Thirty-five years of clinical practice. Two thousand patients. One conviction: the body wants to heal — and it heals best when you treat the cause and the symptom together.
He didn't choose acupuncture. It chose him.
For thirty-five years, Dr Malcolm McKay has walked alongside patients — guiding them from pain and exhaustion back to living fully. His approach is grounded in balanced integration: the careful combining of Eastern tradition and clinical evidence, applied with the kind of deep listening that a 75-minute first appointment makes possible.
He spent a decade lecturing TCM at Endeavour College alongside private practice. The clinic he and Therasia built reflects what those decades taught them: that the best care happens when a practitioner takes the time to look at the whole picture and builds a real plan — together.
Most of the people we see are local — Pottsville, Hastings Point, Kingscliff, Casuarina, Cabarita, Murwillumbah — and a quiet number drive in from the Gold Coast.
AHPRA-registered (Chinese Medicine Board of Australia) · Doctor of Acupuncture · Three Best Rated Acupuncturists, Tweed Shire NSW · WHO recognises acupuncture for a wide range of symptom areas.
Three treatment rooms, an adjacent wellness space, and the Hastings Wellness Hub at the same address. Most appointments are with Mal directly — and any new practitioners who join are trained in his method and philosophy.
Book your first session →Everything we get asked at the front desk, with honest answers.
Most patients describe the sensation as a dull awareness rather than pain. The needles are very fine — about as thick as a human hair. Most people relax deeply during a session, and many fall asleep.
It depends on what you come in for and how long the pattern has been there. We talk about it together at your initial 75-minute consultation. Most patients work through some form of the 12-treatment protocol — but we never lock you into open-ended commitments.
Most major private health funds cover acupuncture under their extras cover. We're a registered provider with Medibank, HCF, HBF, Australian Unity, CBHS Health, AHM, GMHBA, Frank Health Insurance, Defence Health, Teachers Health, Westfund, Australian Regional Health Group and Australian Health Service Alliance. Bring your card to your appointment — we'll provide a receipt for your rebate claim. Check your level of cover with your fund directly.
Not currently. If you have private health fund cover, see the question above.
Concession rates are available for Pension, Health Care Card, Defence, and Centrelink card holders. Bring your card to your first appointment.
75 minutes — long enough to actually understand what's going on. 15 min check-in, 30 min TCM diagnostic, 30 min first acupuncture session. We'll talk about whether a 12-treatment protocol fits and what your treatment plan looks like.
Comfortable, loose clothing — easy to roll up sleeves and trouser legs. We'll guide you through what's needed depending on what you're coming in for.
Yes — and we encourage it. Acupuncture supports the body's own capacity to heal alongside conventional medical care. We never replace your treating doctor.
We ask for at least 24 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. Late cancellations and no-shows may incur a fee, as the appointment time can rarely be filled at short notice.
The clinic at 87–89 Tweed Coast Road is at street level. If you have specific access needs, please call us before your first appointment so we can make sure things are set up for you.
Yes — Family Care is one of the programs we run. Children are treated very gently; many older children describe acupuncture as relaxing rather than uncomfortable. We tailor the approach to what each child can handle.
The WHO recognises acupuncture as supportive of a wide range of symptom areas — including musculoskeletal pain, headaches, women's health, digestive issues, and stress-related symptoms. Acupuncture is one of the most-researched complementary health practices.
Yes — Pregnancy Programme is one of our specialist programs. Acupuncture support during pregnancy is safe, gentle, and tailored. Always tell us if you are or might be pregnant.
Off-street parking is available at the clinic, and there is street parking on Tweed Coast Road. The clinic is a short walk from the Hastings Point bus stop.