupuncture in Perth Cost?

An acupuncture treatment in Perth ranges from $80 to $120, depending on the type and length of treatment. If your treatment plan includes other TCM services or products, such as herbal medicine or cupping, additional charges may apply.

How Many Acupuncturists are there in Perth?

As of 2018, the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia registered close to 4,800 acupuncturists, of which 6% were located in Perth or other areas of Western Australia. In major cities of the country, acupuncturists receive 80% or higher referral rates from medical doctors, allied health professionals and other practitioners of complementary medicine, according to a previous study (Zheng, 2014). Despite this, Western Australia has been found to have a shortage of qualified acupuncture practitioners, with a patient distribution of 12,461 per practitioner.

How Many People in Perth Use Acupuncture?

Even though acupuncture is well accepted in Australia, a survey conducted in 2007 by Australian universities (RMIT, La Trobe) revealed a low rate of use of the modality in Perth and Western Australia overall. Only 3% of the 96 respondents said they had used acupuncture or seen a practitioner. More recent studies, though, including a pilot study from a university in the region (UWA, 2012), have shown that a large number of patients, particularly those with depression, are increasingly seeking acupuncture treatments for reducing their symptoms.