Traditional Chinese Medicine & Sports Acupuncture in Weston Creek, Canberra

If you’re looking for acupuncture in Canberra and feel your body may be trying to tell you something, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a holistic and individualised approach to health.

At Weston Creek Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine, located in Rivett ACT, we focus on treating the whole person, not just isolated symptoms. Chinese medicine recognises that health is influenced by the interaction between the body, mind, lifestyle and environment, with balance at the centre of wellbeing.

What Is Traditional Chinese Medicine?

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a complete system of healthcare developed over thousands of years. Rather than only asking what is wrong, TCM also considers why symptoms may be occurring.

When the body is in balance, it has a natural ability to regulate and heal itself. When that balance is disrupted — through stress, illness, poor sleep, diet, injury or emotional strain — symptoms can develop. TCM works by identifying underlying patterns and gently supporting the body back toward harmony.

Understanding Qi

A central concept in TCM is Qi (pronounced chee), often described as vital energy. Qi supports movement, warmth, nourishment and normal bodily function.

When Qi flows smoothly, people often feel energised, resilient and well. When it becomes blocked, weakened or imbalanced, symptoms such as fatigue, pain, tension or poor recovery may arise. Chinese medicine treatments aim to encourage healthy flow and restore balance rather than force change.

What Happens in a TCM Appointment?

Appointments at Weston Creek Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine are unrushed and comprehensive. We take time to understand you as an individual, discussing:

• Current health concerns

• Energy levels, sleep and digestion

• Stress and emotional wellbeing

• Health history and lifestyle factors and;

• Tongue and Pulse Diagnosis

  
  

What is tongue & pulse diagnosis?

Traditional Chinese Medicine also uses tongue and pulse diagnosis as part of the assessment process.

The tongue can provide insight into overall balance in the body, including aspects such as circulation, hydration, digestive function and internal patterns. Its colour, shape and coating are observed to help build a broader picture of your health.

Pulse diagnosis involves gently feeling the pulse at the wrists. In Chinese medicine, the pulse is assessed for qualities such as strength, rhythm and depth. These observations help guide treatment by providing additional information about how the body is functioning internally.

Tongue and pulse assessment are painless, non-invasive, and used alongside your health history and symptoms to individualise treatment.

How Acupuncture Works

Acupuncture is a key component of Chinese medicine. From a traditional perspective, fine needles are used to influence the flow of Qi through specific pathways in the body, helping restore balance and support normal function.

From a modern viewpoint, research suggests acupuncture may interact with the nervous system, influence pain pathways, improve circulation, reduce muscle tension and support the body’s natural regulatory processes. Many patients report feeling calmer, more relaxed and more connected to their body after treatment.

Acupuncture Approaches

Acupuncture is not a one-size-fits-all treatment. The style and approach used depends on your presentation, goals and circumstances.

Some people benefit most from traditional meridian-based acupuncture, often used to support:

• Nervous system regulation

• Digestive health

• Sleep and fatigue

• Hormonal balance

• General wellbeing

  
  

Others may benefit more from a musculoskeletal or sports-style acupuncture approach, particularly when pain, injury or restricted movement is the primary concern.

Sports & Musculoskeletal Acupuncture in Canberra

Sports and musculoskeletal acupuncture is a different approach within Chinese medicine that focuses on muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, and connective tissue. It is commonly used when pain, injury, or restricted movement is the main concern.

Sports and musculoskeletal acupuncture is a focused branch of Chinese medicine that targets muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, and connective tissue.

This style of acupuncture combines traditional Chinese medicine principles with a modern understanding of anatomy, movement, and biomechanics. Treatment is tailored to how your body moves, loads, and recovers, rather than applying a generic set of points.

Sports Acupuncture in Canberra

How Sports Acupuncture Works

From a Chinese medicine perspective, pain and injury often involve stagnation or disruption of Qi and blood flow in a specific area. Sports acupuncture aims to improve circulation to affected tissues, helping the body restore normal movement and function.

From a modern viewpoint, needling may:

• Help reduce muscle tension and guarding

• Influence local circulation

• Interact with the nervous system and pain pathways

• Support tissue recovery and movement patterns

  
  

Treatment often targets:

• Tight or overworked muscles

• Releasing trigger points (shortened muscle fibres)

• Resetting malfunctioning motor points

• Releasing vertebral fixations

• Areas of restricted or poor range of movement

• Compensatory patterns related to previous injury

  
  

When Sports Acupuncture May Be Appropriate

Sports and musculoskeletal acupuncture is commonly used for:

• Sporting injuries and training-related strain

• Work-related or postural pain

• Back, neck, and shoulder pain

• Hip, knee, ankle, and foot issues

• Tendon and soft tissue irritation

• Old injuries that never fully resolved

  
  

This approach can be used for both acute injuries and long-standing or recurrent issues, and is adapted depending on the stage of injury and individual tolerance.

Integration with Chinese Medicine Principles

While sports acupuncture has a strong anatomical focus, it remains grounded in Chinese medicine principles. Treatment may still consider overall energy levels, recovery capacity, stress, sleep, and internal balance — recognising that these factors influence healing and resilience.

Sports acupuncture may be used on its own or combined with traditional meridian-based acupuncture, lifestyle guidance, or Chinese herbal medicine, depending on individual needs.

What Does the Research Say?

Research into acupuncture continues to grow. Well-recognised sources include:

• World Health Organization (WHO) – recognition of acupuncture for various pain conditionshttps://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-TRM-2003.1

• Cochrane Reviews – evidence supporting acupuncture for certain pain conditionshttps://www.cochranelibrary.com/topics/pain-and-anesthesia

• National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) – evidence-informed summaries on acupuncturehttps://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/acupuncture-what-you-need-to-know

• The Journal of Pain – research into acupuncture and pain modulationhttps://www.jpain.org

  
  

Chinese Herbal Medicine & Lifestyle Support

Where appropriate, treatment may also include individualised Chinese herbal medicine and practical lifestyle or dietary guidance. Recommendations are realistic, gentle, and designed to support long-term health rather than quick fixes.

What Can TCM Support?

Conditions Acupuncture Is Commonly Sought For;

At Weston Creek Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine, acupuncture and Chinese medicine are commonly sought by people looking for support with a wide range of health concerns. Treatment is always individualised and based on a full consultation.

People often attend acupuncture for support with:

Pain & Musculoskeletal Concerns

• Back, neck and shoulder discomfort

• Joint stiffness or reduced mobility

• Sports and exercise-related strain

• Tendon and soft tissue irritation

• Postural or work-related tension

• Persistent or recurring pain patterns

Stress, Nervous System & Wellbeing

• Stress and feeling overwhelmed

• Difficulty relaxing or switching off

• Tension associated with busy lifestyles

• General wellbeing and balance

Sleep & Fatigue

• Difficulty falling or staying asleep

• Feeling unrefreshed after sleep

• Low energy or burnout

• Support during periods of physical or emotional demand

Digestive & Gut Concerns

• Bloating or digestive discomfort

• Irregular bowel patterns

• Digestive changes related to stress

• Support during dietary transitions

Hormonal & Life Stage Support

• Menstrual cycle changes

• Perimenopause and menopause support

• Hormonal fluctuations

• Support during different life stages

General Health & Preventative Care

• Supporting overall balance and resilience

• Recovery during busy or physically demanding periods

• Maintaining wellbeing alongside other healthcare

  
  

Chinese medicine does not treat isolated symptoms alone. Instead, treatment aims to support the body as a whole, taking into account physical symptoms, stress levels, sleep, digestion and lifestyle factors.

Important Note

Individual responses to acupuncture and Chinese medicine vary. Treatment is not a substitute for medical care and may be used alongside other healthcare approaches where appropriate.

Check Us Out! Appointments available Monday-Fridays 11:30-6:30pm

BOOK ONLINE IT IS SUPER EASY! 🌐 https://www.westoncreekacupuncture.com.au

Weston Creek Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine

Located at; 1 Bangalay Crescent, Rivett ACT 2611 Ph./Text📞 0438 815 167

email; margvirgo@gmail.com

References & Further Reading

General Acupuncture Research

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39520569/

• https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/1357513

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41460176/

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33516258/

• https://systematicreviewsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/2046-4053-1-46

• https://www.holistiq.ch/insights/complementary-medicine/tcm-evidence-based/

Sports & Musculoskeletal Acupuncture

• https://iam.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.51507/j.jams.2023.16.6.239

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33172218/

• https://www.sciepub.com/AJSSM/abstract/2927

Disclaimer:This blog provides general information only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Information about acupuncture and Chinese medicine does not replace individual consultation with a qualified health practitioner. References are provided for informational purposes only and do not guarantee treatment outcomes. Individual results may vary.