Acupuncture
What is it?
Acupuncture is a method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and to improve functioning. This is done by inserting needles and applying heat or electrical stimulation at very precise acupuncture points.
Does acupuncture really work?
Yes. In the past 2,000 years, more people have been successfully treated with acupuncture than with all other health modalities combined. Today acupuncture is practiced widely in Asia, the Soviet Union, and in Europe. It is now being used more and more in North America.
Acupuncture treatments can be given at the same time other techniques are being used, such physiotherapy hands-on treatment techniques. It is important that your Health Care Provider know everything that you are doing, so he or she can help you get the most benefit from all your treatments.
How does acupuncture work?
Modern Scientific Explanation - Needling the acupuncture points stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These chemicals will either change the experience of pain, or they will trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones which influence the body's own internal regulating system.
The improved energy and biochemical balance produced by acupuncture results in stimulating the body's natural healing abilities, changes your perception of pain and promotes physical and emotional well-being.
What is Contemporary Medical Acupuncture (CMA)?
Clinicians practicing CMA have been trained to use acupuncture within their existing scope of practice. For example, a Physiotherapist can use acupuncture to treat knee pain but not to help someone with smoking cessation because a Physiotherapist wouldn't normally treat that problem. Physiotherapists, Massage Therapists and Chiropractors can use their knowledge of anatomy, physiology and clinical reasoning to treat a patient using acupuncture as a modality like ultrasound or heat.
What is Traditional Chinese Acupuncture?
This form of medicine is thousands of years old and rooted in ancient and modern Chinese medical practices to restore health. During a session, various points along specific meridians may be stimulated using fine needles (acupuncture) or fingertip pressure (acupressure) to rebalance your health.
What is the scope of acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a pracitce which can influence three areas of health care: promotion of health and well-being, prevention of illness, treatment of various medical conditions.
What are the qualifications of the person practicing Acupuncture?
At IHC, the clinicians practicing Acupuncture are all Certified and rostered with their respective regulatory Colleges. They are also members of their respective regulatory Colleges.
