[toggle title="What is acupuncture?" class=" " active="0"]Acupuncture literally means “needle insertion”, the practice of guiding very fine needles into the skin and muscle to stimulate specific anatomic points in the body (called acupoints or acupuncture points) for therapeutic purposes. Acupuncture is used to regulate or correct the flow of Qi to restore health.

Will it hurt?

It’s virtually painless!  The needles are inserted without the discomfort that is typically associated with a needle.  All needles are single use, pre sterilized and disposable.  They are never used more than one time. Most patients experience sensations such as tingling, numbness, dull ache, heaviness, feeling of electrical hum in the body, warmth or coolness.[/toggle]

[toggle title="Is there any medical coverage for acupuncture?" class=" " active="0"]Many extended health plans have coverage for acupuncture.  The plans are all different so it is advisable to check with your extended health plan provider.

Do you direct bill?

We are pleased to offer the option of direct billing for most extended health insurance providers.  Please bring in your insurance card to facilitate the process.

Is there coverage from ICBC?

As of April 1, 2019, ICBC will be covering acupuncture services for those customers involved in motor vehicle accidents. There is no treatment pre- approval process required.

Customers only need a claim number from ICBC. ICBC will cover 12 acupuncture sessions within 12 weeks of the accident date.

 

How many treatments will I need?

We approach treatment in two stages.  The first is ‘acute or immediate care.’  In this stage, we address the immediate concerns of the individual such as muscle or joint pain, headaches, sleeping or digestive complaints.  Each person and condition is treated on an individual basis.  Most patients require between four (4) and ten (10) treatments.   Some patients require more and some less.

Once the symptoms of the first stage have been minimized we move into stage two.  Stage two focuses on maintenance and prevention.  This is the proactive stage.  We like to call it the “re-set cycle” stage.  We work with you to establish an ongoing treatment cycle that optimizes the ongoing “re-setting”’ of the energy in your body and minimizes the reoccurrence of the original symptoms.  The “re-set” cycle usually occurs on a monthly basis.

Treatment packages are available for purchase.  These allow you to pre-pay a certain number of visits at a reduced cost per visit.[/toggle]

[toggle title="What are the benefits of acupuncture?" class=" " active="0"]There are many benefits to experiencing acupuncture treatment.  Here are a few for your interest:

• Reduces pain, inflammation and swelling
• Increases blood supply to an injured area to increase healing speed
• Improves health and quality of life
• Reduces stress
• Improves emotional balance
• Improves respiratory health
• Improves sleep
• Offers premenstrual (PMS) and menopausal symptom relief
• Strengthens the immune system

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[toggle title="Does acupuncture hurt?" class=" " active="0"]This is a very common question.  Some people envision the needles to be big like a needle when you give blood.  But the needles are fine and so most of the time they are hardly noticed.  In fact, usually people are relaxed during a treatment and feel relaxed for the rest of the day.  It is not painful.   Most people feel mild tingling, slight numbness, dull achy sensations or nothing at all.[/toggle]

[toggle title="A More Detailed Explanation of Acupuncture?" class=" " active="0"]Acupuncture originated in China over five thousand years ago.  It is based on the concept that disease and injury are the result of a disruption or imbalance of Qi (pronounced “chee”, the life force of the body). This imbalance may create pain if the body’s Qi is not moving properly through a specific area.  The imbalance may create a variety of symptoms such as headaches, digestive difficulties, sleep problems, fatigue and muscle/joint pain to name a few.   The various symptoms are grouped together to show an underlying pattern of what has been affected in the body and what areas need to be treated to restore health.

Acupuncture literally means “needle insertion”, the practice of guiding very fine needles into the skin and muscle to stimulate specific anatomic points in the body (called acupoints or acupuncture points) for therapeutic purposes.  There are hundreds of acupuncture points that have been mapped over the body.

Acupuncture adjusts the flow of Qi in the body. By restoring the free flow of Qi in the body, acupuncture harmonizes and balances the body for optimal health and performance.

How does acupuncture work?

Eastern Explanation

Acupuncture works on the theory that there is a life force energy flowing through the body called Qi.  The Qi flows through multiple pathways in our body called meridians or channels.     These energy channels are like rivers flowing through the body to irrigate and nourish the tissues.  An obstruction in the movement of these energy rivers can create a dam like effect.  When there is a blockage to the flow of Qi in the body there is an imbalance.   Pain or illness arises when the free flow of Qi has become imbalanced or blocked.

Inserting acupuncture needles into acupuncture points along the meridians can unblock the obstructions at the dams and re-establish regular Qi flow through the meridians.  Acupuncture treatments can therefore help the body’s internal organs to correct imbalances and regulate the normal Qi flow in the body.

Western Explanation

The modern scientific explanation is that needling the acupuncture points stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These chemicals will either change the experience of pain, or they will trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones which influence the body’s own internal regulating system.   There are scientific studies that show that needling an acupuncture point, for example, on the outside of the baby toe, can influence brain activity as shown on an MRI scan.

Acupuncture has been shown clinically to have a direct effect on sensory receptors in the body, such as proprioceptors.  This ability to influence proprioceptors and change muscle imbalances by resetting muscles has been demonstrated with pre and post treatment using such tools as range of motion and manual muscle testing.

The improved energy, physiological and muscle balance produced by acupuncture results in stimulating the body’s natural healing abilities, and in promoting physical and emotional well-being.[/toggle]

[toggle title="What Are Common Conditions Treated by Acupuncture" class=" " active="0"]

• Muscle and joint injuries
• neck (including whiplash)
• frozen shoulder
• shoulder tendonitis
• elbow (tennis and golfer’s elbow)
• wrist (carpal tunnel syndrome)
• lower back
• hip
• sciatica
• knee
• ankle
• planter fascitis
• Running Injuries
• iliotibial band syndrome
• hip flexor tendonitis
• hamstring strain
• achilles tendonitis
• runners’ knee
• ankle sprains
• shin splint
• General Health
• tension headaches
• stress
• facial paralysis
• women’s issues (pre menstrual symptoms; menopause; menstrual irregularities)
• allergies
• insomnia
• arthritis
• depression
• anxiety
• digestive troubles

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