Will I need herbs, acupuncture, or both?

During your first consultation Maddie will give you her treatment recommendations, often involving both acupuncture and herbs, sometimes one or the other. This may evolve over time and will take into account your preferences, how often you can make it to appointments, and how acute or chronic your health challenges are.

How many treatments will I need?

We generally expect to see an improvement in 2-3 treatments, of course it all depends upon how complex your health challenges are, how long they’ve been around, whether you’re open to herbs as well as acupuncture and so on. In Chinese Medicine we say ‘a month of treatment for every year of illness’ as a guide, chronic conditions will take longer to shift than acute ones. Your results will be directly influenced by the level of participation you’re able to give to your health, simple diet and lifestyle changes will help achieve better results, and allow you to maintain optimal health.

Does acupuncture hurt?

No, acupuncture should be pain free however it is common to feel a variety of sensations when receiving acupuncture and these might feel new to you. Acupuncture needles are very very tiny, consent and comfort are top priority for Maddie and if anything is feeling uncomfortable, she will gladly remove or adjust your pins. After insertion you will have some time to relax, it’s very common for people to have a little ‘acunap’ during this time.

What are the herbs like?

It’s true, the herbs do taste horrible. Whether raw, powdered or in a tincture these mighty medicines are not made to taste good - they are meant to support your health. You will tolerate them more over time, but we recommend drinking them warm (they actually taste better this way!), diluting them with a little more water if preferred, drinking them through a straw, pinching your nose and having a chaser of honey ready to go! If you have dietary requirements (allergies, vegan etc.) please let Maddie know so that certain herbs are avoided.

Raw herbs require cooking at home (usually once per week), they are the most effective, least processed, most in line with the traditional way in which Chinese herbal medicine has developed and generally cheaper than granulated (powdered) herbs. Plus, we think they’re pretty beautiful and you can feel like a real alchemist in your own kitchen!

Granulated herbs are great for when you’re traveling and can’t cook up your raw herbs or when you want to bave something on hand in the first aid cupboard for common colds or recurrent acute conditions. There is no cooking required however this form is generally more expensive than raw herbs.

Pills and tinctures are great adjuncts to your herbal remedies, items for your first aid cupboard, or for use during certain times of your menstrual cycle etc.

Regardless of which herbs are best suited to you - remember they are only effective if you take them!

Where do my herbs come from?

Your herbs will be sourced and delivered by the Herb Grove Dispensary, Melbourne’s leading Chinese Medicine dispensary. Their team will hand pick and pack your prescription with the utmost care and accuracy, and send to you via post.

How can Chinese Medicine support fertility?

Maddie is passionate about supporting couples holistically on their fertility journeys. She has completed additional training with Kirsten Wolfe (Fertile Life and Fertile Life Mastery), who has treated thousands of Australian women with both the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the solid foundation of western medical science. This has extended her knowledge of fertility, equipping her to identify and support fertility challenges in males and females across various areas including sperm and ovulation concerns, PCO/PCOS, endometriosis, adenomyosis, recurrent miscarriage, DQ Alpha matches, NK cell, blood clotting factors, vaginal and uterine microbiome and more. Treatment plans incorporate the use of acupuncture, Chinese Herbs and supplements over a minimum of 4-6 months.

How should I prepare for my appointment?

Make sure you have had something to eat and drink before your appointment. It’s best to wear loose fitting comfortable clothing that can be easily moved/removed to accommodate acupuncture/gua sha/cupping as required. Please, don’t worry if you have body hair or mismatched socks on, we won’t! Please ensure all relevant tests have been sent in advance of any initial appointment.

How will I feel after acupuncture?

It’s common to feel relaxed and more grounded after an acupuncture treatment if you’ve got some tension or stress in your life, for some people this may present as feeling a little tired however you shouldn’t feel so tired that you can’t carry on with the rest of your day. For others looking for a boost you may feel lighter and have a greater sense of energy. There’s no need to adjust your activities after a treatment as long as you feel you have the energy for those tasks and stay well hydrated.

What happens if I need to cancel?

We understand that life happens, however if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment please advise us 24 hours prior to your appointment time. Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice will incur a $60 fee, no shows will incur full fees. If you’re unwell and not sure if you should attend, please contact us to discuss your symptoms.