Location: Motion Matters Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic, 170 Laurier Ave. W.
WHAT IS IT?
Acupuncture is a stimulation therapy that involves inserting very fine needles into specific points in the body. It is an ancient Chinese remedy that encourages natural healing and pain relief by promoting harmony within the body.
The Chinese medicine approach to acupuncture includes concept such as Yin and Yang, the five elements and recognizes 365 points precisely situated along meridians.
Western medical practitioners have developed the Anatomical approach to acupuncture by combining traditional Chinese concepts with Western medicine. To assure acupuncture’s safety and to transform Western skeptics, much research was done on the physiological effects of acupuncture (e.g., released of endorphins, serotonin, and cortisol). This approach recognizes over 2000 possible points and developed the concept of IMS (intra-muscular stimulation).
HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE WORK?
Traditional Chinese Medicine followers will describe that acupuncture works by simply “unblocking” trapped energy (Chi), thus allowing the balance to return to its balanced state.
The Western Anatomical Approach followers will describe that acupuncture promotes blood flow to the treatment areasb, releases endorphins and enkephalins, triggers the Gate Control of pain, and stimulates the hypothalamus and pituitary glands.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING AN ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT
- A typical treatment requires the insertion of 2 to 15 needles, lasting about 15 to 30 minutes.
- Disposable needles are made of stainless steel.
- People experience different sensations during treatment but acupuncture generally produces relatively little pain.
- The depth to which a needle penetrates depends on the selected acupuncture point and the dept of underlying tissues being treated (i.e. varies from less than 0.5mm to 75mm).
ARE THERE ANY OTHER TREATMENT METHODS THAT PROVIDE THE BENEFITS OF ACUPUNCTURE WITHOUT USING NEEDLING?
Motion Matters offers several treatment options for you to choose from such as Laser therapy, electrotherapy (Codetron, TENS) and/or manual acupressure / trigger point therapy.
These therapeutic options are suited for sensitive patients, children, those that fear needles and body areas for which classical acupuncture does not recommend the use of needles. Also, the above treatment options can be administered by physiotherapist not trained in needling techniques.