Frequently Asked Questions

The primary difference is integration and structure. We offer acupuncture, therapeutic bodywork, and facial rejuvenation under a single brand, with practitioners who share notes and co-ordinate treatment plans. We also emphasise the recovery arc over single sessions — building structured programs that produce cumulative results rather than temporary relief. The physical environment is also deliberately different: warm, considered, and free from the aesthetics of both budget massage and generic wellness.

No. You can book directly without a referral. For ACC-subsidised acupuncture sessions, you will need an accepted ACC claim — but you can still come in for an initial consultation without one and we can advise from there.

For acupuncture and facial services: comfortable clothing that allows access to your arms and lower legs if needed. For Therapeutic Thai Bodywork: comfortable, loose-fitting athletic wear. You will not need to undress for bodywork — treatment is performed fully clothed with no oil.

We ask for at least 24 hours' notice for cancellations or rescheduling. Cancellations with less than 24 hours' notice, or no-shows, may incur a charge of 50% of the session fee. This is communicated clearly at booking and in your confirmation email. We understand that emergencies happen — please contact us as early as possible if your situation changes.

The needles used in acupuncture are extremely fine — much thinner than a standard hypodermic needle. Most clients describe a brief dull ache or mild pressure as a needle is inserted, which quickly subsides. Discomfort during the treatment itself is uncommon. Many clients fall asleep on the table.

This depends on the nature and duration of your presenting complaint. Acute conditions may respond in three to four sessions. Chronic conditions typically require six to eight sessions for meaningful, lasting change. Your practitioner will give you a realistic estimate at your initial consultation — and will update that estimate as treatment progresses.

Yes. ACUPOINTS is an ACC-registered provider. Clients with an accepted ACC claim are eligible for subsidised acupuncture sessions. Please bring your claim number to your first visit — your practitioner will handle the paperwork from there.

The honest answer: sometimes yes, sometimes no. Acupuncture has a strong evidence base for musculoskeletal pain, headache, stress, and some hormonal and digestive conditions. For conditions outside this scope, we will tell you clearly. We would rather refer you to the right practitioner than proceed with treatment that is unlikely to help.

Therapeutic Thai Bodywork is clinical bodywork drawing on traditional Thai techniques — compression, assisted stretching, and point work — applied with a clinical focus on outcomes rather than relaxation. Your practitioner assesses your movement patterns and structures the session around your specific presentation, not a standard sequence.

It uses similar techniques, but the intent and application are different. A traditional Thai massage is performed to a standard sequence without a clinical assessment. Our practitioners assess your movement patterns first, then design the session around what your body needs — not a predetermined routine.

No. Therapeutic Thai Bodywork is performed fully clothed. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing — athletic wear works well. There is no oil used in this service.

Physiotherapy typically focuses on a specific injury site with exercises and manual therapy. Therapeutic bodywork addresses whole-body movement patterns and the accumulated tension that contributes to the presenting problem — often including areas that seem unrelated to the complaint. The two approaches are complementary, not competing.

Cosmetic acupuncture applies acupuncture principles to facial rejuvenation. Very fine needles are inserted into specific facial and body points to stimulate collagen production, improve circulation, reduce fine lines, and improve facial muscle tone. Body points are also used to address underlying systemic factors — stress, hormonal shifts, poor circulation — that contribute to visible ageing.

Botox and fillers produce faster, more dramatic, and more predictable results in the short term. Cosmetic acupuncture works more gradually — over six to eight sessions — and the results are more subtle and natural. The key difference: cosmetic acupuncture improves the underlying health of the skin and muscle, rather than temporarily masking changes. For clients who want to look more like themselves rather than "treated," it is often a better fit.

Most clients notice subtle changes from sessions two or three — improved skin tone, reduced puffiness, a more rested appearance. More significant structural changes — improved muscle tone, reduction in fine lines — become visible from sessions four to six. The full effect of a course builds cumulatively. This is why we recommend a structured course rather than a single session.

Lymphatic facial sculpting is a precise manual technique that follows the lymphatic pathways of the face and neck to encourage fluid movement, reduce puffiness, and improve facial contour. It is not a beauty facial — no products, masks, or extractions are involved. Results are often immediately visible (reduced puffiness, clearer jawline) with cumulative benefits across a course of sessions.

The programs are structured multi-week treatment pathways that combine modalities for cumulative results. The Foundation Reset (6 weeks, $649) combines acupuncture and bodywork for pain and tension. The Refine Series (8 weeks, $989) combines cosmetic acupuncture and lymphatic facial sculpting. The Full Rebalance (10 weeks, $1,289) integrates all four modalities. View all programs.

Yes. Programs can be paid in two parts: 50% at booking, and 50% at Week 4 (or Week 5 for the Full Rebalance). There is no additional charge for this arrangement. Individual sessions are paid at the clinic after each appointment.

ACC-registered provider — subsidised sessions available for accepted ACC claims. We are pursuing Southern Cross and nib affiliated provider status. Individual sessions may be claimable through your health insurance depending on your policy — check with your provider directly.

No. Programs offer clear value through structure and integration — a 13–14% saving over individual session pricing. We do not offer discounts on individual sessions, flash sales, or promotional pricing. The pricing is set to reflect the quality of care delivered. Discounting the price discounts the work.