We understand how pain can negatively impact your life and we are pleased to offer you natural pain relief with Traditional Chinese Medicine including acupuncture, acupressure, cupping, Chinese massage (Tui Na), and moxibustion. There is no need to suffer any longer. Book Today.
If you have physical, mental or emotional pain it really puts a damper on everything you want to do. It also affects your mood and your quality of life. It may no longer be possible to work or even do what you enjoy. You may have “tried everything” and are looking to acupuncture as a last resort.
The good news is that acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can reduce your pain, and help you return to a balanced and happier life. Here are some further reasons to choose TCM:
Medications can cause some nasty side effects and don’t encourage healing
Angela, our acupuncturist, was a registered pharmacist for 24 years and has been able to witness first hand the problems that her patients had with prescription medications. While these drugs can be quite effective they come rife with several common side effects. Opiates and opioids (codeine, oxycodone, morphine, hydromorphone, etc) cause sedation, drowsiness, constipation, impaired libido, flat mood and often lead to dependence and in some cases addiction. NSAIDS such as Advil (ibuprofen) and Naproxen (Aleve) and Celebrex (celecoxib), etc, tend to cause gastrointestinal distress, ulcers, may increase blood pressure, and in some cases cause kidney and liver damage. Even Tylenol (acetaminophen) can cause fatal liver damage, particularly in people who drink alcohol–for this reason, the recommended maximum daily dose in chronic use has been lowered over the years. Corticosteroids by mouth (prednisone) adversely impact all systems of the body when given on a chronic basis–diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance may occur, mood changes, impaired stress response and poor healing time to name a few. Short term use often leads to stomach irritation and in some people, anxiety/insomnia. Repeated Injected corticosteroids (methylprednisolone, triamcinolone acetonide, etc) are known to degrade joints they are injected into. They may cause more harm than good.
All of these medications are excellent in the short term but the longer you take them, the more problems they may cause for you. You will very likely benefit from a natural approach.
With acupuncture, acupressure, cupping, Tui Na (Chinese Massage), and moxibustion treatments you may find that you are able (with your doctor’s okay), to reduce or even eliminate your pain medication.
Number of Visits Needed
Occasionally some patients get 100% lasting pain relief on the first visit but this is not the norm. Most often people report relief on the first visit, but, as in other therapies, a series of visits are required so that the pain doesn’t come back. The number of visits needed depends on the length of time you have had the pain and also on its severity. On average we find that people will start to notice a more lasting change in the 4th to 6th visit. When there is pain relief for a week, then the treatments are spaced biweekly. When there is relief for 2 weeks, then monthly visits are often suggested. Some patients require seasonal maintenance, and others have no need to return.
How Acupuncture Works for Pain
For those of you who are more scientifically inclined, acupuncture relieves pain by stimulating endorphins, the body’s natural pain relievers. It also has an effect on the microcirculation, bringing healthy blood flow and immunomodulators to the affected area. Healing can thus occur. When needles are placed distally to the area of pain, it is thought that the midbrain pain response is reset.
From an ancient Chinese perspective, pain occurs when the body’s Qi (energy) is blocked. This causes the blood flow to stagnate (from tight muscles and/or inflammation) and painful obstructive syndrome results. Acupuncture, by placing strategically placed needles gently into the area and/or in points in other parts of the body, helps to relieve pain. Meridians that are blocked are balanced and healing occurs.
Acupuncture Treats a Variety of Pain and Promotes Healing
Acupuncture (and the other modalities listed above), can successfully treat musculoskeletal pain. The problem may be due to injuries, broken bones, muscle tension, stress, arthritis, disc herniation, scoliosis, repetitive use injuries, nerve damage, osteoporosis, menstrual difficulties, digestive problems, hormone fluctuations and more.
Some examples where acupuncture is effective are:*
Musculoskeletal Pain:
Back pain–injury, muscle tension, stress, scoliosis, spinal stenosis, osteoporosis, arthritis, bone spurs;
Neck pain–whiplash, muscle tension, arthritis, osteoporosis, stress;
Shoulder pain–injury, muscle tension, frozen shoulder, stress, rotator cuff syndrome, bone spurs;
Elbow pain–tennis and golfer’s elbow;
Wrist pain–overuse (eg) Vinyasa in Yoga; carpal tunnel syndrome;
Hand pain–Dupuytren’s contracture, arthritis;
Knee Pain–ligament strains and tears (medial meniscus for example), arthritis, Baker’s Cyst;
Ankle pain–sprains, strains, arthritis;
Foot pain–plantar fasciitis, arthritis, bone spurs;
Diffuse body pain–fibromyalgia, connective tissue disease, polymyalgia, CRPS
Headaches–migraines, stress headaches, rebound headaches due to medication use, hormonal headaches, food insensitivity headaches;
PMS/PMDD–lower abdominal pain before and during menstrual flow; fibroids, endometriosis, PCOS
Gastrointestinal Pain–irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation, bloating, food insensitivities, acid reflux, Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative Colitis, ileocecal valve problems
Stress related pain–tight neck and shoulders, TMJ, tight chest, tight stomach area, headaches, digestive issues, to list a few.
Shingles–this disease can be hell for those who experience it. Results are best if treated early.
Acupuncture is an effective adjunct to other treatments too
It can very effectively enhance chiropractic, massage, and physiotherapy you may be receiving.
*Please note that this list is not inclusive. Please call us or send us an email if you have any questions.
