| What are acupuncture and acupressure? |
Acupuncture is one of the oldest therapies. It has been using for thousands of years in China and in other Asian countries. During the treatment, acupuncturists insert disposable, hair-like thin needles into acu-points in our bodies to treat almost all kinds of conditions.
Acupressure is the gentle but firm stimulation of acu-points by fingers, thumbs and elbows. It uses the same points and energy channels as acupuncture, but without the use of needles.
Key Points:
Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Tuina, and Cupping
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| Does it hurt? |
It is not painful. Acupuncture needles are small and thin with rounded tips to slide through muscle instead of cutting it. The insertion of the needle can be completely unnoticed. Some people might feel a slight pinch but not enough to be called “pain”.
Typical sensations during acupuncture range from no feeling at all to soothing warmth, tingling, electrical buzzing, or a dull ache. These are all normal responses and will vary depending on each individual’s condition. You will find out any sensations you may experience during the treatment are well worth the results they bring.
You can say “ almost no pain and lots of gain”.
Key Points:
Less side effects, purely natural, and safe
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| Does it work? |
According to the survey of acupuncture patients in 1995 in USA, 575 acupuncture patients answered a 29-question survey into the effects of acupuncture and the feedbacks are very positive:
- 90% reported the disappearance or improvement of their symptoms after treatment.
- 84% needed to see their doctor less frequently.
- 80% liked the treatment.
- 79% used fewer medical drugs than before.
- 75% were women.
- 71% avoided surgery.
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| Why TCM and Acupuncture? |
In western medicine both diagnosis and treatment are usually based upon a part of the body. For example,
patient diagnosed with gallstones is likely to have his gallbladder removed along with the stones.
However, removing a patient’s gallstones does not treat their initial cause. While the stones do not re-form, the gallbladder is no longer in the body and the original
imbalance has not been cured by the operation. As a result, the patient may eventually have other problems such as intrahepatic bile duct stones.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the aim of treatment is not only to alleviate the illness itself but also to remove its cause.
TCM and Acupuncture treat the whole patient by raising his entire level of health.
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| What does a Registered TCM Practitioner (R.TCM.P) do? |
 In British Columbia, Chinese medicine practitioners, including acupuncturists and TCM herbalist, must be certified by the government. These are two completely different certifications used to protect your health so that you receive safe and effective treatments.
Key Points:
Registered TCM Practitioner (R.TCM.P)
Acupuncturists and TCM Herbalist
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| How does TCM and Acupuncture work? |
TCM is based on the belief that the body contains a vital energy called Qi, which runs along pathways (meridians) within the body.
Imbalances in the flow of Qi are thought to cause illness. Practitioners of herbs use formulas to rebalance your Qi while
acupuncturists use extremely fine needles by inserting them into the points. These allow your body natural healing mechanisms to take over.
Modern research explain how does Acupuncture works as follow:
A) Endorphins release
During acupuncture, endorphins, which 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.
B) Spinal cord stimulation
Acupuncture may stimulate the nerves in your spinal to release pain-suppressing neurotransmitters. This has sometimes been called the “gate theory”.
C) Blood flow changes
Acupuncture needles may increase the amount of blood flow in the area around the needles. The increased blood flow supply additional nutrients and remove toxic substances, promoting healing.
D) Some studies also suggest acupuncture helps enhance or rejuvenate the body’s immune system
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| How often and how many times will I need to visit the TCM practitioners and acupuncturists? |
At least once a week, preferably twice a week.
An acute injury without structural damage responds quickly. Within 1-3 treatments, chronic conditions (either musculoskeletal or internal) can have a
significant relief of symptoms within 1- 5 treatments, but may take longer to make you feel well permanently.
A typical course of treatments for chronic conditions is 6-12 visits.
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| What kind of diseases does acupuncture can treat? |
A review of acupuncture by the World Health organization found it is an effective treatment for 28 conditions and researches suggest it is effective for a lot more.
In an official report, Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials, the WHO (WHO)
has listed the following symptoms, diseases and conditions that have been shown through controlled trials to be treated effectively by acupuncture:
- low back pain
- neck pain
- sciatica
- tennis elbow
- knee pain
- periarthritis of the shoulder
- sprains
- facial pain (including craniomandibular disorders)
- headache
- dental pain
- tempromandibular (TMJ) dysfunction
- rheumatoid arthritis
- induction of labor
- correction of malposition of fetus (breech presentation)
- morning sickness
- nausea and vomiting
- postoperative pain
- stroke
- essential hypertension
- primary hypotension
- renal colic
- leucopenia
- adverse reactions to radiation or chemotherapy
- allergic rhinitis, including hay fever
- biliary colic
- depression (including depressive neurosis and depression following stroke)
- acute bacillary dysentery
- primary dysmenorrhea
- acute epigastralgia
- peptic ulcer
- acute and chronic gastritis
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| How to understand the TCM theory? |
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is based on the belief that the body is a delicate balance of two complementary opposing forces: Yin and Yang. Yin represents the cold, slow or passive principle of life, while Yang represents the hot, excited and active one. Health is achieved by maintaining an appropriate balance of the two.
An imbalance of Yin and Yang leads to blockage in the flow of blood and vital life energy (Qi). To help unblock these pathways and restore health, practitioners of TCM generally use one or a combination of treatments, which may include: acupuncture, acupressure, moxibustion or applying Chinese herbs.
According to ancient Chinese belief, the laws that govern the natural world also apply to human life. A person is viewed as an individual ecosystem. The goal of TCM is to maintain natural harmony. Harmony and disharmony, health and sickness, are determined according to concepts know as principles, elements and network.
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| Why is a healthy lifestyle important? |
An in-depth study has been conducted into the lifestyles of many people in America over the last 30 years. It was carried out at the University of California School of Public Health and identified seven deadly health ‘sins’ likely to result in an early and painful death. They are:
- 1. Obesity
- 2. Physical inactivity
- 3. Smoking
- 4. Too much alcohol
- 5. Sleeping too little or too much
- 6. Eating irregularly
- 7. Skipping breakfast
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