What is a treatment like?

During the initial intake session you will be asked about your health, your symptoms, and your goals. This initial conversation is one of the most important parts of your treatment as it gives us a wholistic picture of your present health. Further into our diagnosis we observe your pulse and your tongue body. After our diagnosis is complete we formulate a therapy protocol and begin the actual treatment.

Do the needles hurt?

The sensation is different from person to person. Some people feel a slight pinch, ache or tingling sensation but most feel nothing at all. The needles are tiny, just slightly larger than a whisker.

What my Acupuncture is NOT!

Light-hearted look at a man's first visit to an Acupuncturist. video

"Don't ask the doctor, ask the patient."

Yiddish proverb

How does acupuncture work?

Acupuncture works by stimulating the flow of Qi/circulation throughout the body. Where there is injury, the Qi or energy of the body gets stuck or becomes deficient. The painless insertion of needles helps bring the body's attention to the area and resume the free flow of energy.

From a western medicine point of view, acupuncture causes many physiological changes in the body:
According to the NIH (National Institute of Health), researchers are studying at least three possible explanations for how acupuncture works: 

Opioid release During acupuncture, endorphins that are part of your body's natural pain-control system may be released into your central nervous system — your brain and spinal cord. This reduces pain much like taking a pain medication. 

Spinal cord stimulation Acupuncture may stimulate the nerves in your spinal cord to release pain-suppressing neurotransmitters. This has sometimes been called the "gate theory." 

Blood flow changes Acupuncture needles may increase the amount of blood flow in the area around the needle. The increased blood flow may supply additional nutrients or remove toxic substances, or both, promoting healing.

How many treatments will I need?

As all health care providers will tell you, that depends on your situation. Often, the length of time you have experienced the imbalance will dictate the number of treatments that you will need. Everyone is different in this regard.

If your question was not answered here, please feel free to contact us at 403-217-5577 or email dr.annzee@shaw.ca