Our team of trained and certified acupuncturists at Physiomobility will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that addresses your specific health concerns. 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 Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a form of therapy that includes very thin needles being inserted into specific points of the body. These spots are known as acupuncture points or ‘acupoints’. There are hundreds of acupuncture points located around the body and they are grouped based on their location and function. Needling the acupuncture points stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the brain and muscles. This releases hormones and neuropeptides to create the body’s natural healing response, while boosting emotional well-being. The intention of the treatment is to control pain, promote healing and normalize function. It can be utilized for a variety of conditions that support your overall health and wellness. Acupuncture may also act as a preventative treatment for many conditions and may be used in conjunction with other therapies.
Acupuncture should only be administered by a trained professional. The applications of needles are generally painless and leave very little bruising at the most. A patient may feel a small sting as the needle is inserted between a quarter of an inch to half an inch deep in the skin. At Physiomobility, we use single-use needles that are disposed of immediately after use. Treatment sessions last between 30 minutes to an hour. The number of sessions and duration depends primarily on the individual’s condition and how they respond to it.
How Does Acupuncture Improve overall health?
Acupuncture reduces Stress, Anxiety and Depression. Acupuncture works by modulating the central monoaminergic system, neuroimmune systems along with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. These systems are responsible for stimulation of neurotransmitters, release of endorphins and immune responses throughout the body. They work in conjunction to improve mood and alleviate debilitating symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Acupuncture reduces Pain and Inflammatory Conditions
One of the most common uses of acupuncture to support your overall health and has been used for centuries. Acupuncture has shown to be effective in treatment of low back pain, arthritis, headaches and migraines, neck pain, nerve pain and joint inflammation. This is accomplished by reduced pain sensations, improved blood circulation, endorphin release and an immune response to facilitate pain control and promotes a healing response.
Acupuncture may Improve fertility in men and women
Depending on what the underlying reason for infertility is. For women, acupuncture has shown to achieve this through regulation of the endocrine system. Balancing of these hormones can help regulate menstrual cycles which are essential for ovulation and improve the chances of conceiving a child. In addition, improved blood flow to the ovaries, uterus and other reproductive organs facilitates its function and enhances the chance of implantation. For men, acupuncture can increase blood flow to the reproductive organs which improves kidney function and testicular function. Acupuncture can help release hormones such as luteinizing hormone and testosterone which is essential for sexual ability and sperm production. Lastly, acupuncture’s reduction of stress and anxiety help to regulate hormonal balance and boost overall chances of conception in both genders.
Acupuncture Improves Sleep
Acupuncture can stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system. This works to reduce our heart rate, lower blood pressure, slows our breathing which creates a relaxing effect on the body. This positively impacts your ability to get to sleep along with improving the quality and quantity of your sleep. In addition, it can help treat sleep related disorders such as insomnia. Certain acupoints can help stimulate the release of serotonin and melatonin which helps regulate the body’s sleep pattern. Insomnia is also a result of stress and anxiety which acupuncture can also reduce.
Acupuncture can Improve Digestive Issues
Acupuncture improves digestive issues by stimulating the release of endorphins and serotonin. This reduces inflammation, pain and improves overall gut function. In addition, the treatment can optimize to regulate the muscles of the digestive tract. This results in improved motility and reduces the prevalence of conditions such as diarrhea and constipation. Acupuncture also can help treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). It works by stimulating and balancing the parasympathetic nervous system which is responsible for facilitating digestion and regulating the muscles of the gut.
Nevertheless, acupuncture is a non-drug option that can help patients avoid the use of potentially harmful medications, especially opiates with their serious risk of substance use disorder. Considering the low risk, the cost-effectiveness, and relative pain-less treatment, acupuncture is commonly used to treat many pain conditions in conjunction with other therapies. To inquire about acupuncture and its potential effectiveness for you, please contact Physiomobility at 416-444-4800 or email reception@physiomobility.ca.
References:
Zhu, J., Arsovska, B., & Kozovska, K. (2018, September 19). Acupuncture treatment for fertility. Open access Macedonian journal of medical sciences. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6182526/
Smith, CA. (2018, March 4). Acupuncture for depression. https://www.cochrane.org/CD004046/DEPRESSN_acupuncture-depression
Helene Langevin, M. D., & Carolyn A. Bernstein, M. D. (2018, January 25). Acupuncture for headache. Harvard Health. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/acupuncture-for-headache-2018012513146
Cao, H., Pan, X., Li, H., & Liu, J. (2009, November 15). Acupuncture for treatment of insomnia: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3156618/
Chao, G.-Q., & Zhang, S. (2014, February 21). Effectiveness of acupuncture to treat irritable bowel syndrome: A meta-analysis. World journal of gastroenterology. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3930986/
Written by Sagar Dama, BSc Kinesiology
