Acupuncture
Acupuncture
Acupuncture
Acupuncture
Acupuncture
How does acupuncture work?
While traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes the important role acupuncture plays in restoring the body’s balance and natural energy or chi, many patients are interested in a more scientific explanation. Research indicates that acupuncture needling impacts adenosine, an amino acid that is activated in the skin following an injury to alleviate pain. As a result, when needles, heat, and pressure are applied to affected areas of the body, it has a pain-relieving effect. There is also substantial evidence that demonstrates acupuncture releases opioid peptides, which help to mitigate pain. Acupuncture is also believed to stimulate both the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus, which changes the secretion of neurotransmitters and neurohormones.
What are the benefits of Toronto acupuncture?
Acupuncture has a wide range of uses and benefits. It is utilized to diagnose, treat, and prevent disease, while also enhancing the overall health of patients due to its ability to improve digestion, mental clarity, and sleep. Patients also report increased energy and stress relief. Experiencing chronic pain can be exhausting and many of our patients know that this continual discomfort and frustration also increases stress levels. Many patients see their acupuncturist frequently in order to maintain their general health and sense of well being. Although this treatment involves inserting thin needles into several areas of the body, our patients find the experience to be incredibly gentle and relaxing and the needles are so fine and shallowly inserted that the treatment is considered to be non-invasive.
Who can benefit from Toronto acupuncture?
Acupuncture does not interfere with pharmacological treatments and can be used in combination with various other therapies.
Since acupuncture’s primary goal is to restore the body’s balance and energy, it has a number of different applications including emotional disorders, digestive concerns, gynecologic disorders, pain syndromes, neurological problems, and respiratory conditions. In addition, it is frequently recommended as a rehabilitation strategy and can be used to combat addictions.
The following conditions and symptoms may respond positively to acupuncture:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Migraines
- Pain syndromes caused by injury
- Parkinson’s disease
- Sciatica
- Tendonitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Stroke rehabilitation
- Sinusitis
- Asthma
- Gynecologic disorders
- Infertility
- Menstrual pain
- Menopause
- Fatigue/Insomnia
- Snoring
- Sleep apnea
- Restless leg syndrome
- Addictions
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Osteoarthritis/knee pain
- Dental pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Pain, fatigue, and nausea caused by chemotherapy treatments
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Tension headaches
- Temporomadibular joint disorder (TMD)
What happens when you visit a Toronto acupuncturist?
During your first visit, your acupuncturist will complete a comprehensive health examination.
Since TCM is dedicated to restoring the body’s energy flow, acupuncturists take into account your whole body and medical history when diagnosing and treating physical disease. Thus, your acupuncturist may feel your pulse, examine your tongue, and ask you a series of questions regarding things like your diet and bowel habits, for example, which may not seem directly connected to your problem area.
Following your consultation, the acupuncture needles will be placed in a series of locations, specifically selected to treat your particular concern. When inserted, you may feel a brief prick or stinging sensation, but most patients describe the feeling as very tolerable and often report that they do not feel many of the insertions. Depending on your needs, your practitioner may carefully manipulate the acupuncture needles or use heat or electricity. You may experience a deep ache in some locations, however, this sensation will not last long. In most cases, the needles are left in place for 5 to 20 minutes, but in some instances they may be in place for up to 60 minutes before being removed.
Afterwards, your acupuncturist will reassess you and provide you with aftercare tips such as supplemental Chinese herbs, which can support the energy balance achieved during acupuncture. Patients who are experiencing acute symptoms often only require two to four treatments, while patients with chronic symptoms typically need a minimum of twelve treatments spaced out over 8-10 weeks. Monthly visits may be recommended to manage stress and boost your energy and immunity.
Acupuncture for Chronic Pain
Although it is important to first undergo an assessment to diagnose the source of your pain and rule out any serious underlying medical conditions, acupuncture can be an effective treatment option for patients who suffer from chronic pain, defined as pain that persists for three or more months. Acupuncture works to alleviate chronic pain by triggering the body’s self-healing mechanism and decreasing stress associated with discomfort. Chronic pain can be devastating for the affected individual, as it impacts their ability to work, complete daily tasks, participate in activities that they enjoy, and remain physically active. As a result, it often has a detrimental impact on a patient’s personal and professional success. Luckily, a series of acupuncture treatments can greatly improve a patient’s quality of life by helping to manage their pain, enabling them to live comfortably.
To learn more and to determine whether acupuncture could be helpful for you, we invite you to contact our clinic today to schedule a complimentary consultation.
Go Painless
Our team at Painless Medicine and Therapeutics focuses on improving our patient’s pain conditions.
Our goal and philosophy is to make the patient’s therapeutic experience as painless as possible by finding a therapeutic plan that best treats their symptoms and lifestyle. We truly believe in collaboration and working closely with patients so that they have control over their medication, and so that the treatment aligns with our clinic’s values.
In cases where chronic pain cannot be cured, but instead must be effectively managed, our team’s purpose is to limit the complications and to minimize the severity of the symptoms experienced by the patient. We wish to optimize our patients’ control over their pain so they feel enabled to be the best possible version of themselves and enjoy life again.
If you are suffering from a chronic pain condition, we highly suggest that you visit our clinic in Toronto to see what we can do for you.
