Medical Acupuncture

Acupuncture in Vaughan

Kick Physiotherapy & Sports Medicine Inc. is proud to be offering acupuncture and contemporary medical acupuncture in the communities of Maple, Woodbridge, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Oak Ridges, King City, Thornhill, Kleinberg and Toronto.

 

 

Contemporary Medical Acupuncture is an evidence-based treatment technique using disposable, stainless steel needles to help regulate the body’s nervous system. Acupuncture has also been shown to decrease pain by promoting the release of naturally-produced chemicals called endorphins. Many acupuncture points are located near nerves, motor points, receptors and trigger points. Stimulation of these structures trigger the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) to release neurotransmitters which can help stimulate or inhibit certain functions of the body. Neurotransmitters are body chemicals that modify nerve impulses. Contemporary medical acupuncture directly targets these transmitters to help auto-regulate our body’s biochemical functions. Some forms of regulation include spasm inhibition, muscle activation, vasodilation, and pain modification.

Although medical acupuncture is not a “cure-all” treatment modality, it is very effective in treating several diseases and conditions. Acupuncture is most effective at treating chronic pain, such as headaches, low back pain, muscle fatigue, and long-standing joint pain. It can also be used to treat frozen shoulder, arthritis, tennis elbow, sciatica and rotator cuff impingement syndrome. Most chronic pain conditions deal with specific muscle imbalances which include weakening and shortening of the myofascial structures holding our joints together.

Contemporary medical acupuncture can be used to activate muscles that are too weak, loosen muscles that are too tight and restore conductivity in the nerves that supply them. It should be stated that acupuncture may not be the only way to improve your condition. Your therapist may recommend acupuncture treatment along with other therapeutic techniques such as manual therapy, Active Release Techniques® and/or progressive flexibility and strength conditioning. Your treating practitioner who performs acupuncture, will perform a detailed examination of your injury or site of pain. We will evaluate all possible structures involved including muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, joints and nerves. After a thorough explanation of our findings, an acupuncture treatment plan will be designed to help resolve your clinical problems. During the treatment, acupuncture needles are chosen at neurologically relevant points along your body. These needles may be either twirled or energized electrically. We will use different combinations of points and different needling techniques. These combinations help stimulate new healing signals, as your response to treatment is observed.

Does Acupuncture Hurt?

In our experience, the vast majority of needles inserted during one treatment session are pain free. You may feel a slight prick when the needle is inserted, but it is much less than that felt during a regular injection at your doctor’s. Acupuncture needles are 1/6th the diameter of standard hypodermic needles. As well, acupuncture needles have been manufactured with a conical tip, not serrated (as a regular needle). For this reason, acupuncture is globally viewed as a safe and relatively pain free treatment technique. It is normal however to feel heaviness, numbness, tingling, or mild soreness after the needles have been inserted. This however is temporary.

Is Acupuncture Safe?

Yes. When acupuncture is performed with single-use disposable needles under clean, sterile conditions, and by a qualified health care practitioner it is highly unusual to have any complications.

How much do I have to pay for Acupuncture?

At Kick Physiotherapy & Sports Medicine Inc., contemporary medical acupuncture is complimentary to your physiotherapy visit and is therefore not billed as an extra service.