FAQ

ACUPUNCTURE

So, what is acupuncture anyway?
- Acupuncture has been curing illness and injury for thousands of years. Traditional Chinese acupuncture uses very small, solid, sterile needles inserted into specific points on the body to activate natural healing energy. Traditional Chinese Medicine holds that there are almost 400 points on the body, arranged on 14 commonly used meridians or channels where energy flows.
Okay, but how does acupuncture actually work?
- By balancing the flow of energy or “qi”(pronounced: “chee”) through the gentle insertion of small needles in acupuncture points on the body, an acupuncturist can help restore health to the mind and body, balancing yin and yang. Western medicine holds that acupuncture helps the body heal from the deepest level of the parasympathetic system; that’s the place your body goes to rest, relax and rejuvenate.
But, is acupuncture safe?
- Practiced by highly-trained registered acupuncturists and using single-use sterile needles, acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment recognized by Canadian hospitals and clinics and respected by extended health insurance companies.
And, does acupuncture hurt?
- Other than a mild pricking sensation, once needles are inserted the treatment is often painless. Every patient experience is unique. Some patients mention deep relaxation, peace and sometimes euphoria. There is often a slight sensation of pressure at the needle site, sometimes a tingling or unusual feeling. If the sensations become uncomfortable, please be sure to mention the sensation to your acupuncturist.
I’ve heard of dry needling. What is that?
- Sometimes used by physiotherapists, chiropractors, and massage therapists, dry needling is a technique that only targets specific muscle trigger points to release tension and pain. This technique isn’t based on Traditional Chinese Medicine practiced at Vitality Acupuncture.
So, what conditions can acupuncture treat?
- Although we know this list to be more extensive, in 1979 the World Health Organization (WHO) published a list of common conditions that are proven to respond to acupuncture:
  - mental-emotional conditions (stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia);
  - neurological and musculoskeletal conditions (headache, migraine, TMJ trigeminal neuralgia, facial palsy, Bell’s palsy, post-stroke interventions, neuralgia and neuropathies, Meniere’s disease, bedwetting, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, sciatica, low back pain, osteoarthritis, inflammation);
  - gastro-intestinal disorders (constipation, diarrhea, esophageal spasm, gastritis, hyperacidity, ulcers, colitis);
  - conditions affecting the respiratory tract (acute sinusitis and rhinitis, common cold, acute tonsillitis, acute bronchitis and bronchial asthma);
  - disorders of the eyes and mouth (acute conjunctivitis, retinitis, myopia, uncomplicated cataracts, toothache, gingivitis and pharyngitis).
- Additionally, current science adds to that list:
  - Infertility and sexual dysfunction for both women and men
  - Breech-baby position, morning sickness and labour induction
  - Perimenopause and menopause challenges
  - Chronic and acute pain
  - Blood pressure problems
  - Allergies
  - Rheumatoid arthritis
- Are there other techniques that my acupuncturist might use during my treatment?
  - Your acupuncturist is trained in complementary modalities that can enhance the acupuncture treatment that you receive. You may experience moxa, gua sha, cupping or tuina.
    - Moxa: used to stimulate the flow of qi, strengthen the blood and support acute injury, moxa (or, more formally “moxibustion”) is a form of heat therapy in which mugwort (a common herb) is burned on or near the skin.
    - Gua sha: is a technique in which a smooth-edged tool is pressed and stroked in a linear movement on the body until a mark appears, to raise “sha”. Raising sha addresses areas of stagnation, reduces inflammation and improves circulation.
    - Cupping: a therapy that uses suction (created by vacuum or fire) to draw the surface layers of the skin and muscle into a cup (glass or plastic) to treat acute or chronic pain, respiratory conditions and musculoskeletal problems. You may remember the online buzz around Michael Phelps (US Olympic Medalist, Swimmer) who along with other Olympic competitors, used cupping as a treatment for muscle soreness during the ’16 Olympics.
    - Tuina: a form of Chinese massage based in acupuncture theory, tuina helps promote blood circulation and qi movement.
  - Is acupressure the same as acupuncture?
    - Acupressure is a technique that applies pressure to acupuncture points.
  - I’ve heard that acupuncture is great for women’s health, but what about men?
    - Men often see an acupuncturist for back pain, sports injuries, stress and digestion issues.
  - My bff swears that acupuncture made her trip through “change-of-life” bearable, is that true?
    - Acupuncture has gained repect for the ability to manage the symptoms of aging through support of the systems of the body that are responsible for maintaining equilibrium and stress.

COSMETIC ACUPUNCTURE

Why should I consider cosmetic acupuncture?
- Cosmetic acupuncture is considered an alternative to other more invasive anti-aging methods. Cosmetic acupuncture can reduce the appearance of lines, wrinkles, discolouration and sagginess, by applying TCM theory and acupuncture points to establish a treatment plan that is unique to every individual. This plan will include acupuncture treatment for both the face and the body to address all aspects of health & wellness.
I’m considering botox, how is that different from cosmetic acupuncture?
- Botox uses an injection of toxin into the underlying muscles of the face to immobilize the muscles for a period of time, and carries a risk of side-effects and unintended transmission within the body. Cosmetic acupuncture uses very small solid sterile needles to encourage the production of collagen in the underlying skin. A complete cosmetic acupuncture treatment also includes a constitutional (or body) treatment that addresses any contributing factors in the general health of the individual, without side-effects.
Is cosmetic acupuncture only for women?
- Actually, it’s not – men as well as women are increasingly concerned with their appearance. Cosmetic acupuncture is simply another tool to help manage our facial health.
What is facial rejuvenation?
- A term used to describe cosmetic acupuncture and qi beauty treatments, and the process by which we feel and look younger.
What is “Qi Beauty”?
- Created by an esthetician and an acupuncturist, Qi (“Chee”) Beauty uses gold-plated magnets applied on the face to encourage the realignment of cells to allow nutrients to flow to the surface of the skin and to allow wastes to be eliminated by the body. Each treatment is unique to every individual, male or female, and treats a wide variety of conditions, including wrinkles, discolouration, acne, eczema and lip lines.

STRESS, ANXIETY & DEPRESSION

How can acupuncture help manage my stress?
- Acupuncture treatments help the body achieve a deep level of relaxation that enables the body to heal. A stress-reduction treatment will also help your body retreat from the “fight-or-flight” response that can increase the feelings of stress.
My stress often causes headaches. Can acupuncture help ease my headache?
- Yes, often you will be able to leave an acupuncture treatment with less headache pain.
I suffer from anxiety, can acupuncture ease my symptoms?
- Yes, sufferers of anxiety have many different symptoms, and acupuncture is an effective treatment to help ease these symptoms.
I’ve been diagnosed with depression, can acupuncture assist my recovery?
- The WHO (World Health Organization) identified that acupuncture is an effective treatment for depression. Please know that conversations with your acupuncturist are confidential, and in all cases they are respectful. Health and wellness are the focus of your care.

PAIN

I’m in a lot of pain, should I wait until I’m pain-free to come for my appointment?
- No, come to your acupuncture appointment. Tell your acupuncturist about the pain. Most times, you’ll be able to leave your appointment in significantly less pain.
How can acupuncture help me manage my pain?
- TCM recognizes that pain is a manifestation of the energy of the body (the qi) being blocked. Acupuncture helps qi move in the meridians and channels of the body, eliminating pain as the energy begins to move again.
I suffer from headaches.
- Acupuncture is a very effective method of treating headaches.
And sometimes migraines.
- Migraines respond well to a series of acupuncture treatments.
Can acupuncture help me recover from chemotherapy, radiation therapy and cancer treatments?
- Acupuncture can help the body to heal more effectively and quickly, and will mitigate the symptoms of nausea and neuropathic pain that can be side-effects of cancer treatments.
I’ve just had surgery, what about post-operative pain?
- When you’re able to get “up and about” consider booking an acupuncture treatment. Advocated for many years by the American National Institutes of Health, acupuncture is effective in managing the post-surgery side-effects, including pain, nausea and vomiting.
I’m just feeling a little “off”, “just not quite myself”, is that something that acupuncture can treat?
- Acupuncture is very good at treating conditions that don’t fit into clearly defined diseases. Acupuncture takes the systems of the entire body into consideration when designing an unique treatment plan for each individual.
I suffer from chronic back pain, is acupuncture an option?
- Recently cited by the American Medical Association as a first-choice alternative to treatment of back pain by opiods (strong pain medication), acupuncture is a very effective method to control and eliminate back pain and to help the body heal from trauma.

ADDICTIONS

I’d like to quit smoking, and I’ve heard that acupuncture helps?
- Acupuncture is a good addition to any plan to stop smoking.
Can acupuncture help me lose weight?
- Acupuncture is a support that’s effective in a weight loss program.

INSOMNIA

I have trouble sleeping. Sometimes I can’t get to sleep, or I can’t stay asleep or I wake up way too early in the morning.
- Often, insomnia is a result of an imbalance of qi (energy) due to any number of underlying issues including stress, anxiety, medications and chronic pain. Acupuncture restores the natural balance of your body and encourages your body to heal, ensuring restorative sleep.

PREGNANCY

Can acupuncture support my journey to becoming pregnant?
- Yes! If you are in the initial stages of considering a family, have difficulty in getting pregnant or have been using birth control medications for a length of time, acupuncture is a very effective treatment to ready your body for pregnancy. Treatments focus on reducing stress, increasing blood flow to the reproductive organs and balancing the endocrine system.
My partner and I are undergoing fertility treatments, should we consider acupuncture?
- Many couples use acupuncture as a support to IVF, embryo transfers and insemination. The best outcomes are often seen with acupuncture in the three to four months prior to the medical procedure, followed by supportive acupuncture through the early stages of pregnancy.
I’m pregnant, can I still have acupuncture?
- Acupuncture is safe through all stages of pregnancy. In early stages of pregnancy acupuncture helps provide increased blood flow to the uterus which nourishes the baby, and through later stages of pregnancy acupuncture helps relieve symptoms of bloating, indigestion and pain. If you are newly pregnant, please advise your acupuncturist.
Morning sickness is making my days very difficult, is acupuncture a solution?
- Acupuncture is well known for easing symptoms of nausea, vomiting and indigestion often associated with the first trimester.

SPORTS INJURIES

I guess I played a little too hard, and I’m in pain. When should I make an appointment?
- One of the best times to treat a sudden (acute) injury is in the days immediately following the injury when acupuncture is best able to help the body heal.
Can acupuncture help my repetitive injury?
- Acupuncture has been shown to be successful in treating repetitive strain injuries as well as injury from intense physical exertion. In fact, many sports teams consider acupuncture a routine part of maintaining performance and endurance.
I enjoy being very active, sometimes an injury slows me down, can this be helped?
- To get you back to what you love doing most, your acupuncturist can help. From simple muscle soreness, to sprains and strains, inflammation to tendinitis, frozen shoulder and tennis elbow, acupuncture is a proven and highly effective remedy.

YOUR TREATMENT

What should you expect during your first acupuncture treatment?
- In most cases, your first treatment will include a thorough review of your health history and a one-on-one conversation with your acupuncturist who will then develop your treatment plan for the next 4-5 appointments.
How long are acupuncture treatments?
- Allow for 50 minutes for follow-up treatments and slightly more than an hour for an initial treatment.
How many treatments will I need?
- Most acute conditions respond quite quickly, and are often resolved in 4 or 5 treatments. More complex or long-standing conditions often require a longer course of treatment. Your acupuncturist will discuss the course of treatment with you at the initial appointment and often review your progress at subsequent appointments.
Should I do anything “special” to prepare for an acupuncture treatment?
- No, simply ensure you have time to fully take advantage of your treatment.
What should I do after an acupuncture treatment?
- Enjoy a return to your day. 🙂
Is acupuncture covered by my health care plan?
- Many extended health plans cover acupuncture, we offer direct billing at the clinic.