Acupuncture Calgary
Your Alternative Treatment for Relief
Acupuncture is an ancient form of medicine that has been used for centuries to treat a variety of medical conditions. It is now considered a mainstream form of therapy, and can provide relief from pain, improve muscle movement, and resolve a variety of different conditions.
At Brentwood Physio, we offer acupuncture in Calgary as part of our acupuncture physiotherapy treatments or as a stand alone service. Our experienced acupuncturists have used acupuncture on many of our clients including NHL players, Musicians, Canadian Masters Athletes, and everyday Calgarians; with remarkable results.
Our goal is to provide our patients with the highest quality of care and help them return to their everyday lives as quickly as possible. If you want to book an acupuncture appointment, Click Here.
If you are looking to learn more about acupuncture, scroll down, our acupuncturist has explained everything below.
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a time-tested practice that has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. It’s most commonly used to treat pain, but is also becoming increasingly popular for overall wellness, including stress management. This is because acupuncture is a safe and natural way to improve your health without relying on medication.
Acupuncture is a technique that has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine to balance the flow of energy or life force. This life force, known as chi or qi, is said to flow through pathways (meridians) in your body. By inserting needles into specific points along these meridians, acupuncture practitioners believe that your energy flow will re-balance, helping to improve your health. Acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for a variety of conditions, and can be tailored to meet your specific needs. If you’re considering acupuncture, make sure to consult with a qualified practitioner to find out if it’s right for you.
While acupuncture has been used for centuries in China and other parts of Asia, it is a relatively new treatment in the West. Most Western practitioners view the acupuncture points as places to stimulate nerves, muscles and connective tissue. Some believe that this stimulation boosts your body’s natural painkillers. Others believe that acupuncture can help to regulate certain functions in the body, such as digestion, heart rate and blood pressure. Despite these differing opinions, there is growing evidence that acupuncture can be an effective treatment for a variety of conditions.
Is acupuncture the same thing as dry needling (IMS)?
Acupuncture and dry needling are two different things. Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine practice that involves inserting thin needles into the skin at specific points on the body to help relieve pain and tension. It also has been shown to help promote healing. Dry needling is a newer technique that uses similar needles to stimulate specific muscles and tissues. It is used to treat pain, muscle spasms, and other problems.
Acupuncture is believed to the body to release natural painkillers and healing chemicals, which can improve symptoms such as pain, nausea and infertility. Some people also use acupuncture for weight loss and to boost energy levels.
Types of Acupuncture
- Traditional Chinese Acupuncture: Chinese acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine that has been used in China for centuries. It involves inserting thin needles into the body at specific points to stimulate healing and balance the flow of energy throughout the body.
- Japanese Style Acupuncture: Similar to traditional Chinese acupuncture but an acupuncturist use fewer needles. The needles are also smaller and inserted to a shallower depth.
- Korean Acupuncture: . Similar to traditional Chinese acupuncture but an acupuncturist will use many more needles. Additionally, instead of the typical stainless steel needles, they will use Cooper needles.
- Auricular Acupuncture: also known as ear acupuncture, is a form of acupuncture that involves the stimulation of specific points on the outer ear. These points are believed to correspond to different areas of the body. Auricular acupuncture is often used to treat a variety of conditions, including pain, addiction, and mental health disorders.
- Acupressure: is a form of massage that uses pressure instead of needles to stimulate acupuncture points. It is based on the same principles as acupuncture, but it can be done by anyone and does not use needles.
Acupuncture Physiotherapy
Acupuncture can be used on its own or in combination with other treatments such as massage or physiotherapy. It is often used to treat a variety of musculoskeletal conditions and can help manage chronic pain, migraine, and headaches. The treatment is typically safe and well-tolerated, but there may be some mild discomfort when the needle is inserted. If you are considering acupuncture as a treatment option, speak to your physiotherapist or acupuncturist, they will let you know whether it is right for you.
What are the benefits of acupuncture?
Whether part of a personalized physiotherapy plan, or on its own, acupuncture can be highly beneficial to individuals suffering from variety of conditions including, but not limited to:
Chronic pain
- Headaches
- Migraines
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Shoulder pain
- Sleep disorders
- Digestive disorder
- Hormonal imbalances
- Bell’s Palsy
- Stress
- Anxiety
What can our acupuncture clinic in Calgary treat?
You can receive treatment and relief with our registered acupuncturist and specialized physiotherapists at our clinic. Through one-on-one sessions in a private screened room, you will enjoy a high level of care and a quicker road to a full recovery with our experts. Having worked with professional dancers, musicians, NHL players, Canadian Masters Athletes, and everyday Canadians, our acupuncturist will work alongside your physiotherapist, so your treatment remains consistent with your personalized plan
What you can expect with Calgary Acupuncture?
There are many different styles of acupuncture, each acupuncturist will offer a unique style that will blend aspects of Western and Eastern medicine. Your acupuncturist will work with you to help treat a variety of conditions like pain, anxiety, infertility and injuries to the body. To determine the type of acupuncture treatment that will help you the most, your acupuncturist will ask you about your symptoms, behaviours and lifestyle.
Typically acupuncture session will be incorporated into an acupuncture physiotherapy treatment, lasting between 30-60minutes. The majority of musculoskeletal issues benefit from coming in one or two times a week for 4-8 weeks or until symptoms resolve. In many cases, patients feel relief as early as a couple hours after an acupuncture treatment. Best results are seen 24hours after treatment.
During the procedure
Acupuncture is a treatment that uses small needles to stimulate specific points on the body. These points are located in all areas of the body, and can be quite distant from the area of pain. Your acupuncturist will inform you on the general site treatment.
- Needle insertion. Acupuncture needles are inserted to various depths at strategic points on your body. Each needle is brand new and from a sterilized environment. They are very thin, so insertion usually causes little discomfort. People often don’t feel them inserted at all. A typical treatment uses 5 to 20 needles. You may feel a mild aching sensation when a needle reaches the correct depth.
- Insertion: Once your acupuncturist has identified the correct site, they will prepare a very thin needle. The needs are so thin that the majority of people don’t feel them when they’re inserted A typical treatment uses 5-15 needles. Occasionally patients may feel a mild aching sensation when a needle reaches the appropriate depth.
- Once it is in: Sometimes your acupuncturist will gently move or twirl the acupuncture needles once they have been applied. They might even connect a small machine that causes a gentle electrical pulse to travel through the needle.
- Blissful Removal: Generally needles remain in place for 15minutes, it is important that during this time patients remain relaxed and still. When it is time for your acupuncturist to remove the needles, they will do so quickly. Typically patients don’t feel anything.
After the procedure
Acupuncture is a great way to improve your overall health and well-being. Not everyone responds to acupuncture, but if your symptoms don’t begin to improve within a few weeks, you may want to try a different approach. Acupuncture is a natural way to promote healing and has been used for centuries. If you’re looking for an alternative approach to health and wellness, acupuncture may be right for you.
What are the side effects of acupuncture?
The side effects acupuncture are quite minor and include brief soreness, bruising, and minor bleeding. Individuals with a bleeding disorder, a pace maker and who are pregnant should inform their acupuncturist before moving forward with treatments. Like most medical treatments, there are risks involved. In the case of acupuncture, serious symptoms are incredibly low, which is why acupuncture is considered safe.
The bottom line
Acupuncture is an effective treatment for a variety of different conditions and can help you get back to your life. If you’re struggling with something, make an appointment today to see if acupuncture can help you. Click here to book an appointment.