African Centre of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture

At the African Centre of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture (ACCMA) in Sunninghill, Sandton, we provide expert, patient-centered care grounded in over 15 years of clinical excellence. Led by Associate Professor Zijing Hu, a globally recognised authority in Chinese medicine, our clinic offers a comprehensive range of time-honoured therapies designed to restore balance, relieve pain, and improve your overall quality of life. Whether you are seeking relief from chronic pain, support for a neurological condition, or a holistic approach to women’s health and wellness, our team is dedicated to guiding you on a personalised healing journey using safe, evidence-informed Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

Conveniently located in the Sunninghill Office Park on Peltier Drive, we serve patients from across Sandton, Johannesburg, and the wider Gauteng region. Our approach integrates the profound wisdom of ancient healing practices with modern clinical insight, giving you the best possible foundation for recovery and long-term vitality.

Services & Therapies

Every treatment plan at ACCMA begins with a thorough consultation and examination to understand the root cause of your symptoms, not just the surface discomfort. We combine diagnostic skill with traditional theory to craft a customised, multi-modal treatment strategy that meets your unique needs. The core therapies we use include:

• Acupuncture: The gentle insertion of ultra-fine, sterile needles into specific points on the body to regulate the flow of Qi, reduce inflammation, and trigger the body’s natural healing response.
• Chinese Herbal Medicine: Custom-formulated prescriptions using parts of plants with medicinal properties, calibrated to your specific diagnosis to strengthen internal systems, dispel pathogens, and rebuild vitality.
• Moxibustion: The controlled burning of the herb mugwort near the skin along meridian pathways to generate a deep, penetrating warmth that promotes circulation and accelerates the healing of soft tissues.
• Cupping: The application of glass cups with a gentle suction to the skin to release fascial restrictions, improve blood flow, and relieve muscle tension and pain.
• Guasha (Scraping): A therapeutic scraping technique that addresses stagnation, encourages microcirculation in the surface tissues, and supports immune function and pain relief.

Conditions We Support

Our clinical focus spans a wide spectrum of physical, neurological, and emotional health concerns. Many patients come to us after finding limited results with conventional approaches. Some of the key areas we treat include:

Pain & Musculoskeletal Health

• Chronic low back and neck pain
• Sciatica, knee pain, and shoulder periarthritis
• Migraines, tension headaches, and facial pain
• Tennis elbow, sprains, and rheumatoid arthritis

Neurology & Stroke Rehabilitation

• Post-stroke paresis and recovery
• Facial palsy (Bell’s palsy) and Meniere's disease
• Nocturnal enuresis

Women’s & Men’s Health

• Menopause symptoms, menstrual irregularities, and primary dysmenorrhea
• Infertility support and reproductive health
• Fatigue, immune support, and weight management

Psychological & Digestive Wellness

• Depression, anxiety, insomnia, and stress-related disorders
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation, and acute gastritis
• Allergies, asthma, and sinusitis

Why Patients Choose ACCMA in Sandton

Our practice is distinguished by the calibre of our clinical leadership. Prof Hu is not only an Associate Professor at the University of Johannesburg but also the first person appointed at this level in the field of Chinese Medicine in South Africa. This academic rigour translates directly into the care you receive: every diagnosis and treatment decision is informed by current research, peer-reviewed publications, and decades of hands-on experience. We do not offer a one-size-fits-all protocol; we offer a responsive, evolving partnership that honours your health goals.

Beyond the lead practitioner, the entire team is registered with the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA), ensuring that you are treated according to the highest professional and ethical standards on the continent. Our centre also maintains active collaborations with national and international institutions, including the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies and the Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Association of Africa, bringing a truly global standard of care to Sunninghill.

Integrative Health & Cancer Supportive Care

We offer specialised supportive care for individuals undergoing radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Many patients experience side effects such as nausea, vomiting, debilitating fatigue, dry mouth, and neuropathic pain. Through carefully selected acupuncture points and herbal adjuncts, we help mitigate these adverse reactions, improve your energy levels, and support your immune system during conventional cancer treatment. Our integrative approach is complementary — we work alongside your oncologist, never against their protocol, with the sole aim of enhancing your comfort and resilience through a difficult period.

Expertise Beyond the Clinic

Prof Hu’s influence extends into the very framework of Chinese medicine regulation in South Africa. He has contributed to policy documents for the South African Department of Health and the World Health Organization, served as Chief Examiner for national board examinations, and currently chairs the Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Association of Africa. This leadership ensures that our small clinic in Sunninghill operates at the nexus of education, policy, and practice. When you sit in our treatment room, you benefit from a depth of knowledge that very few centres can offer.

We also believe strongly in patient education. We do not just treat — we explain. You will leave your session with a clear understanding of your pattern of imbalance, the rationale for your herbal formula, and practical lifestyle and dietary recommendations that continue your healing between appointments.

Hours, Location & Directions

We are located at Unit 31, Sunninghill Office Park, 20 Peltier Road, Sunninghill, Sandton, 2157, South Africa. Our clinic is open Monday to Friday from 08:30 to 16:00, with appointments available by booking. To find us, use the main entrance of the Sunninghill Office Park off Peltier Drive; ample parking is available on site. We recommend scheduling your visit by phone at 074 826 2190 or via email at info@accma.co.za to secure a convenient time. While we welcome walk-in patients, pre-booked consultations allow us to give you our full, unhurried attention from the moment you arrive.

Questions Visitors Ask

Newcomers to Chinese medicine often arrive with both hope and uncertainty. We encourage you to ask any question during your consultation, but here are answers to a few we hear regularly:

• Is acupuncture painful? No. The needles are incredibly fine — many patients barely feel their insertion. You may experience a subtle sensation of warmth, heaviness, or a dull ache around the point, which is a normal sign of Qi activation and is typically brief and comfortable.
• How many sessions will I need? The number of treatments varies depending on your condition, its duration, and your individual response. Acute issues may resolve in a handful of sessions, while chronic and complex conditions benefit from a longer course of therapy. After your initial examination, we will give you a realistic treatment plan with clear milestones.
• Are the herbs safe with my other medications? Yes. A detailed medical history, including all current medications, is part of your intake process. We carefully select herbs that are compatible with your existing prescriptions and consider any potential interactions before formulating your remedy.