Acupuncture is a therapeutic method of inserting fine needles at specific points over the body. It was originally developed in China over 2000 years ago to treat disease by balancing energy and blood. Today, the western approach to acupuncture incorporates the traditional Chinese medicine approach with a focus on anatomy. Acupuncture stimulates both muscles and nerves, this in turn helps to stimulate the release of endorphins – these are you body’s own pain relieving chemicals. Acupuncture can be used to improve energy, stimulate healing, decrease inflammation, decrease pain, and improve function.
This is highly variable depending on how new or old the condition is. In general treatments are 30 – 45 minute sessions. For acute (new) conditions acupuncture is recommended every second day for the first week and will decreases to once a week for 2-3 weeks subsequently as improvement occurs.
Yes! Practitioners are trained in a certified program involving both hands-on practical exams as well as written exams prior to certification. Needles are single-use and disposable. The most common side effects include bleeding, bruising, and soreness post treatment. Very rare serious side effects include injury to an internal organ and pneumothorax. These risks can be mitigated by proper insertion of needles.
Most people find acupuncture to be a relaxing and comfortable experience. Most often people experience a brief aching or warmth that occurs during needle insertion or manipulation and this disappears within a few seconds.