Acupuncture services in Toronto
                     Acupuncture services in Toronto
Acupuncture is a treatment method in which very fine needles are inserted into 
the skin at strategic points on the body. Acupuncture is an important part of 
traditional Chinese medicine and is most commonly used to treat pain. It is 
increasingly used for overall health maintenance such as stress management.
Traditional Chinese medicine considers acupuncture to be a treatment that 
balances the flow of energy, or life force—that is, qi (chi or qi), which is believed 
to flow through various pathways in the body (the body's meridians).
Acupuncturists believe that inserting needles into specific points along these 
meridians can restore balance to the flow of energy.
In contrast, many Western medicine experts view acupuncture points as 
stimulating places such as nerves, muscles and connective tissue. Some believe 
this stimulation enhances the body's natural pain relief functions.
Purpose
Acupuncture is primarily used to relieve discomfort associated with a variety of 
diseases and conditions, including:
Chemotherapy-induced and postoperative nausea and vomiting.
toothache.
Fibromyalgia.
Headaches, including tension headaches and migraines. 
Labor pain.
Lower back pain. 
Neck pain.
Osteoarthritis. 
Dysmenorrhea.
Respiratory 
diseases such 
as allergic 
rhinitis.
Tennis elbow.
risk
Acupuncture is very risky when performed by a qualified, licensed practitioner 
using sterile needles. Common side effects include soreness at the insertion site, 
mild bleeding, or bruising. The use of single-use disposable needles is now 
standard of practice, so the risk of infection is minimal. Not everyone is a 
candidate for acupuncture.
Before receiving acupuncture therapy, please tell your doctor truthfully if you 
have the following conditions:
A pacemaker was installed. Acupuncture, which applies mild electrical pulses to 
needles, may interfere with the operation of a pacemaker.
Pregnant. Certain acupuncture points are thought to stimulate labor and may lead 
to premature labor.
How to prepare
No special preparation is required before acupuncture treatment.
Choose a licensed practitioner
If you're considering acupuncture, take the same steps you would when choosing 
a practitioner:
Seek advice from people you trust.
Verify the training experience and qualifications of practicing doctors. Most states 
require nonphysician acupuncture technicians to pass an examination 
administered by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and 
Oriental Medicine.
Interview with a licensed physician. Ask what the treatment involves, how much it 
might help your medical condition, and how much it will cost.
Find out if the treatment is covered by insurance.
Tell your doctor you are considering acupuncture. Your doctor may tell you about 
the success rate of acupuncture to treat your medical condition or refer you to an 
acupuncture practitioner.
possible situations 
Acupuncture
In acupuncture, an acupuncturist inserts extremely fine needles into specific 
points on the body. It usually causes mild discomfort when inserting the needle.
Technicians who perform acupuncture each have a unique style, often combining 
Eastern and Western medicine. To determine the type of acupuncture that will be 
most helpful to you, your technician may ask about your symptoms, behavior, and 
lifestyle. Might also double check:
Painful parts of the body.
Tongue shape, tongue coating and tongue color. 
face.
The strength, rhythm, and quality of the wrist 
pulse.
Acupuncture treatments can last up to 60 minutes each, but can sometimes be 
much shorter. A general treatment plan for a single complaint is usually one or 
two treatments per week. The number of treatments will depend on the 
condition being treated and its severity. Typically 6 to 8 treatments are required.
Intraoperatively
Acupuncture points are found in all areas of the human body. The appropriate 
acupuncture points are sometimes far away from your painful area. The 
acupuncture technician will tell you the approximate location of the planned 
treatment and whether any clothing needs to be removed. You will be provided
with a coverall, towel or bed sheet. You will lie on a cushioned treatment table 
and your treatment will include:
Insert the needle. Needles are inserted into acupuncture points on the body at 
different depths. The needles are very thin, so insertion usually causes little 
discomfort. Patients often do not feel the needle being inserted. A typical 
treatment requires 5 to 20 shots. You may feel a slight soreness when the needle 
is inserted to the appropriate depth.
Move the needle. After inserting the needle, the technician may gently move or 
rotate the needle, or apply heat or mild electrical pulses to the needle.
Take out the needle. In most cases, the needle will be left in the acupoint for 10 
to 15 minutes while you lie still and relax. There is usually no discomfort when the 
needle is removed.
After surgery
Some people feel relaxed after an acupuncture treatment, while others feel 
energized. However, acupuncture doesn't work for everyone. If your symptoms 
don't start to improve within a few weeks, acupuncture may not be right for you.
result
The effectiveness of acupuncture is sometimes difficult to measure, but many 
people find it helpful in relieving a variety of pain conditions.
Acupuncture has few side effects, so it may be worth a try if more traditional 
methods of pain relief aren't as effective.