Acupuncture is a treatment technique that belongs to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Traditional Chinese Medicine is a complete, holistic healthcare system that has been practiced and documented for over 2000 years. It also includes herbal medicine, guasha, cupping, tuina (massage), qigong exercises, lifestyle modifications, food therapy, and other natural and non-invasive techniques. Chinese Medicine shifts your body out of disharmony and discomfort and into a state of balance and wellness.
A TCM practitioner will address both the root cause of your condition as well as the branches (the symptoms you experience), instead of exclusively treating or masking your symptoms. By encouraging shifts in your self-awareness, lifestyle, and diet, your practitioner will also enlist and empower you to improve your own health and prevent the recurrence of your symptoms.
When should I see a Chinese Medicine Practitioner?
Commonly, people get Acupuncture to treat difficulty falling or staying asleep (insomnia), upper back and neck tension, mood disorders, headaches and migraines, bloating after eating and digestive disorders, PMS and painful periods, fatigue, chronic illnesses, and skin concerns such as acne, rosacea, and visible signs of aging. Traditional Chinese Medicine can relieve your symptoms and make you more comfortable in your body.
In North America, people often turn to TCM as a last resort for relief of their symptoms when other forms of treatment haven’t been effective. However, Chinese Medicine is uniquely valuable as a form of preventative medicine. It can improve your quality of life and empower you to make changes that will benefit your long-term health, whether you’re feeling unwell or just fine. This is why I recommend all my patients come in for monthly tune-ups once they’re feeling better after their course of acupuncture treatments!
What exactly is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture has been used as healthcare for thousands of years within Chinese Medicine, and continues to be used in hospitals to this day. During a treatment, fine, sterile, single-use surgical steel needles are inserted into carefully considered points, improving circulation of both blood and energy (think of how your body relies on electrical impulses to function). Acupuncture needles interact with the nervous system (the control center of your body’s processes) and local cells to elicit a healing response. Over time and with regular treatments, your body begins to heal itself with the help of acupuncture.
Within the context of Classical and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and when performed by an R.Ac and R.TCMP (a Registered Acupuncturist and Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner), acupuncture is capable of helping to resolve many health conditions. Acupuncture can address mood disorders, insomnia, menstrual disorders such as painful periods, digestive disorders, headaches, Bell’s Palsy, jaw pain, acne and other skin concerns, infertility, inflammatory disorders such as allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, and so much more!
The acupuncture channels correspond with pathways of the peripheral nervous system. Above: an example of two acupuncture points, LI-4 and ST-36, that correspond to sensory nerve endings. Source: Evidence Based Acupuncture
How many treatments do I need? When will I feel better?
Everybody’s reaction to acupuncture is a little bit different. Chronic issues or things you’ve experienced “as long as you can remember” take longer to heal than more recent or acute issues; people who are generally healthy will recover more quickly than those with multiple chronic illnesses; those in their 20s will recover more quickly than those in their 60s. Acupuncture is cumulative in effect. Each session builds on the results of the last. You might not notice much change after your first treatment for a chronic issue (in the same way you might not notice a difference after going to the gym once, eating a balanced meal once, or taking one dose of a medication). Stick to your treatment plan and the results will come! Trust in the process.
A recent or acute issue might only take a handful of treatments to resolve, for example twice per week the first 2 weeks, once per week for the next 2-4 weeks, and monthly tune-ups as you please.
A general treatment plan for a deeply entrenched, chronic issue (for example, anxiety or fibromyalgia for “as long as you can remember”) might involve receiving acupuncture twice per week for the first 2 weeks, once per week for the next 4-10 weeks, once every other week for a month, and then once per month onward for maintenance and prevention. Most people with many chronic health issues find they feel best when they work acupuncture into their lifestyle and continue to come in regularly.
Your treatment plan will be personalized, because everyone responds a little differently to acupuncture. Your healing journey might not look the same or take the same amount of time as someone else’s. As your symptoms improve, shift, and disappear, the treatments will be spaced out more and more until you’re just coming in for your monthly tune-up!
What can I expect at my first appointment?
At your first appointment, we’ll talk a lot about your treatment goals and overall health and wellness. Your health intake form will have covered a lot of ground, and I’ll ask you some questions about your answers. I ask to know so much about you because Chinese Medicine examines the broader picture of your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing to get to the root of your issues. We’ll have a chance to get to know each other a bit during this appointment, and follow-up appointments will be less chatty! I’ll also answer any questions you have for me during this appointment.
After this discussion, we’ll move into the treatment. The length of your first treatment may vary depending on how much we have to discuss. It might include body work like cupping, massage (tuina), or other modalities, but it may just include acupuncture! During your first treatment, we’ll discuss your personalized treatment plan to reach your health goals.
Everyone’s treatment looks a little different. For example, your treatment might start out with a relaxing cupping treatment or guasha treatment followed by acupuncture. It might start with acupuncture and be followed with an acupressure head massage. Each treatment is a little different. Once the needles are in, you can rest in stillness on a warm and comfortable massage table for about 30 minutes. You’ll be checked in on regularly to make sure that you’re comfortable and able to relax. Sink into the comfort and let your worries melt away! Some people receive other treatment modalities at the same time as acupuncture, such as a head massage, LED light therapy, FIR (Far Infrared) Heat Therapy, or electrical stimulation of the needles based on their needs and goals.
Now that I know it’s effective, is Acupuncture safe?
Acupuncture is a safe and effective form of treatment in the hands of a well-trained practitioner such as a Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (R.TCMP) or Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac). In Ontario, this is a regulated health profession with education and testing requirements to keep patients safe. Rest assured knowing R.Acs and R.TCMPs have received the most thorough training in using acupuncture to deliver safe and effective treatments.
Acupuncture treatments have associated risks, like any treatment available today. Luckily, acupuncture is non-invasive compared to other forms of healthcare and the common risks are mild. The most common side effect is bruising at points treated.
Acupuncture is a safe and reliable treatment that gets to the root cause of your discomfort and addresses your whole body health. It’s not just a temporary band-aid solution for your symptoms. When you see a Registered Acupuncturist, you’ll experience personalized treatments to support your health throughout the rest of your life. It’s perfect for you if you’re looking for natural, long-term wellness solutions and want to be empowered with the knowledge and tools to live a healthier, more balanced life!
