Acupuncture has been used as a therapeutic treatment for the health of people for more than 3000 years. It involves inserting very thin needles into specific places on the body called acupoints. Only sterile, disposable “one-time-use” needles are used. Acupuncture is used most frequently for treatment of acute and chronic pain, muscle spasm, tenderness and headaches.

Each acupoint lies within the skin and muscle region, and is related to the location of pain. Needles may be placed in the local area of pain or quite distal to the area of pain. The needles may be stimulated by hand, electrical stimulation or heated locally.

Acupuncture works by stimulating the body’s neuroendocrine system to produce its own natural pain relieving chemicals called “endorphins”. Endorphins help the body to heal itself and are excreted by the brain into the circulatory system.

What will you feel?

There is often a small pinching sensation as the needle penetrates the skin. This is often followed by a dull, aching sensation referred to as “chi”. Overall, the entire procedure is relatively painless.

What to Expect from Treatment?

Some people obtain relief immediately, some notice improvement after a few hours, some after a few days. Some require several treatments before responding. Some do not respond. Generally, acupuncture has a cumulative effect over several treatments. Therefore, a trial of 4 acupuncture treatments is recommended before deciding if it is effective for you. Occasionally, symptoms become worse before they improve. This usually only lasts one to two days.