Acupuncture
What is acupuncture and how does it work?
Acupuncture involves the insertion of extremely thin sterilized needles through your skin at strategic points on your body. It is a component of Traditional Chinese Medicine that originated in China over 5,000 years ago.
Acupuncture can be explained via both eastern and western medical philosophies:
- Eastern/Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that acupuncture can be used as a technique for balancing the flow of energy or life force known as “qi” that circulates through energy lines known as meridians in the body. Each meridian is associated with a different organ system. An imbalance in the flow of qi throughout a meridian is how disease begins.
- Western Medicine believes that acupuncture acts locally to stimulate the body’s production of endorphins (natural pain killing molecules) and increases blood flow to stimulate the healing of nerves, muscles, and connective tissue.
Does it hurt?
Acupuncture is generally not painful. You might feel a slight pinch as the needle passes through your skin but once the needles are in you might not feel them at all!
What to expect with a treatment:
Needles are inserted in various areas of the body including limbs, torso & back. Needles are left in for 15-20 minutes. At the end of treatment most people feel generally calm & relaxed.
Conditions treated with acupuncture:
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized acupuncture to be effective for many health conditions. The most common and effectively treated with acupuncture are:
Muscle tension, low back pain, headaches, migraines, injuries (sprains & strains), sciatica, neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis
Depression, anxiety, insomnia
Constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloating, indigestion, heartburn, nausea or vomiting, IBS/IBD, food sensitivities
Allergies & hay fever, asthma, sinusitis
Painful menses (dysmenorrhea), heavy or irregular menses, PMS, PCOS, menopause
Acupuncture can be used for subfertility or as an adjunct to assisted reproductive technology (IUI/IVF). Acupuncture can almost double the effectiveness of these treatments! Read the study here.
We suggest weekly acupuncture to all our pregnant patients 4-6 weeks before their due date. It helps with relaxation, reduces pain & even shortens the length of labour. Read the study here.
