What is Acupuncture? Acupuncturist in Okotoks
Acupuncture is an ancient medical system originating more than 5000
years ago. This treatment consists of the process of inserting ultra-thin
needles, comparable in size to two strands of human hair, into the skin.
Generally, the insertion is painless. Once the needles are placed, the
body undergoes its own healing processes. After the needles are inserted
into the acupuncture points, a cascade of mechanisms in the body begins
by signaling the central nervous system (your brain and spinal cord) to
release anti-inflammatory agents, hormones, endorphins (the body's
natural pain killers,) boosting immunity and increasing blood circulation.
Essentially, acupuncture and Chinese medicine is a holistic approach to
the treatment of a wide variety of illnesses, from pain to internal
disorders.Dry needling works by increasing blood supply to the tissue in much the same way as massage. The needle is much finer and more accurate than a thumb so it can be a very precise and powerful technique.
The technique is different from acupuncture in that it is based on western anatomy and medicine and not Chinese medicine. It is based purely on musculoskeletal conditions and won’t be used for treating other conditions as acupuncture can be.
Often pain relief is experienced within the first few treatments while chronic, long standing internal conditions may take five or more treatments to see optimal results. There are no drugs in the acupuncture needles when providing pain relief. The relief you feel is the body’s natural healing response due to stimulation of the acupuncture points in the nervous system regulating pain and recovery.
WHAT DOES ACUPUNCTURE TREAT?
- Back or Neck Pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Headache and Migraine
- Myofascial Pain Syndrome
- Sciatica
- Postoperative Pain
- Cancer Pain
- More…
visit NIH (National Institute of Health) to view a list of conditions treatable with acupuncture according to the
Fire cupping
Cupping is used to release Qi and blood stasis from the meridians and surrounding tissue. If done properly, cupping can be an invigorating deep tissue massage and often, the benefits last longer than a standard massage session. The technique is performed by a therapist, who creates suction with glass cups using fire. Once cupping is finished, there will be varying degree of color over the tissues ranging from pink, red, to red, purple, and dark purple. Depending on the severity of the tissue, duration of discoloration can range from 3-10 days. Once the color has disappeared, the tissue can then be cupped again. You will notice a decrease in discoloration after multiple sessions.
ARE THE CUPPING MARKS SAME AS BRUISING?
Bruising is caused by impact trauma, resulting in the breakage of capillaries and a reactionary rush of fluids to the damaged location. Correctly applied cupping does not compress the tissues. The discoloration seen after a cupping session indicates the restoration of blood flow to the tissue that was previously experiencing sluggish blood circulation. It is a local build-up of your body’s waste products, such as dead, static blood, lymph, cellular debris, and toxins.
BENEFITS OF CUPPING
- The release of toxins such as calcium deposits and cellular debris.
- Veins, arteries, and capillaries are cleared out.
- Increase blood circulation.
- Reduce pain and softened muscle tissue.
- Releases tissue adhesion, increasing flexibility.
- Reduce inflammation.
- Helps Relieve mucus congestion in the lungs from respiratory conditions.
Auricular therapy
It is a type of acupuncture that involves sticking needles or acupontoscopes at specific points in the outer ear in order to manage certain physical, mental or emotional conditions. It’sbelieved that there are over 200 acupuncture points on the outer ear, with each named after a particular area of the human anatomy. When the acupuncture point is touched, ittriggers an electrical impulse from the ear via the brain to the part of the body being treated.
Chinese Herbs
Chinese herbal medicine has an uninterrupted history of development in China dating back thousands of years. It is used to treat both acute and chronic conditions, including respiratory disease, skin problems, stress and depression, back pain, post-stroke symptoms, migraine, gynaecological problems, fertility, etc. It is often used in conjunction with acupuncture.
Do I need a doctor's referral to book an appointment?
A referral from a doctor is no longer needed before seeing a physiotherapist. You may be asked by your insurance company to get a referral before seeing a physiotherapist, but it is not common. People are usually able to schedule an appointment directly with the physiotherapist.
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