Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you want to know before your first appointment, and a few things you might not have thought to ask.
If your question isn’t answered here, reach out to me directly via our contact form.
About Embrace Complementary Medicine and Dr Nikki Hills ~ About Traditional Chinese Medicine
Your First Visit ~ Needles and Comfort ~ Teenagers ~ Pregnancy and Special Circumstances
About Embrace Complementary Medicine and Dr Nikki Hills
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Nikki Hills is a dual-qualified Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner and Remedial massage therapist based in Bayside Melbourne at Embrace Complementary Medicine.
She holds a Bachelor of Health Science in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine (Southern School of Natural Therapies) and a Diploma of Remedial Massage Therapy (Sage Massage). She is registered with AHPRA across three categories: Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine Practitioner, and Chinese Herbal Dispensing. Nikki is a Professional Member of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS). She also holds a Paediatric Certification in Child and Teen Health and a current Working with Children Check.
Read here for more information about Nikki.
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Embrace Complementary Medicine operates from a private home clinic in Bayside Melbourne, servicing Sandringham, Hampton, Black Rock, Highett, Beaumaris, Brighton, and surrounding suburbs. The exact address is provided in your booking confirmation after you book online.
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Yes, street parking is available nearby, and the clinic is easily accessible.
Full details are included in your booking confirmation.
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Dr Nikki Hills holds dual qualifications that are rarely found in a single practitioner. She is an AHPRA-registered Acupuncturist and Chinese Herbal Medicine practitioner, and a qualified Remedial massage therapist. This means she can offer genuinely integrated treatments combining Traditional Chinese Medicine modalities with Remedial massage in a single appointment.
She also holds a Paediatric Certification, making her well-placed to support teens and young women alongside adult patients.
About Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
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Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a holistic system of healthcare developed over thousands of years.
It works on the principle that the body's health depends on the balanced and unobstructed flow of energy (also known as Qi) through pathways called channels or meridians. When that flow is disrupted, the body may struggle to maintain balance.
TCM employs a range of modalities, including Acupuncture, herbal medicine, Cupping, Gua Sha, and Moxibustion (heat therapy) to support the body's natural capacity to regulate and restore itself.
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Acupuncture involves the gentle insertion of very fine, single-use, sterile needles at specific points on the body. These points sit along meridian pathways and are selected based on your individual presentation. The aim is to encourage the flow of Qi, support circulation, and prompt the body's regulatory systems to respond and self-correct.
Acupuncture has been practised for over 2,000 years and remains one of the most widely used complementary medicine modalities in the world.
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Cupping uses glass cups and gentle heat to create a vacuum seal on the skin across the back, shoulders, and neck. In some cases, silicon cups may also be used.
Rather than pressing into the tissue like a massage, Cupping lifts it upward, encouraging blood flow to the area.
Temporary marks on the skin are a normal part of the process. The marks are generally painless and typically fade within a few days to a week.
At Embrace Complementary Medicine, Cupping is available as a standalone 30-minute session or as part of a longer Acupuncture appointment.
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Gua Sha involves the use of a smooth ceramic spoon or stone tool to apply firm, repeated strokes along the skin's surface, following meridian pathways. In Chinese Medicine philosophy, Gua Sha is believed to encourage circulation and can help release muscular tension and stagnation. Temporary marks on the skin are a normal and expected part of the process. The marks typically fade within a few days to a week.
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Chinese Herbal Medicine uses nature-based formulas, largely comprising of roots, bark, seeds, flowers, minerals, shells or leaves, compounded specifically for your individual presentation.
At Embrace Complementary Medicine, herbs are dispensed as granules or powders. These are dissolved in warm water and consumed at home. Formulas are tailored to you, reassessed over time, and adjusted as your health changes.
Chinese Herbal Medicine is available as a standalone 30-minute consultation or in combination with Acupuncture. Herbs may be recommended as part of your treatment plan. While Acupuncture does initiates change within the session, herbs carry that support into your everyday life in between visits, nourishing, regulating and reinforcing the shifts your body is working to make.
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Moxibustion (often called Moxa) is a heat-based therapy used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It involves burning dried mugwort near specific acupuncture points to warm the area and encourage the flow of Qi. It is often used alongside acupuncture and can be incorporated into longer treatment sessions where appropriate.
Your first visit
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Your first appointment begins with a detailed conversation about your health concerns, symptoms, medical history, current medications, past treatments, goals for treatment and likely timeframes.
I will likely look at your tongue and feel your wrist pulses. These are the two primary diagnostic tools in Chinese medicine that offer a broader picture of what's happening within the organ systems of your body. From there, I will explain my assessment using Chinese medicine principles, walk you through a tailored treatment plan, and begin your first treatment within the same appointment.
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Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing is ideal.
Depending on your treatment, I may need access to your back, neck, legs, or arms, therefore clothing that's easy to roll up or adjust makes things easier.
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Have a light meal or snack before your appointment. Avoid coming to your appointment on an empty stomach, as this can make some people feel light-headed during or after treatment. Stay well hydrated and avoid alcohol on the day of your appointment.
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Most patients report feeling deeply relaxed during and after a treatment, sometimes describing a floaty or heavy feeling as their nervous system settles. Many notice a shift in how they feel on the same day, while for others the effects build gradually over the following days.
Occasionally, patients feel emotionally sensitive or tearful, either on the table or in the days that follow. While this can feel unexpected, it is often a sign of emotional release and a positive part of the healing process. It generally passes quickly.
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This varies depending on what you're presenting with, how long you've been experiencing it, and how your body responds to treatment. I will give you a realistic sense of what to expect after your first appointment.
Some people benefit from a short course of sessions, others prefer regular treatment for maintenance and general wellbeing.
There is no fixed protocol and treatment is tailored to you.
Needles and comfort
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Acupuncture is not generally painful. You may feel a mild ache, warmth, tingling, or a brief sensation at the point of insertion. This is normal and typically fades quickly.
Many people find acupuncture deeply relaxing and fall asleep during treatment. If you have any concerns or are uncomfortable, just let me know.
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People describe acupuncture sensations in different ways. Some people describe a dull ache, a feeling of warmth, a gentle heaviness, or a mild tingling at the needle site. Once the needles are in place, most people settle quickly into a deeply relaxed state. It is not uncommon for my patients to enjoy an acu-nap on the treatment table.
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Many of my most regular patients arrived for their first appointment nervous about needles, and they are now among our most loyal.
Acupuncture needles are extremely fine and feel nothing like an injection needle. I work with your pace, explain each step, and check in with you throughout. If at any point you want to stop, just let me know.
For those who prefer to avoid needles entirely, there are needle-free alternatives available such as Cupping, Gua Sha, adhesive seeds, acupressure and Chinese Herbal Medicine.
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Yes. Cupping, Gua Sha, Moxibustion, Remedial massage, and Chinese Herbal Medicine consultations are all available without any needles. If you'd like to experience the benefits of Traditional Chinese Medicine without acupuncture, there are several ways to do so. The best way is to start with an initial consultation where we can discuss all the options open to you.
Teenagers and younger patients
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Yes. I hold a Paediatric Certification in Child and Teen Health and welcome teenage patients aged 12 and above.
Traditional Chinese Medicine can be a gentle and supportive option for young people navigating hormonal changes, menstrual cycle irregularities, stress, fatigue, neurodiversity and other concerns common in adolescence and early adulthood.
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Yes. A parent or guardian is required to be present for all appointments with patients under 18.
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I see patients from the age of 12 and above.
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Yes. My approach with teenage patients is thoughtful and age-appropriate. Treatments are gentle, well-explained, and paced entirely to the young person's comfort level. My paediatric training informs how I communicate with and support younger patients, ensuring they feel safe, heard, and in control throughout.
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The short answer is Yes!
Many women seek acupuncture during pregnancy, as a form of supportive care, drawing on its long history of traditional use in women's health.
It is commonly sought during pregnancy for a range of concerns including morning sickness, nausea, heartburn, fatigue, pelvic girdle discomfort, and emotional wellbeing, as well as preparation for labour in the final weeks.
At Embrace Complementary Medicine, I tailor every treatment to your stage of pregnancy. Certain points are avoided during pregnancy as a precaution, and I can work collaboratively with your existing maternity care team, especially in the case of high-risk pregnancy or any complications.
If you would like to find out whether Acupuncture might be a good fit for where you are in your pregnancy journey, feel free to book an Exploratory Chat with me.
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Cupping and Gua Sha can be considered during pregnancy, depending on your individual symptoms, specific health concerns and stage of pregnancy.
I will always discuss the most appropriate treatment options with you before proceeding, take a conservative approach to both therapies, and strictly avoid all contraindicated areas.
Your informed consent is obtained before any treatment is applied.
Should anything feel uncomfortable at any point, simply let me know and we will adjust.
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Chinese Herbal Medicine is often prescribed alongside acupuncture, extending the work of your treatment into your everyday life.
While acupuncture initiates change within the session, herbs continue to support that process in between visits, nourishing, regulating, and reinforcing the shifts your body is working to make.
As with all Chinese medicine at Embrace Complementary Medicine, herbal formulas are prescribed based on traditional use and your individual presentation, and always with your broader health picture in mind.
Pregnancy and Special Circumstances
Health insurance and pricing
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Yes, depending on your level of cover and the service booked.
Please check with your health fund for your specific level of cover before your appointment.
If eligible, you can claim your private health rebate on the spot at the end of your appointment.
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Acupuncture consultations are eligible for a private health rebate if your policy includes acupuncture cover.
Chinese Herbal Medicine consultations are eligible if your policy includes Chinese Herbal Medicine cover.
Cupping and Gua Sha are eligible when performed as part of a 60 or 90-minute acupuncture appointment, but not as a standalone 30-minute session.
Please contact your health fund to confirm your specific entitlements before your appointment.
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Medicare does not currently cover acupuncture or Traditional Chinese Medicine services in Australia.
Private health insurance is the primary rebate pathway for eligible treatments.
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Current pricing for all services is available via the online booking system.
Select ‘Appointments’ in the top navigation to view consultation types and fees. Prices are kept up to date in my booking system and reflect any changes as they occur.
Bookings and logistics
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All appointments are booked online via Cliniko. Select the ‘Appointments’ button in the top navigation.
If you have a question before booking, you're welcome to reach out via the contact form and I will get back to you.
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Appointment availability varies. As a general guide, booking at least a few weeks in advance helps secure your preferred time, particularly for weekend or early evening slots.
Up-to-date availability is always visible in the online booking system.
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Life happens, I understand! If you need to cancel or reschedule, please let me know as soon as possible. 100% of fees charged for cancellations within 24 hours of appointment and no-shows.
If you need to reschedule your appointment, please rebook via my bookings page, or contact me directly on 0403 928 351.
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If you're running late, please let me know as soon as possible. I will do my best to accommodate you, though please be aware that late arrivals may result in a shorter treatment time to avoid affecting other appointments.
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Yes! I offer early morning, evening and weekend slots. However, they are limited and often booked out quickly. Please check my booking page for updated availability.
Still have a question?
Reach out to me directly I'll get back to you.
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