Acupucnture
Ten years ago if you had told me that needles could help someone relax I would have thought you were a mad as a hatter.
Acupuncture is a component of a 3000-year-old system of Asian medicine. Extremely fine needles are inserted at specific points to alter how your nervous system and brain perceive physical and emotional pain.
Every treatment is customized for you. I incorporate cupping techniques, massage, and athletic taping into treatments as required.
Your acupuncture treatment can be billed with either my naturopathic license and/or my acupuncture license. New patients often have questions about acupuncture before they proceed.
Does it hurt?
The needles are so tiny that I can insert them without your pain signal pathway being activated. Some points have a mild discomfort with needle insertion. Other points you won’t feel at all. I customize treatments for patients that are afraid of needles. In fact, I’ve had patients get over their fear of needles with acupuncture.
How long is a treatment?
45 minutes for $80. We have a little chat about your concern and then you have plenty of time to get treated and relax.
How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture changes how your body perceives pain signals in your nervous system and the limbic system. The limbic system is a primitive part of your brain that regulates your emotions, motivations, learning and perceptions of painful stimuli. By altering this signalling pathway, acupuncture helps patients with chronic pain, depression and anxiety.
Upon insertion, acupuncture needles release endorphins. These are anti-inflammatory, pain killing molecules that treat acute injuries. Increased circulation in the area where the needle is placed facilitates healing.
Acupuncture moves qi, your vital force. Your energetic body is not an aspect of health that’s addressed in Western medicine. You may have low energy days when you feel exhausted and run down. On other days you have extra pep in your step and feel great. Although you feel energetically different, blood testing would not show any biochemical difference.
Acupuncture helps unblock your energetic body to facilitate a more vibrant state of being.
How many treatments will I need?
An acute condition, like a sore muscle, typically requires four sessions. Chronic concerns, particularly ones related to our modern, stressful lifestyle, are best treated with maintenance care twice a month.
