Acupuncture
Introduction
Contemporary Medical Acupuncture is a goal-oriented therapy based on evaluation and diagnosis of a patient’s neurological and musculoskeletal function. Medical acupuncture involves the insertion of thin, sterile needles into points on the body to affect muscles, nerves, vessels and hormones for the treatment of a variety of conditions, including sports injury. Electro acupuncture involves connecting these needles to a safe electrical current. Together with evidence-based chiropractic, registered massage therapy, ART or Active Release Technique, RE:FORM Body Clinic in the Byward Market offer medical acupuncture as part of a suite of holistic health care services accessible to both Ottawa and Gatineau patients.
How does it work?
Needles are placed in the body close to nerves and nerve receptors to alter nerve and vascular flow and muscle tone. The needles aid in normalizing the local and central nervous system to improve overall function and performance. Stimulation by the needles also functions as a natural analgesic, decreasing pain. A small electrical device may be attached to one or more of the needles to aid in treatment and improve the effectiveness of the procedure.
Conditions Medical Acupuncture May Benefit:
- Muscle strains
- Muscle trigger points
- Nerve injuries
- Healing of scar tissue
- Headaches
- Sciatica
- Osteoarthritis
- Stress and anxiety
- Low back and neck pain
- Tennis elbow/golfer’s elbow
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Rotator cuff tendonopathies
- Digestive disorders
Causes:
- Stress and anxiety
- Accidents and injuries
- Repetitive actions and movements
- Scar tissue or poor healing
- Resultant nerve, vascular, or hormonal dysfunction.
Benefits:
- Reduces pain locally and throughout the body
- Myofascial trigger point relaxation
- Improves tissue healing
- Improves nerve function
- Improves mood and reduces stress
Sample Treatment:
What you can expect
A full history and physical examination will be performed to identify nerve, muscle and/or joint dysfunction.
The diagnosis and proposed treatment plan will be explained.
At your first visit a small number of needles will be inserted into the appropriate structures using a painless insertion method. Only single use, sterile needles are used. The needles may or may not be connected to a stimulation unit that provides the needles with electrical impulses. This electro acupuncture is used to help stimulate nerve conduction and is quite comfortable.
The needles will be left in for 10-20 minutes.
Treatment plans vary depending on the condition; on average 6-8 treatments are performed.
What should I wear?
You should wear or bring with you clothing that allows access to the problem area, such as running shorts for a hamstring injury, or a tank top for a shoulder injury. Patients may also be gowned for easier access to acupuncture points on the back.
Adverse effects:
Adverse effects are rare. Mild drowsiness, lightheadedness and/or a sense of euphoria may occur during or after the treatment. Light bruising or an increase in pain at the area of complaint can occur. Infection and serious adverse effects are extremely rare.
Relief expected:
Each treatment plan will be specific to the patient’s condition. Relief can take up to 12 treatments for chronic conditions, but is often found after 6-8 treatments. Treatments may be performed 2-3 times per week or once a week, depending on the severity of the condition.
Background/History/Interesting statistics and facts:
The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes acupuncture as a legitimate form of therapy for certain conditions.
The WHO maintains guidelines for training and safety of acupuncture.
The McMaster Contemporary Acupuncture for Health Professionals program has been approved by the College of Family Physicians of Canada as meeting the accreditation criteria.
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