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A promise of change in sixty seconds is a reason to ask more, not less. This guide covers what a headline cannot tell you and the questions to raise first.

An advertisement pledging change within a minute is tempting when you are worn out or sore. When choosing a practitioner, though, a promise of that kind is a cue to ask more questions, not fewer.

What a headline cannot tell you

No slogan can determine how long a session ought to last for you, or what you might notice afterwards. Both hinge on an individual assessment, and reputable providers steer clear of quoting timeframes for results altogether. If an advertisement does exactly that, it tells you something about the provider's priorities.

Factors a practitioner should weigh

Before suggesting anything, Dr Christine Shen, Acupuncturist, considers temperature, placement and how reliably you can feel heat in the area concerned. She offers moxibustion in Lane Cove and points out that even a brief application may need careful assessment, while extra length or extra heat carries no built-in advantage, whatever an advertisement implies.

Questions to ask before you begin

• What exactly is being proposed in my case, and on what grounds?
• After today, how do we judge whether to carry on?
• How do I tell you if it becomes too warm?
• What should I do for my skin over the following days?

Why personal instructions matter

Airway sensitivity, the state of your skin and your ability to sense heat all affect what is suitable. Christine's instructions are written for your situation alone; a routine posted online, or a neighbour's enthusiastic report, cannot reveal what your own needs are.

Judging providers by their language

Clinics that describe moxibustion in careful, concrete wording are usually easier to have an honest discussion with. Let that guide your shortlist more than any promise of speed. If an advertisement makes you feel you must act quickly, treat that feeling as a signal to slow down, gather information and compare at least two providers before deciding.

Moxibustion forms part of Chinese medicine practice, so it is also reasonable to ask whoever offers it how it fits within their training and scope of practice.