Acupuncture Preston | Dry Needling Advanced Health
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Acupuncture Preston — Dry Needling & Acupuncture at Advanced Health

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Advanced Health Preston offers acupuncture and dry needling at 4/107 Plenty Road, Preston 3072 — delivered within a multidisciplinary allied health setting alongside chiropractic, remedial massage, and clinical Pilates. Both techniques use fine needles to treat pain and musculoskeletal conditions; they differ in their theoretical frameworks and target applications, and the right choice depends on your presenting complaint.

Dry needling vs acupuncture — what’s the difference?

Both modalities use the same sterile, fine-gauge needles inserted into specific points on the body. The distinction is framework and target:

  • Dry needling targets myofascial trigger points — specific knots of contracted muscle fibre that produce local pain and referred pain patterns. It uses a Western anatomical model and is indicated for musculoskeletal pain, muscle tightness, and trigger point referral patterns. Andrew Cunningham uses dry needling as part of his chiropractic and myotherapy treatment.
  • Acupuncture is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine principles — meridians, Qi flow, and specific acupoints. It’s used for a broader range of conditions including chronic pain, headaches and migraines, insomnia, digestive conditions, stress, and hormonal conditions. Western acupuncture integrates TCM point selection with modern neurophysiological understanding of how needles affect pain signalling.

At Advanced Health, we offer both: dry needling as a component of chiropractic and myotherapy sessions, and standalone acupuncture for the broader range of conditions it’s indicated for.

Conditions treated with acupuncture and dry needling in Preston

  • Chronic back and neck pain — particularly cases with trigger point involvement, muscle guarding, and neural sensitisation
  • Headaches and migraines — acupuncture has significant evidence for reducing headache frequency and intensity; dry needling addresses trigger points that contribute to cervicogenic headache
  • Sports and overuse injuries — tendinopathies, ITB syndrome, plantar fasciitis, rotator cuff conditions
  • Sciatica and nerve pain — acupuncture and dry needling both have roles in managing neural sensitisation and reducing referred pain
  • Jaw pain (TMJ) — masseter and temporalis dry needling for jaw pain, teeth grinding, and associated headaches
  • Stress and sleep — acupuncture’s systemic effects on the autonomic nervous system make it effective for stress-related conditions and sleep disruption
  • Hormonal and women’s health — acupuncture for menstrual pain, PCOS, menopausal symptoms, and fertility support
  • Postoperative recovery — acupuncture to support tissue healing, reduce inflammation, and manage post-surgical pain

What to expect at your first acupuncture appointment

Your initial appointment (60 minutes) begins with a detailed intake: your presenting complaint, medical history, lifestyle factors relevant to treatment, and any previous acupuncture experience. For acupuncture, this includes TCM assessment elements — tongue and pulse diagnosis if relevant to your complaint. Your practitioner selects appropriate points, explains the treatment plan, and applies needles. Needles are retained for 15–30 minutes during which most patients enter a deeply relaxed state. Post-treatment, you’ll receive advice on what to expect in the following 24–48 hours and a recommendation for follow-up frequency.

Pricing

Initial acupuncture appointment (60 min): $110. Follow-up (45 min): $90. Dry needling within a chiropractic or myotherapy session: included in the appointment cost. Health fund extras rebates apply for acupuncture from a registered practitioner — check your policy for acupuncture coverage. HICAPS on the spot.

FAQs about acupuncture in Preston

Where is Advanced Health in Preston?

4/107 Plenty Road, Preston 3072 — with free on-site parking. Open Monday–Friday 8am–7pm, Saturday 8am–1pm.

Does acupuncture hurt?

Most patients feel a brief sensation — a mild ache, warmth, or tingling — when the needle reaches the target point (“De Qi” in TCM terminology). This is considered a positive therapeutic response. The needles are very fine (much thinner than injection needles) and the sensation passes quickly. Most patients find acupuncture sessions deeply relaxing.

How many acupuncture sessions will I need?

For acute musculoskeletal conditions: 4–6 sessions often produces significant improvement. For chronic conditions or hormonal/systemic issues: 8–12 sessions over 8–12 weeks is typical, with maintenance sessions monthly or as needed. Your practitioner will discuss an expected timeline at your first appointment.

Is acupuncture covered by private health insurance?

Many private health funds include acupuncture under natural therapies extras cover. Check your policy for “acupuncture” specifically. Coverage varies significantly by fund and policy level.

Is acupuncture safe during pregnancy?

Acupuncture is used during pregnancy for morning sickness, pelvic pain, back pain, and preparation for labour — but certain points are contraindicated at specific stages of pregnancy. Please inform us if you’re pregnant when booking so appropriate precautions can be applied.

Book your acupuncture appointment

Call (03) 9484 9185 or book online. Advanced Health is at 4/107 Plenty Road, Preston 3072. Open Monday–Friday 8am–7pm, Saturday 8am–1pm.