There’s often more to the picture than one symptom
Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine for women’s health, fertility, pain and complex health concerns with Dr. April Wood in Tecoma and online.
With over 20 years of clinical experience, I take the time to understand the bigger picture and help you work out where to start.
What Brings You Here?
People come to see me for many different reasons. You might be dealing with one specific concern, or several things that seem connected. Choose the area that feels most relevant to you to learn more.
Acupuncture for Women’s Health
Support through the different stages of women’s health, including menstrual concerns, endometriosis, PCOS/PMOS, perimenopause and menopause.
Explore Women’s Health
Acupuncture for Fertility and IVF
Acupuncture and individual support when preparing for pregnancy, trying to conceive or moving through IVF.
Explore Fertility and IVF
Acupuncture for Complex & Chronic Health
When several symptoms are happening at once, it can help to step back and look at the bigger picture, including sleep, stress, digestion, movement and everyday health patterns.
Explore Complex Health
Acupuncture for Pain
Acupuncture appointments for persistent or acute pain, with time to consider how it developed and the wider factors that may be contributing.
Explore Pain Support
Feel better.
Understand your body. Get the right support.
20+
Years of Clinical Experience
LOOKING AT THE WHOLE PICTURE, NOT JUST ONE SYMPTOM
When your health starts affecting your energy, cycle, fertility, pain levels or ability to get through everyday life, it can be difficult to know where to start.
My approach is individual. We look at what is happening now, how your symptoms fit together, and the wider factors that may be relevent to your health.
That can include your menstrual health, fertility, pain, digestion, sleep, stress, movement, recovery and everyday habits.
Whether something has changed recently or you have been dealing with symptoms for years, treatment starts by looking at the bigger picture.
About Dr. April Wood
Doctor of Chinese Medicine | Registered Acupuncturist
Practicing since 2004
Nurturing Life began in Brisbane before moving to the Dandenong Ranges in 2014, first in Upwey, now in Tecoma.
My approach has developed over more than 20 years of clinical practice, but one thing has remained consistent: I want to understand the person in front of me, not just the symptom that brought them through the door.
Your initial appointment gives us time to look at what is happening now, your main concerns and the wider factors that may be relevant to your health. Depending on what is appropriate for you, this may include discussion around your menstrual health, digestion, sleep, stress, movement, nutrition and everyday habits.
Alongside acupuncture, I may incorporate other aspects of Chinese medicine and practical lifestyle guidance into your care. I’ll explain what I’m doing, why I’m recommending it and what I think is worth focusing on first.
More than just acupuncture
Understanding your health is an important part of looking after it.
My appointments include time to talk through what may be influencing your health, what patterns I’m seeing and what you can realistically work on between appointments.
Depending on what is relevant to you, we may look at food, sleep, stress, movement, digestion, menstrual health, recovery and other everyday factors.
I want you to understand what we’re focusing on and why, with practical things you can work on outside the treatment room.
For people who want more support between appointments, Nurturing Life Online provides additional education, resources and guidance that you can access from home.
Your first appointment
What should you expect?
If you haven’t had acupuncture before, it’s completely normal to have questions about what happens during an appointment. I’ve put together a guide explaining what to expect, how to prepare and what happens during your first visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at my first appointment?
Your first appointment gives us time to properly go through what has brought you in, your health history and any other factors that may be relevant.
Depending on your concerns, we may discuss things such as your menstrual health, digestion, sleep, stress, movement, nutrition and everyday habits. I’ll explain what I’m looking at and what I think is worth focusing on first.
If acupuncture is appropriate for you, we’ll also have time for treatment.
Read more about what to expect at your first appointment
Does acupuncture hurt?
Most people are surprised by how little they feel. I often describe needle insertion as similar to having a hair plucked. You may notice a brief sharp or prickling sensation as the needle passes through the skin, followed by other sensations once the needle is in place.
If you’re nervous about needles, let me know. I can talk you through everything before we begin and we can go at a pace you’re comfortable with.
What should I do before my appointment?
If you have any test or scan results that you think may be relevant, you’re welcome to bring them with you. They’re not required, but they can provide useful additional information.
I recommend having something to eat before your appointment. You don’t need a full stomach, but it’s best not to arrive hungry.
What should I wear to my appointment?
Loose, comfortable clothing is helpful, but don’t worry if you’re coming straight from work. Towels and appropriate draping are available if clothing needs to be moved or removed during treatment.
How many acupuncture appointments will I need?
This is different for everyone. How often I recommend seeing you will depend on what you’re coming in for, how long it has been happening, your general health and how things progress.
After your initial appointment, I’ll explain what I recommend and why. We can then review that plan as we go rather than committing you to a set number of appointments from the beginning.
Can I have acupuncture while undergoing IVF or fertility treatment?
Yes. Many people choose to include acupuncture alongside fertility investigations, IVF or other fertility treatment.
If you’re currently undergoing treatment, let me know where you are in your cycle, any medications you’re taking and any upcoming procedures or appointments. This helps me understand what is happening medically and take your fertility treatment into account when planning your acupuncture.
Acupuncture is not a replacement for the care provided by your fertility specialist or clinic.
Can I have acupuncture while seeing another healthcare practitioner?
Yes. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can be used alongside care from your GP, specialist, physiotherapist, psychologist or other healthcare practitioners.
It’s helpful for me to know about any diagnoses, medications, supplements, investigations or other treatments you’re currently having. Where appropriate, I may also recommend speaking with another healthcare professional or having something investigated further.
I see healthcare as collaborative rather than either/or.
What types of health concerns do you commonly see in the clinic?
People come to see me for many different reasons. My clinical work has a particular focus on women’s health, fertility and IVF, persistent and acute pain, and complex chronic health concerns.
Every person’s situation is different, so your initial appointment gives us time to discuss what is happening, whether acupuncture is appropriate for you and what other support or healthcare may be relevant.
You can explore the different areas I work with throughout this website.
Do I need a referral or diagnosis before booking?
No. You don’t need a referral to book an acupuncture appointment, and you don’t need to have everything figured out before you come in.
Your initial appointment gives us time to talk through what has been happening and any investigations or diagnoses you already have.
There may be situations where I recommend that you speak with your GP or another healthcare professional for further assessment or investigation.
Are you covered by Medicare or private health insurance?
Acupuncture appointments are not covered by Medicare.
Depending on your policy, you may be able to claim part of the cost of your acupuncture appointment through private health insurance extras. Telehealth appointments cannot be claimed through private health insurance.
As policies and levels of cover vary, it’s best to check directly with your health fund to confirm what your policy includes.
If you’re eligible to claim, bring your private health insurance membership card to your appointment and your claim can be processed through HICAPS on the spot, so you only need to pay the gap.
Do you offer online appointments?
Yes. I offer telehealth consultations for people who can’t attend the Tecoma clinic, as well as additional support through Nurturing Life Online.
Online consultations don’t include acupuncture, but there is still a lot we can work through together. We’ll look at your health history, current concerns and the everyday factors that may be relevant to what you’re experiencing.
Depending on your individual situation, this may include nutrition and eating habits, sleep, stress, movement, digestion, menstrual health, recovery, breathwork and other practical lifestyle strategies.
Following your consultation, you’ll receive an individualised plan with clear guidance on what to focus on first, rather than a long list of things to change all at once. Where relevant, I’ll also provide supporting handouts and resources so you have something practical to refer back to at home.
You can learn more about Nurturing Life Online here
Take the time to really look at your health
Not sure where to start? Your first appointment is designed to help make sense of the bigger picture.
We’ll talk through your main concerns, your health history and the different factors that may be relevant to what is happening now.
From there, I’ll explain what I think is worth focusing on first and what your care may involve, whether that includes acupuncture, Chinese medicine, practical lifestyle support or working alongside another healthcare professional where appropriate.
You don’t need to have it all figured out before you book. That’s what the first appointment is for.
Have a question? Get in touch