Acupuncture

Acupuncture involves the insertion of very thin needles through your skin at strategic points on your body. A key component of traditional Chinese medicine, in Canada acupuncture is most commonly used to treat pain and to help manage stress.

Traditional Chinese medicine employs acupuncture as a technique for regulating the flow of Qi (commonly translated as "energy" or "breath") through the Jing luo ("channels" or "meridians") as well as the flow of blood through blood vessels. By inserting needles into specific points along the channels the flow of qi and blood is directed to particular areas to address illness.

In contrast, many Western practitioners view the acupuncture points as places to stimulate nerves, muscles and connective tissue. At least part of acupuncture's pain relief seems to be attributed to the release of endorphins during the treatment. Many of the traditional channels of acupuncture have significant correspondence to the connective tissue known as "fascia" and the relationship between fascia and the practice of acupuncture is the subject of ongoing research. If you're interested in this topic here is a link to a podcast discussing it, and I would rcommend learning more about fascia through the work of Tom Myers.

I practice acupuncture in a variety of contexts. Community style acupuncture with groups people getting treated all at once as well as one on one sessions. I can even offer mobile acupuncture services in homes and workplaces.