Acupuncture is safe and effective and is frequently used as an alternative to medications or even surgery. Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine needles through the skin and tissues at specific points on the body. There is no injection of any substance and the treatment itself causes minimal discomfort.

How does acupuncture work?

Acupuncture works on three different levels:

1.  Promote relaxation of tight muscles. Tight muscles
cause strain on the body's mechanics and place nerves in a hypersensitive state, causing amplification of pain. Acupuncture relaxes tight muscles, reducing the strain on the attached joints, and easing the nerve irritation.

2.  Blood flow control to the injury site. Controlling blood
flow to an injured site can minimize the extent of the
inflammation and also promote healing with the delivery of necessary nutrients to the injured area.

3.  Release of the body's natural pain killers. It has been
discovered that pain opiates called endorphins are released with acupuncture. These natural chemicals circulate throughout the body and assist in relieving pain and promote rapid healing. Rather than providing only symptomatic relief, acupuncture goes to the root of the problem by providing a physical input, which allows the very cause of some chronic pain syndromes to be treated.

Acupuncture is an effective means of addressing issues such as;

Back Pains

Headaches

Plantar Fasciitis

Muscle strains

Irritable bowel

Carpal tunnel

Insomnia & low energy

Allergies & sinus problems

Ankle, knee, hip, shoulder and elbow pain

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a therapeutic method used to encourage natural healing, reduce or relieve pain and improve function of affected areas of the body. Acupuncture is safe and effective and is often successfully used as an alternative to medications or even surgery.

Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine needles through the skin and tissues at specific points on the body. There is no injection of any substance and the treatment itself causes minimal discomfort.
"Classical" acupuncture was developed in China as a system of diagnosing and treating pain and disease. Although proven successful for hundreds of years without the benefit of modern medical knowledge, it is only in recent years that the scientific and medical communities have begun to study acupuncture to understand and explain its effectiveness.
 

"Anatomical" acupuncture refers to a more modern approach taken today by the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada(AFC). When combined with anatomy, physiology & pathophysiology, therapists can use acupuncture with a greater understanding and effectiveness.

How is Acupuncture used today?

Acupuncture is very effective in treating a variety of painful disorders, both acute and chronic. The World Health Organization has identified the benefits of acupuncture in the treatment of a wide range of medical problems including:

• Digestive disorders: gastritis, hyperacidity, spastic bowel, constipation, diarrhea.

• Respiratory disorders: sinusitis, bronchitis, asthma

• Neurological & muscular disorders: headaches, neck and back pain, neuralgia, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, tendonitis, sciatica, arthritis

• Urinary, menstrual & reproductive disorders

• Addictions, insomnia