What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an ancient healing art which many believe dates back to 407-310 B.C. It is a therapeutic method which uses the insertion of fine needles into specific points in the body to control pain and stimulate healing. Modern research has proven that the body responds to the needle by producing its own natural substances such as endorphins, which control pain, reduce inflammation and promote healing. Since these substances are produced by your own body the side-effects are minimal when compared to using prescription drugs.
According to ancient theory, acupuncture allows Qi (energy) to flow to areas where it is deficient and away from where it is in excess. In this way, acupuncture regulates and restores the harmonious energetic balance of the body. In Chinese there is a saying, “if there is pain, there is no free flow:” This refers to the lack of energy flow, known as absent or reduced qi.
What problems can be treated by acupuncture?
Commonly Treated Conditions Include:
- Sciatica
- Migraines
- Jaw and Facial Pain
- Neck/Back Pain
- Shoulder Injuries
- Tennis Elbow
- Shoulder Injuries
In addition, the World Health Organization has recognized that acupuncture benefits over thirty conditions which include:
- Ear, Nose, and Throat Disorders- toothaches, facial pain , ear-aches, deafness, sinusitis, rhinitis or nasal dryness.
- Respiratory Disorders – Chronic and acute asthma in children or adults, allergies
- Gastrointestinal Disorders – Digestive tract problems, hiccups, abdominal pain and bloating, ulcers, constipation, diarrhea, dysenteric disorders
- Eye Disorders – Conjunctivitis, cataracts, inflammation of the central retina, near sightedness (in children).
- Nervous System and Muscular Disorders, Headaches, migraines, trigeminal neuralgia, facial paralysis, weakness after a stroke, neuropathies, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, sciatica, low back pain, knee pain, and osteoarthritis.
How many acupuncture treatments will I need?
Patients often experience the most dramatic results in the first treatment. However treatment depends upon the duration, severity, and nature of your complaint. You may need only a single treatment for an acute condition or a series of five to fifteen treatments to resolve a chronic problem. Some degenerative conditions may require many treatments over time. Acupuncture combined with Herbs and a balanced diet and lifestyle help one to live a long productive and healthy life.
Does Acupuncture hurt?
No, not really. The needles are too fine and smooth to be felt. Some people describe the feeling as a minimal discomfort. If your practitioner has obtained the correct stimulus of the needle, the patient should feel some cramping, heaviness, distention, tingling, or electric sensation either around the needle or traveling up or down the affected meridian, or energy pathway.
In any case, if you experience any discomfort, it is usually mild. However, due to the fact that the sensation of pain remains quite subjective, there are a lot of treatment options out there to consider as alternatives, including Moxibustion, Cupping, Tui-Na, Qi Gong, Magnetic Acupressure and Laser Acupuncture, where there is absolutely no pain or risk of infection.
What if I’m afraid of needles?
Low power laser and low frequency electrical current can be used to stimulate appropriate points.
Is it Safe? How deep do the needles go?
Yes, very safe. Needle insertion depends upon the nature of the problem, the location of the points selected, the patient’s size, age, and constitution, and upon the acupuncturist’s style or school.
Usually, needles are inserted from 1/4 to 1 inch in depth. Acupuncture needles are very, very thin and flexible. Nerves, blood, and lymph vessels are elastic and quite easily move out the way. A professional health care provider only uses sterilized, individually packaged, disposable needles. The skin is swabbed with alcohol to prevent infection. This eliminates the possibility of transmitting a communicable disease by a contaminated needle. You may also prefer to use LASER ACUPUNCTURE as an alternative. If you have any questions about this, please call us or email us.
CONGRATULATIONS TO TOM KIROPLIS!
Acupuncture Regulation in Ontario – Section 5 of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Act, 2006 came into force on April 1, 2013 and Tom is one of the first practitioners to get fully licensed under this law
The new College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario (CTCMPAO) has now been formed and is fully operational as of April 1st.
The CTCMPAO has been created to regulate the newly created professions of TCM Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario. As a professional College, the CTCMPAO has NO JURISDICTION OR LEGAL POWER over any other professionals practicing acupuncture, only over their own members.
The Transitional Council of the CTCMPAO is offering a grandfathering path for the regulation of existing TCM Practitioners and for Acupuncture Practitioners (also TCM based practice). This grandfathering path is exclusive to TCM based practitioners who comply with a number of specific requirements before and for several years after applying for regulation under this option. For example, both a safety and jurisprudence exam must be successfully completed. Our certified acupuncture, Tom Kiroplis, who has over 15 years experience both practicing and teaching acupuncture and TCM, completed all the necessary requirements.
Full information about acupuncture and TCM regulation in Ontario can be found on the new website or the CTCMPAO: