What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a highly effective form of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that promotes the balance and flow of energy through your body’s meridians - (energy pathways). Thin sterile needles are inserted by hand at specific acupuncture points (acupoints) to access the meridians and help restore your health.
How can acupuncture help me?
While acupuncture is most well known for its ability to relieve short and long-term pain, it has many other therapeutic benefits for conditions such as:
What does a typical acupuncture treatment consist of?
Your first treatment will take approximately 60 minutes and will begin with a detailed health assessment of up to 25 minutes. Your Registered Acupuncturist will inquire about your medical history and formulate a treatment plan that meets your specific needs. After your assessment, you will receive your first treatment.
Follow-up visits will consist of a short assessment and an acupuncture treatment. Your Registered Acupuncturist will stimulate specific points on your body by inserting very thin, sterile needles into the skin at various depths to promote and restore the body’s balance of energy. This can take up to 15 minutes. After the needles are inserted, they will stay in place for 15 to 30 minutes.*
As part of your treatment your acupuncturist may recommend a combined treatment with one of three additional techniques of Tui Na, Gua Sha or cupping.
Does acupuncture hurt?
Acupuncture is not painful. Most clients don’t feel anything, and the ones who do describe the feeling as a tingling
sensation or a dull ache. The standard acupuncture needle is between 25mm to 50mm long and 0.25mm wide.
What is the difference between massage, acupuncture and reflexology?
Massage Therapy: is a full body treatment that helps ease the pain related to muscle tension, injury, recovery, stress relief or the need for relaxation. Common massage treatments include Swedish, Deep Tissue, Hot Stone, Prenatal, Sport and Trigger Point.
Acupuncture: involves the placement of thin needles that are hand-inserted into specific acupoints to access your body’s meridians to help relieve pain and improve your overall well-being.
Reflexology: involves applying pressure to specific reflex zones in the feet or hands to help energize the body, relieve tension, and promote relaxation.
To find a clinic near you:
Prices may vary by clinic
Does my insurance provider cover acupuncture treatments?
Acupuncture is a recognized health care treatment covered by most extended plans. Please check with your insurance provider before your appointment to see if the treatment is covered.
FAQ's
A:Most people experience significant improvements in their health and well-being after acupuncture treatments. However,
it’s best to book an appointment with a Registered Acupuncturist who will help determine if acupuncture is right for
you.
Your Registered Acupuncturist will perform a health assessment, discuss your specific needs and health goals, then
provide a customized, targeted treatment plan that offers the therapeutic benefits and solutions you need.
A:The meridian system, also called channels, is your body’s system of pathways through which energy and blood flow. It is a network that connects your nerves, blood vessels, lymphatic system and musculoskeletal system. Acupuncturists focus on the energy flow in the meridians to relieve obstruction which helps restore health to your mind and body.
A:Yes, in addition to the primary acupuncture treatment, your acupuncturist may recommend a combined treatment with one of the three additional techniques of Tui Na, Gua Sha or cupping.
A:Tui Na (pronounced tweena) – is designed to help promote circulation and relieve pain, this treatment includes acupressure, massage, stretching and manipulation. Techniques of pressing, rolling, grasping, rubbing and even gentle pounding are used to encourage the release of tension from myofascial tissue.
A:The purpose of Gua Sha is to help release excesses in the body and stimulate healing. Your acupuncturist will use a specialized dull instrument made from plastic or metal and is moved down the muscles or meridians along the surface of the skin with repeated strokes. The treatment will cause redness to the skin and will disappear in 2-5 days.
A:Cups made of plastic or silicone and are placed over particular points on the body. A vacuum is created within the cup to draw the skin up. This treatment opens the skin’s pores, eliminating the blood stasis which helps to stimulate the flow of blood and helps release toxins from the body. The treatment will cause circular red marks on the skin and will disappear in 2-5 days.
A:Acupuncture is a recognized health care treatment covered by most extended plans. However, be sure to check with your
insurance provider before your appointment to see how much is covered and if you require a doctor’s note in advance
for reimbursement purposes.
In most cases, your insurance provider will offer direct billing. If they are not set up for direct billing with
Massage Addict, please be prepared with an alternate form of payment. You may arrange for subsequent reimbursement
with your insurance company.
A:Depending on the specific accreditation and regulatory requirements of your province, you may find that your acupuncturist holds one of these three levels of certification.
- R. Ac. (Registered Acupuncturist)
- R. TCMP, R. Ac (A dual title designation and includes both Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner and Registered Acupuncturist)
- Dr. TCM (Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine – British Columbia only)
Rest assured, regardless of your location, all Massage Addict acupuncturists will hold one of these protected titles.
