What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an ancient way of healing that involves the insertion of very fine, sterile, disposable needles into various points on the body. Acupuncturists do this to influence the flow of energy, stimulate the body’s healing response, and restore normal functions of the body. Acupuncture is based on the premise that our bodies have a self-healing ability- acupuncture reminds the body of what it already knows but has forgotten: how to heal itself. Today, acupuncture is receiving wide acceptance as a respected, valid, and effective form of health care because of one fact- it works!
Does Acupuncture Hurt?
Acupuncture is relatively painless. Some people are reluctant to try it because it involves the use of needles. However, the needles are very small and fine- about the thickness of a cat’s whisker and typically you will not notice the needles being inserted. Depending on the area of the body and the person, you may experience minor discomfort when the needle is first inserted, a feeling like a bee sting or a pinch. However, a skilled acupuncturist is very good at gentle insertion and minimizing discomfort. In fact, acupuncture can be a deeply relaxing, pleasant experience.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
An acupuncturist looks at the health of the body as a whole, diagnosing which areas are not functioning at a normal, healthy state and how this influences the health of the rest of the body. Typically an acupuncturist will talk in terms of imbalances or blockages in the body’s normal flow of energy, and uses acupuncture to influence this flow of energy in order to promote healing and resolve the problem.
How many treatments do I need?
Acupuncture typically takes a series of treatments to resolve a problem, regardless of what condition it is that we are treating. It is rare for any acupuncturist to be able to resolve a problem in one treatment. The number of treatments you will need depends on the nature of your problem as well as your overall health and how you respond to acupuncture. The longer a problem has been present, usually the more treatments it takes to resolve the problem. A general rule of thumb is for problems older than one year, it usually takes at least 10 treatments to resolve the problem.
Is acupuncture appropriate for children?
We often get the question, "Is acupuncture safe for children?" When parents experience how well acupuncture can benefit their own condition, they wonder whether it might be an option for their child. And parents today are looking for safer alternatives to medications for conditions like asthma, allergies, insomnia, digestive ailments, anxiety, skin conditions, and more.
What are an acupuncturist’s qualifications?
As a provincially regulated profession, Registered Acupuncturists are required to acquire a strict level of education and practical hours and pass licensing exams in order to legally practice in BC. This ensures that Registered Acupuncturists are knowledgeable and qualified to perform safe and effective acupuncture treatments.
What are tune up or maintenance treatments?
Our bodies are in a constant state of change. Sometimes small problems can develop, and if left unchecked, over time they can become major concerns or leave you susceptible to injury. Just as your dentist recommends periodic checkups to help detect tooth decay before it leads to serious problems, regular acupuncture checkups can help identify and correct small problems before they become bigger ones. This is the idea behind maintenance or “tune-up” treatments, which are periodic treatments to help maintain good health. Visits may be monthly, every other month, or seasonally.
What can acupuncture treat? Can it help me with my problem?
Most people think of acupuncture and its effectiveness for the treatment of pain. It is indeed very effective for all types of acute and chronic pain, ranging from injuries to arthritis, back pain, frozen shoulder and more. But acupuncture can also treat almost any condition in the body. It is effective for most internal problems such as migraines, insomnia, digestive problems, PMS and menopause, asthma, and allergies.
What is an acupuncture treatment like?
During treatment, the needles will be placed in various points on your body, then you will be left to relax with the needles in place for roughly 30 minutes. We may be using points on the torso, back, legs, or arms so loose, comfortable clothing that can be pulled up to access these areas is best. If removing some articles of clothing for treatment, we have very lightweight paper sheets available for cover if you prefer. Some patients bring clothes that they change into before treatment, such as shorts or a skirt and tank top.
What is Traditional Chinese Medicine?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a a distinct and separate medical system and practice from modern Western medicine. TCM is a highly developed professional medicine with a history of more than 2,000 years, making it the oldest, continuously practiced professional medicine in the world. It is used by one quarter of the world's population- and growing! In fact, Chinese medicine has been proven to work so well that the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended TCM for worldwide use.
Will my insurance cover acupuncture? What about MSP, ICBC, WCB, DVA?
Acupuncture is very widely accepted and most extended medical plans do cover acupuncture. However, because every policy is different, we recommend you check with your insurer to find out the exact coverage. Most insurance plans do not require a doctor’s referral for acupuncture, however some do so again, check with your plan. We do not bill insurance companies directly, but we will provide you with an insurance receipt that you can submit to your plan for reimbursement.
