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Acupuncture
(Traditional & Contemporary)
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) the overall health of our body is influenced by energy (Qi).
Qi moves throughout the body via meridians (channels) and can be accessed during acupuncture. Acupuncture points are located along these meridians and when stimulated with acupuncture needles can support the balance and health of the tissues and organs for which the meridians govern.
What are the benefits of Acupuncture?
This approach to acupuncture can be beneficial for a variety of conditions, including but not limited to:
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anxiety/depression,
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fertility promotion,
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infertility,
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IVF support,
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menopause,
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weight loss,
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smoking cessation,
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insomnia,
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chronic pain and more.
Traditional acupuncture is performed exclusively by practitioners who have studied traditional Chinese medicine such as naturopathic doctors and TCM practitioners. Our naturopathic doctor offers meridian based acupuncture. She will design a protocol that is informed by a detailed health history and in individualized to meet your specific health goals.
Contemporary Acupuncture aka. Dry Needling
Contemporary acupuncture, sometimes referred to as dry needling or medical acupuncture, is done almost exclusively for musculoskeletal complaints. Rather than treating the meridians, as in traditional acupuncture, the needling is done directly into a person's problematic tissue in order to stimulate a relaxation response in the muscle's trigger point and a local chemical response which provides pain relief. The needles are typically stimulated with either a small electrical current or with a pecking technique (a piston type motion of the needle being rapidly moved shallower and deeper).
Typically, dry needling is performed by health care practitioners who have studied the body's anatomy and physiology extensively in their respective fields (such as chiropractic, physiotherapy or massage therapy) and then it is added as an adjunctive to their already large array of treatment options to help provide a patient with pain relief and improved function and movement.
