Our approach

We treat the whole picture.

Is your present care getting the results you’re looking for? What you feel now often has a deeper story and understanding that full context helps us support lasting change.

Sleep, stress, digestion, hormones, past injuries — they all shape how your body responds. Pain has causes, once you treat that your body wants to heal. The body is far more capable of healing than most of us have ever been told.

Our approach is grounded in balanced integration: the steadiness of clinical rigour woven with the wisdom of Eastern medicine. We work with your body’s intelligence, not against it — creating space for relief, repair, and long-term wellbeing.

The three pillars

Relieve.
Restore.
Revitalise.

Every person who walks through our door is somewhere along this arc. The work is understanding where you are — and what needs to happen next.

01

Relieve

What brings most people through our door. Pain that's been quietly accommodated — and is ready to be addressed. Acupuncture can re-establish function faster than most people expect.

02

Restore

Sleep, stamina, focus, energy. The things pain quietly steals. This is where we work on the underlying cause — and where most people start to recognise themselves again.

03

Revitalise

Move again. Garden again. Travel again. Live the life pain put on hold.

Levels of Care

How we structure your care.

Levels of Care is Mal's framework for building a plan that's right for where you are. Three levels. One direction of travel.

01

Symptomatic

Acute. Pain dominant. Sessions weekly until relief lands.

02

Corrective

Underlying patterns identified. Sessions weekly to fortnightly. Address the cause.

03

Preventative

Maintenance. Monthly or seasonal. Catch drift before it becomes pain again.

For deep restorative care clients can work through a structured 12-treatment protocol that maps all three levels. We talk about it together at your first consultation.

How TCM thinks

Three thousand years of pattern recognition.

Traditional Chinese Medicine is one of the oldest preventative-medicine traditions in the world. The principle is straightforward: most chronic patterns begin somewhere other than where you feel them.

Acupuncture — the careful placement of fine sterile needles at specific points along the body's meridian system — supports the body's own ability to recalibrate, recover, and restore balance. It works for acute conditions and for the patterns underneath them. That is what balanced integration means in practice: treating the cause and the symptom, at the same time.

Our role is to find where the pattern starts, support the body to unwind it, and give you a framework you can use long-term — not just address what's hurting today.

Book your first session →
Dr Mal
Frequently asked

Common questions.

Everything we get asked at the front desk, with honest answers.

Does acupuncture hurt?

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.

How many sessions will I need?

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.

Will my health fund cover it?

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.

Are you on NDIS / WorkCover / Motor Vehicle Insurance?

Not currently. If you have private health fund cover, see the question above.

What about concession rates?

Concession rates are available for Pension, Health Care Card, Defence, and Centrelink card holders. Bring your card to your first appointment.

What does the first appointment look like?

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.

What should I wear?

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.

Can I keep seeing my GP / specialist / physio?

Yes — and we encourage it. Acupuncture supports the body's own capacity to heal alongside conventional medical care. We never replace your treating doctor.

What's your cancellation policy?

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.

Is the clinic accessible?

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.

Do you treat children?

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.

What does the World Health Organisation say about acupuncture?

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.

Can I be treated during pregnancy?

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.

Where do I park?

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.

Book your first appointment →
Book →