Considering Acupuncture for Pain Management?
Pain can affect much more than the part of your body that hurts. It can interfere with sleep, make work difficult, limit the things you enjoy doing and leave you feeling frustrated when everyday activities become harder than they used to be.
Sometimes pain follows an injury and gradually settles. Other times it keeps returning, or becomes something you've been managing for months or even years.
People come to Coburg Chinese Medicine at different stages of that experience. Many have already spoken with their GP, attended physiotherapy, tried exercises or medication, and are considering what other options might be available. Others come to see me first because they're interested in exploring acupuncture.
Acupuncture is one of the options people consider for managing certain types of pain. It has been investigated in considerable clinical research, although the findings and strength of evidence differ between conditions.
At my clinic in Coburg, I take an individual approach, considering your circumstances, what you've already tried and whether acupuncture might have an appropriate place in your healthcare.
Interested in exploring acupuncture for pain? Book an appointment or contact the clinic to discuss your options.
Acupuncture as an Option for Pain Management
Acupuncture has a long history within Chinese medicine, including its traditional use for pain. More recently, clinical research has examined its role in managing different types of pain, particularly some forms of persistent pain.
Some people consider acupuncture because they're interested in exploring an additional approach alongside their existing healthcare. Others are looking at non-pharmacological options for managing their symptoms.
There are pain conditions for which clinical research and guidelines support considering acupuncture, while the evidence for others is less certain.
I think it's important to look at your particular circumstances and the relevant research rather than make sweeping claims about what acupuncture can achieve.
That's something we can discuss during your consultation, alongside your preferences, the options available and what you might reasonably expect.
Pain Concerns People Bring to the Clinic
Over the years, I've seen people with a wide range of pain-related concerns, from recent injuries to recurring or persistent pain.
Some of the concerns people come to discuss include:
Back pain: Including recurring lower back discomfort and difficulties with everyday activities.
Neck and shoulder pain: Pain or stiffness affecting movement, work or sleep.
Sciatica: Pain that may travel from the lower back into the buttock or leg.
Tennis elbow: Persistent discomfort around the outside of the elbow.
Plantar fasciitis and heel pain: Pain that can affect standing, walking and everyday activities.
Sports injuries: Pain and limitations associated with exercise or physical activity.
Migraine and headaches: Recurring headache conditions that can interfere with daily life.
Trigeminal neuralgia: A neurological pain condition requiring appropriate medical assessment and management.
These conditions differ in their causes, management options and the evidence relating to acupuncture. The linked pages provide further information about each condition and the options people may wish to discuss with their healthcare practitioners.
Acupuncture for Chronic and Persistent Pain
Chronic pain generally refers to pain that persists or recurs for more than three months.
Sometimes the cause is relatively clear. At other times, pain can continue after an injury has healed or without a single identifiable explanation.
Pain involves the nervous system and can be influenced by factors such as sleep, activity, stress and general health. That doesn't mean persistent pain is imaginary or simply psychological.
Managing chronic pain may involve several approaches, including medical care, physiotherapy, rehabilitation, exercise, medication and strategies to support everyday functioning. Living with ongoing pain or injury can affect sleep, mood and everyday activities. You can read more about the relationship between stress and physical health and why these factors may be relevant during a consultation.
Acupuncture has also been investigated as an option for some persistent pain presentations. Whether it is worth considering depends on the type of pain, the available evidence and your individual circumstances.
What Does the Research Say About Acupuncture and Pain?
Acupuncture has been examined in clinical trials and systematic reviews for a range of pain conditions. Some studies have reported improvements in pain-related outcomes, while others have found smaller differences, inconsistent results or insufficient evidence.
The findings can also depend on whether acupuncture is compared with usual care, no additional intervention or sham acupuncture.
What Do Clinical Guidelines Say?
The UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) includes acupuncture as an option to consider for adults with chronic primary pain, subject to specific conditions and limits on the course of care.
Its recommendations for other pain conditions can differ. For example, its separate guideline on lower back pain and sciatica recommends against acupuncture for those presentations.
This illustrates why the research needs to be considered in relation to a particular condition rather than assuming acupuncture has the same role in managing every type of pain.
Researchers have also investigated how acupuncture might influence nervous-system activity and pain signalling. These proposed mechanisms are useful areas of scientific investigation, but they don't independently establish clinical benefits for particular conditions.
Research continues to develop, and I think it's important to be clear about what we know and where uncertainty remains.
My Approach to Pain Management at Coburg Chinese Medicine
When you come in, I want to understand what's happening with your pain, how it's affecting your everyday life and what you're hoping to achieve.
We'll discuss your symptoms, relevant medical history, what you've already tried and any investigations or advice you've received.
Careful, Considered and Collaborative Care
As a registered Chinese medicine practitioner, I'm required to follow Ahpra's advertising guidelines, including being careful about how I describe the potential benefits of acupuncture and the outcomes people might expect.
You may notice that I take a fairly measured approach to discussing acupuncture on this website. I avoid sweeping claims and promises about results, particularly where the available research doesn't justify them.
That's not simply about meeting advertising requirements. It reflects how I practise.
I prefer to provide realistic information, explain the options available and work with people to make decisions that take account of their circumstances and preferences.
If you've come to see me because you're interested in acupuncture, I'm happy to explore that option with you. I'll explain what it involves, discuss the relevant evidence, risks and limitations, and answer your questions.
Your preferences and informed consent are central to decisions about your care, alongside my responsibility to provide appropriate professional advice.
I also see communication with other healthcare practitioners as an important part of my role. Whether you've come to me first or are already seeing your GP, physiotherapist or specialist, I'm happy to work alongside them and, with your consent, communicate where useful.
Sometimes that includes recommending further medical assessment or input from another practitioner. It's part of providing responsible, collaborative healthcare while considering how acupuncture may fit alongside other appropriate approaches.
Affordable Appointments and Ongoing Care
Not everyone needs multiple acupuncture appointments. If further care is appropriate, we'll discuss the reasons, the costs involved and whether continuing makes sense as we go.
One reason I established my own independent clinic was to have greater control over consultation fees. Keeping overheads relatively low allows me to offer appointments at prices intended to make care more financially accessible.
For me, affordability isn't just about the cost of one consultation. It's also about ensuring the cumulative cost of appointments doesn't become an unnecessary barrier when further care is appropriate.
You can find details about consultation fees and appointment availability on my Fees & Opening Hours page. Current fees are also displayed during online booking.
What Happens at an Acupuncture Appointment?
Your first appointment begins with a discussion of your health, symptoms, relevant medical history and any other healthcare you're receiving.
If acupuncture is appropriate and you decide to proceed, I'll explain what I propose and answer any questions.
Acupuncture involves inserting fine, sterile, single-use needles at selected points on the body.
We'll discuss relevant risks and precautions as part of the consent process.
You're welcome to ask questions, discuss adjustments or decide not to proceed at any stage.
Considering Acupuncture for Pain in Melbourne?
If you're experiencing pain and wondering whether acupuncture might be worth exploring, you're welcome to make an appointment at Coburg Chinese Medicine.
Whether you're just beginning to look at your options or have been managing pain for some time, we can discuss your circumstances, what you've already tried and how acupuncture might fit into your healthcare.
Coburg Chinese Medicine
197 Sydney Road, Coburg VIC 3058
Welcoming patients from Brunswick, Pascoe Vale, Preston, Thornbury and surrounding northern Melbourne suburbs.
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Research and Further Reading
Ahpra — Chinese Medicine Advertising Examples
Guidance on how Chinese medicine practitioners can discuss potential benefits, evidence and the importance of avoiding misleading claims.
NICE — Chronic Primary Pain (NG193)
Recommendations for person-centred pain management, including the limited circumstances in which acupuncture may be considered.
NICE — Low Back Pain and Sciatica (NG59)
A separate guideline demonstrating how recommendations relating to acupuncture can vary between pain conditions.