Acupuncture, originating in China more than 2500 years ago, is a powerful treatment that we are seeing be consistently “proven” through rigorous research. Contrary to popular Western belief, it does not just involve inserting small, thin needles into a specific body location to alleviate pain. It is a used to help correct imbalances of energy in the body and treat many diseases as well as improve general health, along with alleviate aches and pains. If needles make you anxious take comfort in knowing that acupuncture needles are significantly thinner than syringes and the treatment is relatively painless. Many patients describe a calming effect post treatment.
Traditional acupuncture points follow the various nerve pathways in our body. By tapping into these spots, we can help calm and rewire the nervous system to relieve pain, ease anxiety, and regulate various processes.
Acupuncture can treat many conditions. At the Health Centre of Milton we have a variety of practitioners who use this tool as a part of their treatment plans. Our chiropractor and physiotherapist (physical therapist) use medical acupuncture to aid in treating conditions related to the musculoskeletal system:
Back Pain Relief + Arthritis
Acupuncture is an excellent natural pain reliever. It also provides longer term results than simply popping an Advil because it helps decrease inflammation and promote healing at the site of pain. It is also a great tool to help speed up recover from muscular and bone injuries.
If you are looking for a more holistic approach a naturopath or naturopathic doctor will use acupuncture to treat more systemic conditions:
Maximizing Fertility + Reducing Labor Time
This is one of the amazing ways we can use acupuncture AND the research is continuing to support it! Research has shown that using acupuncture around fertility treatments significantly increasing the chances of conception. We can also use it to regulate periods and increase natural conception as well. Once you are pregnant, keep acupuncture in your mind. Weekly treatments starting at week 37 have been shown to reduce the time spent in labor. This reduces the chances of complications and of course speeds up your introduction to your beautiful baby.
Anxiety + Insomnia
Regular acupuncture helps shift your body out of the sympathetic system (a.k.a fight or flight stress mode) into the parasympathetic system which is our calming rest and digest state.
Shifting into our parasympathetic state helps reduce anxiety, promote sleep, and support healthy digestion.
Not sure if acupuncture is for you?
Call for a complementary consultation. There are so many conditions that we can help with – find out if it is a good fit for you!