Medical acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment approach integrating traditional Chinese medicine with current concepts of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology. It involves the insertion of fine needles through the skin and tissues at specific points. This provides a therapeutic effect that:

• encourages natural healing
• improves function of the targeted areas
• reduces and relieves pain

Acupuncture is able to do this by stimulating the body to produce endorphins, our natural pain relieving chemicals. It also improves blood circulation to the affected tissue, and effectively relaxes irritated nerves.

Based on current evidence from controlled trials, the World Health Organization (WHO) established that the following conditions could be effectively treated using acupuncture:

• Headaches
• Acute sprains/strains
• Pain from nerve entrapments (e.g Sciatica)
• Repetitive strain disorders (e.g. carpal tunnel, tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinosis)
• Osteoarthritis
• Degenerative disc/joint disease
• Postoperative pain
• Essential hypertension
• Depression
• Allergic rhinitis
• Nausea and vomiting
• Chronic pain

Our acupuncturists will discuss the symptoms related to your health issues, your daily activities and lifestyle. An overall diagnosis will be compiled by examining the parts of the body where you are experiencing pain and other areas of concern. Once the initial assessment has been made acupuncture treatment can begin.

Thin metallic needles (as thin as a hair) are inserted in specific points of the body. With treatment you may experience slight to no pain, some people feel other sensations but generally it will feel relaxing. The treatment normally lasts about 30 minutes while you are still and relaxed. Our acupuncturists will gently turn or move the needles and sometimes apply mild electric pulse or heat to them while you relax. During the course of the acupuncture procedure, specific chemicals release into the body treating back and neck pain.

After treatment pain relief may be immediate, delayed a couple hours or show after a few days. Pain relief will usually last for a few hours after the first visit while each successive treatment can prolong the relief. A treatment plan related to your specific problem may include 6 to 12 sessions spaced over a few months.