Unlike standard needles, which are hollow, rigid and wide, acupuncture needles are solid, flexible and thin – approximately .2mm wide (slightly thicker than a human hair).
Upon initial insertion, as the needle enters the skin, a slight prick can sometimes be felt. Although the presence of a properly positioned acupuncture needle can often be felt, it is not uncomfortable.
Yes. We only use high quality, sterile, single-use disposable needles which are never reused. Needle placement is also guided by our thorough understanding of anatomy. Side-effects such as redness or slight bruising around the needling site are uncommon.
Acupuncture practice is based on Traditional Chinese Medical theory. Registered acupuncturists use terms such as Qi, Yin-Yang and Five Elements in order to describe and treat conditions. Moreover, many modern theories have developed to try to explain acupuncture’s various actions: pain gate, motor points, microtrauma, decreasing inflammatory cytokines, and increasing adenosine or T-lymphocytes, to name but a few theories. It is clear that the entire picture will not be fully understood anytime soon. However, our primary focus as practitioners is the amazing effects of the medicine and less with how it works.
Most people know that acupuncture is effective in treating pain, but there are many other conditions that acupuncture can help. The World Health Organization recommends the use of acupuncture for the treatment of several diseases and disorders. In our clinical experience there are several disorders not listed that can benefit from acupuncture. Please feel free to call us and ask what acupuncture can do for you.
Registered acupuncturist. The province of Alberta regulates the practice of acupuncture. Registered acupuncturists have a minimum of 1440 hours of theoretical instruction and 650 hours of clinical experience, and must pass a provincial registration exam.
