What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an ancient and effective therapeutic modality which has been used in China for thousands of years and is growing in popularity in North America. Acupuncture uses thin solid sterile needles inserted in to the skin ant specific points in the body. There are a number of university based and World Health Organization studies showing the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating a large number of conditions and disabilities.
How does it work?
It is believed that acupuncture needles help release opioids which then decrease pain and disrupt the integrity of the dysfunctional end plates to promote healing. There is also evidence that the acupuncture points are associated with nerves throughout the body. The insertion of the acupuncture needles will help to lower the sensitivity of the nervous system and as such reduce pain and dysfunction as well as promote relaxation and healthy tissues and organs.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine the belief is that acupuncture helps balance qi (chi) or energy and blood to minimize stasis and keep the body healthy and functional.
Safety
Acupuncture is very safe when done by trained practitioners. I use only a “sterile needle technique” which consists of a combination of practitioner hygiene, hand washing and using only single use, individually wrapped sterile needles that touch nothing but the patient’s skin. I also wipe the treatment area with alcohol before the insertion and after the removal of every needle.
Possible side effects
Possible side effects include slight or minimal bleeding or bruising at the location of the insertion. There is also a very low risk, which is mitigated with proper technique, of allergic reaction, miscellaneous infection, nausea or fainting.
What does it feel like
Generally acupuncture is not painful, or minimally painful. Patients often describe a sensation of soreness, distension, numbness, heaviness, aching, pressure, fullness, warmth, coolness, itching or water/air flowing in and around the needle insertion.
Usually, patients feel quite calm and relaxed during an acupuncture treatment.
How long does it take
Just like traditional physiotherapy, treatment is individual and thus effectiveness and time to work is different for each person. Some patients may feel immediate results and a few may have no response at all to this form of treatment. Typically patients experience the largest results within 4-8 treatment sessions.
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