Acupuncture
Introduction to
Acupuncture:
Acupuncture is among the oldest healing
practices in the world that originated in China. It is
based on an energetic model that encourages your body’s
natural healing abilities, therefore enables you to
regain and keep physical and emotional health. The
function of acupuncture is to ensure Qi (the flow of
vital life energy). Qi circulates in human body through
specific pathways called Meridians. When Qi flows
smoothly through meridian pathways, it will nourish
every cell, organ and tissue in your body. But if Qi
becomes “blocked or obstructed” somewhere in your body,
it may lead to pain and illness.
The
treatment:
An acupuncturist will place fine, sterile needles at
specific points called acupuncture points, or acupoints
along your meridian pathways. The safe and painless
insertion of the needles unblocks the damming or
obstruction of your meridians. Releasing this blockage
allows the Qi
to freely circulate, eliminating pain and restoring the
body’s ability to heal itself.
Is
acupuncture safe?
Acupuncture is very safe. All needles are individually
pre-package and sterile. Each needle is disposed of
after one use.
Does it
hurt when the needles are inserted?
We use very fine needles. When the needles are inserted
there is little if any discomfort. Once inserted, the
patient may feel
numbness, distension or other sensations. Most patients
experience a calm and relaxing sensation after the
needles are inserted into the skin.
Can
acupuncture help me?
Acupuncture is extremely successful in the treatment of
a many conditions. The following is a list of some
of the most common conditions treatable by Acupuncture:
Allergies
Toothache
Constipation
Diarrhea
Stress incontinence
Urinary tract infections
Infertility in women and men
Menstrual irregularities - Irregular, heavy, or painful
menstruationPMS
Arthritis
Dizziness
Frozen shoulder
Headache and migraine
Insomnia
Low back pain
Neck and shoulder pain
Sciatica
Tennis elbow
Anxiety
Depression
Weight loss
Does acupuncture have side effects?
You need to be aware that:
-drowsiness occurs after treatment in a small number of
patients, and if affected,you are advised not to drive
-minor bleeding or bruising is very rare
-pain during treatment occurs in about 1% of treatments
- you may find that in the short term after treatment,
your symptoms
may in fact get worse before an improvement sets in.
This is a quite
common but you should let your acupuncturist know.
-fainting can occur in certain patients, particularly
with patients
who are hungry.
What
type of schooling do acupuncturists have?
Registered Acupuncturists in BC receive three years of
extensive full time training at certified schools. The
acupuncturists must then pass a comprehensive exam from
the College of TCM Practitioners and Acupuncturists of
B.C [CTCMA] to become Licensed.
Cancellation Policy
Appointments you booked are reserved especially for you.
If you need to reschedule please be sure to call the
centre 24 hours before your scheduled appointment so we
can make your time available to another patient. Less
than 24 hour cancellation notice or a missed appointment
will be charged the full cost.
Acupuncture Treatment Cost per session
Initial consultation and treatment (60 - 90min) $ 60.00
Follow up treatment (60min) $ 60.00
Package of 6 treatments (= $ 55.00 each) $330.00
Package of twelve treatments. (= $ 50.00 each) $ 600.00
What
will happen on my first visit?
During your initial exam, a full health history will be
taken with questions regarding your health, lifestyle,
and any other information necessary for diagnosis. After
the interview process, you will receive treatment. This
initial visit is about 60 to 90 minutes.
What will
happen during my treatment?
Where the acupuncture needle has been inserted, you may
feel a vague numbness, heaviness, tingling, heat, or
dull ache. Sometimes people will experience the
sensation of energy spreading from the needle. This is
called the “Qi” or energy sensation. All of these
reactions are a good sign that the treatment is working.
The Qi sensation is important for a successful treatment
so when the patient is unaware of
a needle being inserted the needle is manipulated by the
acupuncturist until a sensation is felt, usually the
sensation stops as soon as the manipulation stops but
occasionally it will take a few minutes to subside.
During treatment, you may feel energized but a feeling
of calm and well being is more common. The needles stay
in for about twenty five to thirty minutes and often
people will fall asleep during that time.
What
will happen after my treatment?
People often experience a sense of deep relaxation, and
may sleep a deep sleep the night of the treatment. It’s
also common for people to feel energized or euphoric.
How
many treatments will I need?
Six to ten treatments are usual for most conditions, Of
course not all conditions or individuals will respond in
the same way or within the same time frame. Some
conditions respond immediately, others take longer. The
more serious and/or long standing the condition, the
more treatments will be needed to show improvement. If a
condition is going
to respond to acupuncture, it will do so within six
treatments.
The number of treatments that a patient will require
depends on a variety of factors, the severity and
duration of your problem, your current health, and your
overall quality and quantity of Qi. Your acupuncturist
may suggest one or two treatments per week for several
weeks, or monthly visits over time for health
maintenance, seasonal “tune ups”, or preventative
medicine.
Pricing
Is
Acupuncture covered by Medical Service Plan (MSP)?Effective
April 1, 2008 MSP will partially cover acupuncture
visits. (Patient with family income under $28,000 or on
Disability). Please check with MSP to see if you
qualify)
Will my
health insurance cover Acupuncture?
Most extended health plans provide coverage for
acupuncture
treatments, including ICBC and WCB claims. Contact your
benefits advisor at work or your insurance provider to
confirm coverage for each year. You will be asked to pay
us directly at the time of treatment. We will issue you
a receipt and then you need to follow up with your
insurance company for reimbursement.