Acupuncture
Acupuncture uses disposable, non-medicated needles that are inserted at strategic points on the body. This causes an interaction that uses the body’s energy to balance bodily organs and systems in a natural manner.
Acupuncture is relatively painless, and often has a heavy sensation, achiness, warmth or movement of vital energy, or Qi, at the point of insertion or along the energy channels. Acupuncture acts as a Qi regulator/rebalancer in the body. Areas of excess Qi can be balanced with areas of lack. Often, pain is a blockage of Qi in a specific area, and acupuncture can help open up the area and relieve discomfort.
How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture works by influencing the meridians, or channel pathways, in the body. By regulating these channels, a practitioner can ease problems like pain and help with energy level. These channels also go internally through the body, so points near the skin can help regulate internal conditions as well. Also see “What are meridians?” on the "What is it?" page.
Does it hurt?
The insertion of acupuncture needles is pain free. Needle insertion is comparable to a hair pull or a small pinch, and often there is no feeling at all. Common feelings with acupuncture can be a feeling of achiness or heaviness in the local area, or sometimes a moving sensation.
How thick are the needles?
Acupuncture needles are very thin – about the thickness of a human hair. They are designed with a tapered end that is meant more to penetrate rather than pierce into the skin.
How deep do needles go?
Depth depends a bit on body area and style of acupuncture, as points in the body can be deeper than in the hands or feet, but most points are inserted about 1-2 cm or less.
Is there more than one style of acupuncture?
There are several styles of acupuncture in practice in Canada and the West. The two main styles are traditional acupuncture (also called meridian- or Chinese- acupuncture) and orthopedic acupuncture (also sports injury or muscle acupuncture). The main difference in styles is the theory used when needling – either meridians or muscle-nerves theory. In our clinic, we use both styles, depending on the needs of the client.
Acupuncture can also be mistaken for “dry needling”. This is a term used by professionals whose specialty is in another field and do not use the Chinese Medicine theory when they insert needles. Dry needling is not an equivalent to acupuncture, requiring only a short training, and the scope of conditions it is indicated to treat is limited to muscular or structural problems.
Acupuncture is relatively painless, and often has a heavy sensation, achiness, warmth or movement of vital energy, or Qi, at the point of insertion or along the energy channels. Acupuncture acts as a Qi regulator/rebalancer in the body. Areas of excess Qi can be balanced with areas of lack. Often, pain is a blockage of Qi in a specific area, and acupuncture can help open up the area and relieve discomfort.
How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture works by influencing the meridians, or channel pathways, in the body. By regulating these channels, a practitioner can ease problems like pain and help with energy level. These channels also go internally through the body, so points near the skin can help regulate internal conditions as well. Also see “What are meridians?” on the "What is it?" page.
Does it hurt?
The insertion of acupuncture needles is pain free. Needle insertion is comparable to a hair pull or a small pinch, and often there is no feeling at all. Common feelings with acupuncture can be a feeling of achiness or heaviness in the local area, or sometimes a moving sensation.
How thick are the needles?
Acupuncture needles are very thin – about the thickness of a human hair. They are designed with a tapered end that is meant more to penetrate rather than pierce into the skin.
How deep do needles go?
Depth depends a bit on body area and style of acupuncture, as points in the body can be deeper than in the hands or feet, but most points are inserted about 1-2 cm or less.
Is there more than one style of acupuncture?
There are several styles of acupuncture in practice in Canada and the West. The two main styles are traditional acupuncture (also called meridian- or Chinese- acupuncture) and orthopedic acupuncture (also sports injury or muscle acupuncture). The main difference in styles is the theory used when needling – either meridians or muscle-nerves theory. In our clinic, we use both styles, depending on the needs of the client.
Acupuncture can also be mistaken for “dry needling”. This is a term used by professionals whose specialty is in another field and do not use the Chinese Medicine theory when they insert needles. Dry needling is not an equivalent to acupuncture, requiring only a short training, and the scope of conditions it is indicated to treat is limited to muscular or structural problems.