Although Traditional Chinese Medicine has its cultural roots firmly entrenched in fifty centuries of development, it is still a new concept to Western Society.
Our culture has been attempting to understand this mystical medicine that refers to such things as Wind Invasion (common cold), Wasting and Thirsting Syndrome (Diabetes Mellitus), and to include the pin yin name Lóng Bí (Urinary Retention/Benign Prostate Hypertrophy).
As you scroll this section, you may find the answer to your question, or you can contact me by email here. Good questions release wisdom, and the only poor question is the one that isn’t asked.
Is it covered on MSP?
The Provincial Medical Plan will not cover Acupuncture Treatments at this time.
We suggest that you write to your MLA and request that it be included as it is a proven natural healing method that would reduce medical expenditures. Some Extended Medical Plans will cover a set amount per year for treatments performed by a Certified or Registered Acupuncturist. Treatment fees may vary among Practitioners.
Is it safe?
Acupuncture is a very safe form of natural treatment when performed by a Certified or Registered Acupuncturist.Does it hurt? Most often, there is no pain experienced and the patient feels very calm and relaxed. There may be a very mild pin-prick when the needle is inserted through the skin, and occasionally some other new sensations such as tingling or warmth can be felt when “DA qi” is activated. You will be provided with a probability of success and approximately how many treatments your ailment may require.
Will it work on my ailment?
The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes a list of 108 diseases that have been clinically proven to respond to Acupuncture. We are all unique, and everyone will respond to treatment differently.Chronic ailments will require a series of treatments and a competent practitioner will not give you a guarantee of the outcome.
What is Tuina?
Tuina is the application of pressure at acupuncture points and gentle manipulation, which can promote blood circulation and influence internal organs for the purpose of healing. I often teach my patients how to do basic Tuina on specific areas to enhance the efficacy of their treatment between sessions.
How is a diagnosis made?
In determining the pattern of disharmony, the practitioner needs a detailed understanding of the patient’s lifestyle, diet, work, medical history, emotional state, etc. The TCM diagnosis includes questioning, observation, and examination of the pulse and tongue. What we are looking for are not symptoms in isolation, but rather a pattern or syndrome, which gives insight into a total picture
of the patient’s condition. The pulse is assessed on its strength, rhythm and quality to indicate the balance of energy and the state of the dis-ease. The tongue, through its shape, color, movement and coating can also indicate the progression and degree of the illness.
What are the causes of dis-ease in Chinese Medicine?
Many things can upset the balance of the body and disturb the flow of Qi, resulting in disharmony:
- emotional status such as stress, worry, anger, fear, grief, etc., each one of which has a particular effect on the energy balance of the body;
- diet per malnutrition, overeating, too much salt or greasy foods, eating erratically or in a state of tension;
- drugs such as alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, wrongly prescribed medicines or medicines with side effects, even tea and coffee can over stimulate the body;
- weather conditions such as cold, damp, wind, heat, etc., and particularly sudden changes in weather;
- exercise & rest – too much or too little of either;
- trauma, hereditary factors, poisons, epidemics.
What is Moxabustion?
In appropriate cases, moxabustion is used to apply heat on or over an acupuncture point or area of the body. It is a TCM technique that is achieved by burning dry moxa leaves (Artemisia Vulgaris) in a variety of forms and methods. The purpose is to dispel pathogenic Cold and encourage blood circulation. Studies have found that people who are experiencing MS (Multiple Sclerosis can obtain relief by using moxa on a regular basis. Moxa treatment can also be used to correct a malpositioned fetus, thus allowing the expectant mother to avoid the risk of surgery during delivery.
How big are the needles?
All of the needles used by Registered Acupuncturists (R.Ac.) in this province are pre-sterilized and disposable to reduce any risk of infectious disease transmission. The needles come in a variety of lengths and gauges of course, but the most common size used is a 0.20 gauge that is 25 mm in length, or about as thick as a human hair and one inch long. They are solid, made from select surgical stainless steel and have a ballpoint to reduce the risk of any bruising or nerve fibre damage. About six acupuncture needles will fit into the opening on a hypodermic syringe.
What if I don’t believe in it?
The human mind is a powerful instrument and it is able to either support or reject almost any stimulation. I do not agree with animal testing, but tests have shown that animals will respond in a positive way to treatment by acupuncture. I suggest that if you decide to have acupuncture, do so with an open mind. I have seen some strong skeptics become true believers when their results were beyond all expectations. It is difficult to not recognize the effect of acupuncture when a pain melts away within seconds of needle insertion.
How does Acupuncture work?
There are many theories and widespread scientific opinions about the effect and efficacy of acupuncture. TCM expresses good health as a harmonious landscape, and acupuncture is very effective at creating a harmonious balance within the body in a natural and drug free way. I often use the metaphor with my patient that inserting an acupuncture needle into the body is akin to dropping a pebble into a still pond. It creates a ripple effect throughout the metabolism that affects our body, mind and spirit. As reported in Alternative Health Care – The Canadian Directory, authors Peter Firebrace and Sandra Hill express in A Guide to Acupuncture that the close relationship between matter and energy, at the heart of traditional Chinese Medicine, is reflected in Albert Einstein’s Theory of Relativity. “Matter is just vibrating energy, according to Einstein’s formula (E = mc2); by affecting that vibrating energy at key points (acupuncture points) you will affect the matter.”
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is one of the five pillars of TCM. Acupuncture refers to the insertion of very fine, solid needles at selected points along the 14 mainmeridians to stimulate the flow of energy, or Qi (Chee). There is minimal discomfort. It is intended to stimulate the body’s natural healing abilities, relieve pain and restore internal regulation systems. By legal definition, it is “an act of stimulation, by means of needles, of specific sites on the skin, mucous membranes of subcutaneous tissues of the human body to improve health or alleviate pain.”