Initial – $75
Acupuncture is one of the oldest, most commonly used medical procedures in the world.
It is a method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and to improve functioning. This is done by inserting needles and applying heat or electrical stimulation at very precise acupuncture points. Needling the acupuncture points stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These chemicals will either decrease pain, or they will trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones which influence the body’s own internal regulating system. The improved energy and biochemical balance produced by acupuncture results in stimulating the body’s natural healing abilities, and in promoting physical and emotional well-being.
How does acupuncture work?
The classical Chinese explanation is that channels of energy run in regular patterns through the body and over its surface. These energy channels, called meridians, are like rivers flowing through the body to irrigate and nourish the tissues. An obstruction in the movement of these energy rivers is like a dam that backs up the flow. Acupuncture is a method used to remove these “dams.” The modern explanation is proposed that acupuncture produces its effects through regulating the nervous system, thus aiding the activity of pain-killing biochemicals such as endorphins and immune system cells at specific sites in the body.
What are the needles like? Do they hurt?
People experience acupuncture needling differently. Most patients feel only minimal pain as the needles are inserted; some feel no pain at all. Once the needles are in place, there is no pain felt. Acupuncture needles are very thin and solid and are made from stainless steel. The point is smooth (not hollow with cutting edges like a hypodermic needle) and insertion through the skin is not as painful as injections or blood sampling. The risk of bruising and skin irritation is less than when using a hollow needle. The doctors at Chiromedics Health Centre™ follow clean needle technique and use disposable needles, therefore there is little to no risk of infection from the treatments.
Can acupuncture help me to quit smoking?
There are acupuncture points that are associated with quitting smoking. Acupuncture can help ease the cravings that are experienced during this time. It is best advised to start with a course of acupuncture after you have decided to quit.
Can acupuncture help me lose weight?
Acupuncture can help reduce the desire to snack between meals, thereby facilitating a decrease in weight. Acupuncture alone will not allow one to lose weight; a balanced diet and exercise is essential to one’s weight loss program.
Is acupuncture covered by OHIP?
Many private health benefits provide coverage for acupuncture but presently there is no OHIP coverage.