Acupuncture Explained
Acupuncture an Ancient Form of Healing
Acupuncture is an ancient form of healing that has been used for thousands of years. It is a type of treatment that uses thin needles to stimulate specific points on the body.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a whole system of medicine that includes;
acupuncture
cupping therapy,
gua sha
infrared heat therapy
TUI NA Chinese-style massage therapy
acupressure
moxibustion
and more.
The goal of acupuncture and TCM is to stimulate the body’s natural healing abilities and restore balance to the body. This means Acupuncture treatments can provide deep healing for conditions that require hormonal and neurological balance and restoration. The immune system can be boosted aiding healing and defending the body from illness and allergies. Gut and Digestive issues can benefit greatly by restoring harmony between organs and calming the nervous system. Sleep is one of our greatest sources of restorative healing for the body. If you are suffering from insomnia acupuncture can get to the root of the problem.
Acupuncture & TCM Explained
A Registered Acupuncture or treatment by a TCM practitioner consists of a careful assessment of the patient to determine how and where the needles are placed during treatment. The combination of careful assessment along with delicately and accurately positioned needles can be a powerful pain control, prevent disease through enhanced immunity and balance and improve the body’s flow of energy to all vital organs. The process of regulating the energy flow thru the body called Qi or chi pronounced “chee” is the underlying principal of an acupuncture treatment.
Qi flows around the body through channels called meridians. 12 regular meridians corresponds to six yin and six yang organs—the spleen meridian to the spleen organ, the large intestine meridian to the large intestine organ, and so on. Acupuncture treatments also use eight extra meridians.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes acupuncture helps Qi flow smoothly through the meridians. This effects changes in the internal organs and musculoskeletal system towards a perceived higher quality of health as the beneficial outcome.
Acupuncture and TCM practitioners believe that our bodies have a special energy called Qi (pronounced “chee”). This energy flows through the body along pathways called meridians. When the Qi is flowing smoothly, we feel healthy and strong. But when the flow is blocked, we can feel pain or become sick. Acupuncture helps to unblock the flow of Qi and restore balance to the body.
During a treatment, a practitioner will carefully assess the patient to determine how and where the needles are placed. The combination of careful assessment and delicately positioned needles can be a powerful tool for pain control, preventing disease through enhanced immunity and balance, and improving the body’s flow of energy to all vital organs.
Our style of acupuncture has long standing roots in China and requires time to do its work.
We believe that applying heat. hot stones and or cupping therapy to the tissues prepares and enhances the effectiveness of the needle. Many of our massage therapy clients also receive acupuncture for maximum wellness. Book an appointment today and experience the benefits of your balanced Qi.
How does Acupuncture work?
Disharmony in an organ often shows up in its corresponding meridian. Practitioners can palpate a point on the corresponding meridian to assess the health of its related organ and sometimes the entire meridians are treated.
For example, a practitioner might treat a sore shoulder by increasing the flow of Qi and blood through the large intestine, lung, and triple burner meridians. The organs related to these meridians may be completely healthy but these meridians are selected because they pass through the area of the injured shoulder. Although they flow deep within the body, each meridian has specific points that can be accessed from the surface of the body via the shallow insertion of a thin needle.
What do needles do in a Registered Acupuncturists treatment?
Modern practitioners use surgical quality stainless steel needles that can vary in length and dimension depending on the treatment and practitioner style. Some needles can be plated with silver, gold, or copper to enhance the efficacy of the treatment. Sterile needles like other medical devices have expiration dates and are used only once and then discarded.
Needling can effect the body and acupuncture points in different ways. Each acupuncture point has a specific set of functions and some functions are local, while some are systemic. As an example if the energy relating to the point is weak or the corresponding organ function is sluggish, then stimulating the point to tonify it would be indicated. On the other hand if the point is sensed by the acupuncturist to be over stimulated as in a stressed or painful condition then the treatment would call for sedation or relaxation of the energy flowing through that point/meridian.
What is TCM?
TCM stands for traditional Chinese Medicine. The practice of TCM was the original Chinese method of health care performed by practitioners and Doctors of Chinese Medicine from centuries past. Today TCM is practiced as an alternative or support to western styles of allopathic medicine. Along with Acupuncture TCM may include the following:
Cupping Therapy – find out more
Heat Therapy
Tui Na (Chinese style massage therapy)
Acupressure (apply pressure strategically to meridians and acu points)
Moxibustion
Gua Sha (a scaping technique using a blunt edged tool to increase circulation and the flow of Qi)
Dietary Advice and Herbal Remedies
Facial Acupuncture Therapy – beauty starts from within find out more
Does Acupuncture Work? Evidence Based Research.
Acupuncture and TCM are some of the oldest forms of healing and have been used for thousands of years. It is practiced by College trained and Regulated Registered Acupuncturists as well as Physicians and Physiotherapists. So a resounding yes, acupuncture works! It is definitely worth experiencing, call today and inquire about how acupuncture can benefit you. Read some of our many blog posts about the effectiveness of Acupuncture. Researched studies have shown it to be effective in the treatment of stomach pain, vomiting, indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, dizziness, fatigue, and low immunity. Needle insertion can relieve certain pain conditions immediately. Modern research confirms that applying needles to specific acupuncture points actually raises the white blood cell count, thus improving immunity and defense against allergies and respiratory illness. Research in China and Japan with electrical conductivity has confirmed the tangible existence of the acupuncture points and double-blind studies have shown acupuncture is safe and effective in treating a wide range of diseases. In some Chinese hospitals, acupuncture substitutes for anesthesia. While it may not be a cure-all, acupuncture and TCM have been shown to be effective in the treatment of a wide range of health problems, including pain, stress, headaches, and even more serious conditions like cancer and heart disease.
World Health & Acupuncture
The World Health Organization recognizes the effectiveness of acupuncture treatments, namely for pain relief, neurological and gastrointestinal disorders. Acupuncture has been used to treat pain as an alternative to costly anesthesia and analgesic (pain) medication. Acupuncture has been researched proving its efficacy to improve the natural immunity in patients. Enhanced immunity can reduce the necessity for antibiotics in countries where these medications are less accessible.
Acupuncture & TCM Rates:
Initial 75 minute treatment and consultation~ $130.00
60 minute subsequent treatment ~ $105
Initial ICBC treatment and consultation available
Subsequent ICBC treatment available
Cupping Therapy Rates and Treatment Information
What is Chinese Cupping Therapy? read more
If you’re interested in trying acupuncture or TCM, book an appointment with our Registered Acupuncturist Today
