What is Contemporary Medical Acupuncture?
Contemporary Medical Acupuncture is a peripheral nerve stimulation technique used for the purpose of modulating abnormal activity of the nervous system and/or the endocrine, exocrine, and immune systems by inserting fine, solid, sterile needles at specific targets taught through McMaster University. This regulatory technique occurs through neurological and neurohumoral mechanisms, specifically targeting structures of the peripheral nerves, spinal cord, brain, and cerebellum. This approach may be used with or without electrical input added.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
From Acid Pix (via Flickr) CC.
Stimulation of the nervous system with acupuncture is applied as a mechanism-based approach — not disease. This application creates a physiological intervention through up-regulation and down-regulation of cellular processes, promoting local tissue healing and blood perfusion, decreasing pain, improving function, and restoring muscle activation.
Does it Hurt?
Most people describe feeling “pressure” or of “being aware” when the needle is inserted, however it is rare for people to describe outright pain. It is not like receiving a medical needle insertion (vaccination shot, venipuncture for blood sample, dental anaesthesia), as the fine, solid needles are much smaller in diameter. One of my goals is to make your treatment comfortable, and I will work with you to ensure that outcome.
Is there an Additional Cost?
No. Acupuncture is used as an adjunctive therapy – which means it is used alongside other treatment types during the same visit. Therefore, it is considered a component of your typical visit, just as any other therapeutic method would be. There is no additional cost for its use during treatment!
More Information
For those interested, click here for more information regarding Contemporary Medical Acupuncture. To learn about other clinical services offered, see the Services page.