FAQ Acupuncture

In Traditional Chinese Medical theory, acupuncture works by restoring balance to the meridian channel system; draining stagnation and blockage in areas where too much Qi is accumulated, and boosting and tonifying areas of insufficient flow. The goal is to have a smooth flow of qi and good reservoirs of blood, yin, and essence. From a scientific perspective there have been tests done where patients had blood taken before and after Acupuncture. What they found is that Acupuncture boosts the immune system (it raises levels of specific hormones, prostaglandins, white blood counts, gamma globulins, and overall anti-body levels). It also stimulates the [...]

Likely not, but this also depends on the reason you’re receiving treatment in the first place. For short-term issues, a handful of acupuncture treatments could do the job. For chronic or longstanding issues, a “maintenance schedule” would be set up in order to ensure that your body’s systems are running smoothly and steadily after the initial period of relief and change. Acupuncture is also a great preventative health measure. Remember, increased blood flow means your body is better able to heal itself, and will increase your immune system response—helping you better fight off and prevent disease.

Usually when you first come in for Acupuncture, treatments are done on a weekly basis, usually once, and sometimes twice or three times per week depending on your specific care plan and progression towards healing. Once the condition has been controlled and you are symptom-free, the treatments are done less frequently. Problems that have been around for a long time usually take more treatments to resolve than ones that have appeared more recently. Your treatment course will be determined after the first visit and reassessed after each session.

At AcuCare, the focus is to treat the reason behind why the symptoms exist, and not JUST the symptoms. We aim to both relieve pain and support the body’s ability to heal itself. From an acupuncturist’s point of view, there’s no separation between pain relief and healing—pain is reduced because there is healing. The two are inextricably entwined. The needles are just simple, sterile, unaltered filiform needles. They don’t use any pain-numbing agents, but rather reduce pain by promoting movement of blood and bodily fluids, relaxing tissues and the nervous system in general.

This is the most common question asked about Chinese acupuncture, since many people associate needles with pain. Acupuncture needles are a similar thickness to a dog’s whisker and are virtually painless when inserted. The practitioner will insert the needle to the appropriate depth. You will then usually feel a very unique sensation that can vary from tingling, to heaviness, to warmth, or even nothing at all. Each person’s experience is different. Should you experience any discomfort, it is important to let us know, so we can adjust the needles accordingly. All needles are sterilized and disposable. [...]

Typically, the first acupuncture visit involves a comprehensive health history assessment. You will bring in your consultation form you were emailed, or feel free to download it from the webpage. Questions we might ask may seem strange, but in Traditional Chinese Medicine we need to look at the entire system, including the emotions, to diagnose what the root imbalances are in the system. For example, we may ask to examine your tongue, feel your pulse to help determine energy flow, or ask many questions related to bowel habits and diet, even if these seem to have nothing to do with the [...]