FAQs

Acupuncture is a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and is used to ensure the free flow of the body’s energy in order to bring the body back into its natural balance.

Acupuncture is a method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and to improve functioning. This is done by inserting needles, applying heat, electrical stimulation or a laser at very precise acupuncture points.

The Aim of Acupuncture is to establish a healthy bodily function by restoring the natural circulation of energy in your body. This energy is known as ‘Qi’.

This form of medicine involves inserting a SOLID filiform needle made of stainless steel – the width of a strand of hair into the skin at specific areas of the body to help achieve a therapeutic effect. NO Drug is injected.

By restoring the natural energy in your body, Acupuncture encourages the body’s internal organs to correct imbalances. This natural healing may assist by increasing energy, improve moods, reduce or relive pain, promote a healthy digestive system and may improve the function of the affected areas in the body.

People experience the insertion of an acupuncture needle differently. Most patients feel either a dull, achy, heavy or warm sensation when the needle is correctly placed. This is referred to as ‘Qi’. Most people become very relaxed or will fall asleep. Laser Acupuncture can also be helpful and patients can also feel either a dull, achy, heavy or warm sensation or no sensation at all.

The initial consultation and treatment entails taking a full medical history. This may include a wide range of questions such as asking about your energy, sleep, diet, digestion, urinary/bowel functions, emotional or physical symptoms. The pulse is taken to give valuable clinical information and the tongue is viewed to confirm the pulse. After a full assessment is made, points are selected, a treatment plan is made and suggestions of additional modalities such as exercise, massage or dietary advice are given.

The treatment may take up to 60 minutes while the follow-up treatments are closer to 30-45 minutes.

The number of treatments needed differs from person to person. For chronic or complex conditions, one or two treatments a week for several weeks or months may be recommended. For acute conditions, one to three treatments may be required. The number of sessions required really depends on the nature of the disorder. At the time of the initial examination, Erica will evaluate your condition and will assess the approximate number of treatments needed.

Acupuncture can definitely be used in conjunction of any other form of treatment. The combination of both Eastern and Western medicine are ideal. Acupuncture alone can help to improve various conditions however; Integrative medicine can be very beneficial as well. Please consult with your Medical doctor regarding any questions or concerns that you may have.

Most acupuncturists treat for a minimum of 3 months preceding an IVF treatment in order to help prepare the body with its natural functions such as increasing the lining of the uterus, increasing the quality of eggs and to assist with hormonal and emotional imbalances. Although, 3 months preceding an IVF treatment is not necessarily required.

Other ways acupuncture helps the IVF procedure include:
Helps to relax the uterus to prevent contractions (this helps the embryo during the critical early time frame)
Keeps the patient calm to support the uterus
May assist with regulating hormones
Helps to dilate the cervix to make the IVF procedure run smoother
May assist with prevention of miscarriage

Laser acupuncture is the application of infra-red light to damaged tissues to assist with pain relief and promote healing instead of using traditional acupuncture needles. Laser therapy is a non-invasive, pain-free, light-based therapy that uses red and infrared light to target inflamed, injured and diseased tissues. Photons of light stimulate ATP production, thereby accelerating the healing process. Patients recover from musculoskeletal and peripheral nerve injuries with less scar tissue, accelerated cell regeneration and improved function.

Low-level lasers may assist with regenerating cells, decreasing pain, reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and stimulate hair growth.

Laser Acupuncture works by aiming a beam of light from a laser tube onto an acupuncture point, stimulating it similar to the way acupuncture needles do. A practitioner may hold the beam steadily for a period that can range from ten seconds to a maximum of two minutes.

Using a variety of specialised tools and techniques, the Shonishin method (Japanese Paediatric Acupuncture) stimulates the acupoints and meridians using rubbing, tapping and pressing methods on the surface of the body. Children generally find the treatment very relaxing and fun, as no pain or discomfort is felt.

Tapping is also known as Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). It is using your fingers to tap on the endpoints of meridians in your body while making a statement and focusing on various health problems that are challenging us such as stress, anxiety, insomnia, back, neck, shoulder pain and headaches. While tapping, a signal is sent to the amygdala in the brain releasing that ‘stress’ in the body that is held in your body’s memory.