21 April 2020

It was announced yesterday by Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, that New Zealand would be staying in Alert Level 4 until 11.59pm on Monday 27 April. When we wake on Tuesday morning we will have moved to Alert Level 3.

Whilst this allows some people to return to work, as Allied Health practitioners working in private practice, members of Acupuncture NZ will not be back in their clinics for face-to-face appointments whilst we remain at Level 3.

Some practitioners throughout the country, however, will be providing Telehealth consultations via phone, skype, zoom or other electronic platforms. Those who choose to provide such a service will be able to demonstrate and supervise a number of techniques to their patients which may be of assistance. These include massage, acupressure, application of press tacks or beads, or gua sha. Dietary and lifestyle advice as well as simple Tai qi or Qi gong exercises can also be provided. Practitioners who also practise herbal medicine will be able to prescribe herbs which can be sent out via courier or picked up in a contactless manner.

Contact your local practitioner for assistance - even if they are not doing Telehealth consultations they may be able to direct you to another local practitioner who can help.

Once we move down to Level 2, clinic visits will be able to resume. All Acupuncture NZ members will have the appropriate measures in place to ensure safety for those visiting the clinic as well as for themselves.