Does Acupuncture Promote Natural Healing?
Acupuncture dates back to thousands of years in China, Korea, and eastern civilization. It was believed that diseases are due to an imbalance in the body’s energy. Energy runs through the body through channels and when these channels are blocked, pain and disease are present. Acupuncture unblocks these channels and energy flow is resumed.
Modern acupuncture has a different explanation for the effects of this treatment. Acupuncture is the art of stimulating specific points on the body by needling or electrical impulse to promote natural healing, control pain and normalize function.
- What is medical acupuncture?
- What is the traditional acupuncture?
- How does acupuncture work?
- What conditions are treated by acupuncture?
- Does acupuncture hurt?
- How many acupuncture treatment is usually needed?
- Does insurance pay for acupuncture?
At Physiomobility, we practice Medical Acupuncture and dry needling, also known as Western Acupuncture, which uses stimulating trigger points and regional points. We also use Traditional Chinese Medicine points for treating common pain conditions. There is an increasing body of scientific research showing the effects of acupuncture on the body, including its regulation of nerves and the release of a myriad of neurotransmitters and hormones.
What is medical acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the practice of stimulating specific points on the body, by either needling or electrical impulse, to promote natural healing, control pain, and normalize function. Our physiotherapists, chiropractors and massage therapists may use acupuncture as part of their treatments, and within the scope of their respective practices. Medical Acupuncture is the Modern Scientific Approach To An Old Healing Art.
What is Traditional Acupuncture?
Traditional acupuncture is commonly referred to as Chines acupuncture. Traditional acupuncture is one of the many treatment methods provided by Chinese Medicine providers. Physiomobility practitioners provide Traditional acupuncture, medical acupuncture, and dry needling. Our registered acupuncturist provides traditional acupuncture for many conditions including pain management, anxiety, gastrointestinal conditions, and women’s health.
How does acupuncture work?
Needling acupuncture points stimulate the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These chemicals will either change the experience of pain or will trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones that influence the body’s own biochemical balance produced by acupuncture, resulting in stimulating the body’s natural healing abilities and in promoting physical and emotional well-being. The scientific community agrees that, although there are many benefits in the benefits of acupuncture for treating pain, more research and evidence is needed. Considering the low risk and the cost-effectiveness of this modality, acupuncture is commonly used to treat many pain conditions in conjunction with physiotherapy, chiropractic, and massage.
What Conditions Are Treated By Acupuncture?
- Acute and Chronic Pain
- Neck Pain
- Back Pain
- Sciatica
- Shoulder Pain
- Jaw Joint Pain (TMJ)
- Headaches & Migraines
- Nerve Pain
- Arthritis
- Joint Inflammation
- Sinusitis
- Poor Circulation
In addition to treating pain and inflammation and all conditions treated by Medical Acupuncture, a Traditional Acupuncturist usually treat:
- Anxiety
- Stress-related insomnia
- digestive issues
- IBS
- Infertility
The resources available on The College of Acupuncturists & Chinese Medicine Practitioners of Ontario are evidence-based and comprehensive.
Does inserting acupuncture needles hurt?
No, it is usually a painless treatment. The patient may feel a slight prick or tingling but no real pain is usually experienced. Occasionally slight bruising may happen. At Physiomobility, we only use disposable, single-use needles that are individually wrapped and they are discarded immediately after use.
How many acupuncture treatment is usually needed?
It all depends on the severity of the patients’ condition. People respond differently to treatments. After your assessment and establishing that acupuncture will be beneficial, your treating practitioner will discuss the expected number of sessions and what to expect from a course of acupuncture treatment. It also depends on what other treatment procedure you are receiving in combination with your acupuncture.
Does Insurance Pay for Acupuncture Treatment?
Our Registered Acupuncturist, Dr. Victor Cao, is a doctor of Chinese medicine and a registered acupuncturist. His treatments are covered by Insurance plans as Acupuncture or Registered Acupuncturist.
Medical Acupuncture and dry needling are provided as a part of our physiotherapy and chiropractic treatments. Our physiotherapists and chiropractors have extensive knowledge and training in providing acupuncture and dry needling treatments in addition to their respective clinical skills. The Medical Acupuncture treatments are usually provided as part of a physiotherapy or chiropractic treatment and are covered by Insurance Plans as Physiotherapy or chiropractic.
References
Deare JC, Zheng Z, Xue CCL, Liu JP, Shang J, Scott SW, Littlejohn G. Acupuncture for treating fibromyalgia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 5. Art. No.: CD007070. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007070.pub2
Furlan AD, van Tulder MW, Cherkin D, Tsukayama H, Lao L, Koes BW, Berman BM. Acupuncture and dry-needling for low back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD001351. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001351.pub2
Green S, Buchbinder R, Barnsley L, Hall S, White M, Smidt N, Assendelft WJJ. Acupuncture for lateral elbow pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2002, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD003527. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003527
Green S, Buchbinder R, Hetrick SE. Acupuncture for shoulder pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD005319. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005319
Linde K, Allais G, Brinkhaus B, Fei Y, Mehring M, Shin B, Vickers A, White AR. Acupuncture for the prevention of tension-type headache. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2016, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD007587. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007587.pub2
Manheimer E, Cheng K, Linde K, Lao L, Yoo J, Wieland S, van der Windt DAWM, Berman BM, Bouter LM. Acupuncture for peripheral joint osteoarthritis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews2010, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD001977. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001977.pub2.
Ning, Z. and Lao, L. (2015). Acupuncture for Pain Management in Evidence-based Medicine. Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies, 8(5), pp.270-273.
Villarreal Santiago, M., Tumilty, S., Mącznik, A. and Mani, R. (2016). Does Acupuncture Alter Pain-related Functional Connectivity of the Central Nervous System? A Systematic Review. Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies, 9(4), pp.167-177.
