FAQs

Acupuncture is a type of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that has been in use for over 2500 years. It is a holistic method of treating a variety of conditions and ailments. It works by inserting very thin, single-use needles into the skin at specific acupoints and gently manipulating them to stimulate and release the flow of energy throughout the body. This is done to support your body’s natural healing processes.

The energy of Qi circulates through the body along natural pathways or channels known as meridians. Meridians connect every part of your body, which means that it is possible to treat conditions affecting internal organs and deep tissue by stimulating points on the skin. When we get sick or injured, the flow of Qi is disrupted. By manipulating points along the meridians, energy flow can be restored and enhanced, which will promote healing and provide pain relief. Acupuncture is beneficial to the treatment of a variety of conditions.

The short answer is that acupuncture shouldn’t hurt. Acupuncture needles are incredibly thin and are not inserted deeply into the skin. Most people don’t report feeling any pain while the needles are inserted, describing the sensation as being more like a pinch or mosquito bite. If you are more sensitive to pain, or have a cold or hangover, you may experience the sensation more intensely.

For most people, acupuncture won’t leave any kind of marks. For those with sensitive skin or who are more prone to bleeding, there could be slight bruising or a tiny drop of blood visible once the needles are removed.

Complementary treatments like cupping or gua sha do leave marks as they involve more manipulation and pressure applied to your skin. These marks don’t last long, and your acupuncturist will discuss this with you if it is relevant.

Acupressure increases the flow of Qi and rebalances the systems throughout your body by applying pressure to acupoints on the skin. This method is very similar to acupuncture, but it does not involve the use of needles or any other tools.

Electroacupuncture works on the same principles as traditional acupuncture. With this treatment, a mild electrical current is applied to the needles, which provides greater stimulation to acupoints than manual manipulation of the needles alone.

Auricular acupuncture (or ear acupuncture) is a technique that uses the ear as a micro system. It is very useful in diagnosing and treating dysfunction that may be present in your body. This treatment uses acupuncture needles inserted at various points that correspond with specific organs, emotions, and sensations to promote healing.

Cupping is a technique that involves placing glass or silicone cups on the skin as suction devices, and it is one of the best deep tissue therapies available. The treatment is similar to an inverse massage because instead of applying pressure to your muscles, it uses pressure to gently pull them upwards. Cupping is used to mobilize the flow of blood and Qi, promote healing for a variety of ailments, reduce pain, and improve general wellbeing.

Gua sha is a therapy technique designed to move stagnant energies out of your body. A specially shaped Gua sha tool is used to gently scrape the skin in long and short strokes, promoting increased blood flow to the soft tissue and creating anti-inflammatory effects throughout your body. Gua sha can treat both acute and chronic pain.

Tui na massage is believed to be one of the oldest forms of body work. Through a combination of hand and arm techniques, Tui na realigns the muscles, bones, ligaments, and tendons. This stimulates and improves the flow of Qi to promote balance and harmony in your body.

Moxibustion is a treatment that involves the burning of moxa sticks, which are made from ground Mugwort (artemisia vulgaris or ai ye in Chinese), over and around acupuncture points to expel cold and induce the smooth flow of Qi and blood. The heat stimulates these points and improves any deficiency of yang in your body.

You don’t have to be struggling with your health to seek out acupuncture treatment. While acupuncture is used to treat chronic and acute health conditions, it’s also designed to maintain good health. Acupuncture is designed to increase your feeling of overall wellbeing and to relieve stress, making it a worthwhile treatment for everyone.

Acupuncture has been proven to be very effective at treating a variety of chronic and acute pain. Both Qi and blood stagnation cause pain, and acupuncture addresses blockages causing that stagnation to help restore the natural flow of energy in your body. When acupoints are stimulated, pain-killing biochemicals such as endorphins and corticosteroids are released to provide lasting relief. Acupuncture also improves blood circulation and reduces inflammation, which helps to reduce pain. Some of the most common types of pain treated with acupuncture are neck and back pain, headaches and migraines, cancer pain, sciatica, osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia.

Back pain

Back pain is one the most common sources of pain. It has many different causes from slipped disks or muscle strain, to scoliosis or osteoporosis. Symptoms of back pain range from muscle soreness to a shooting, burning, or stabbing sensation.

Low back pain

Pain in the low back or lumbar region can make it hard to stand or move around and is a leading reason for missed work. It’s commonly caused by arthritis, herniated disks, back injuries, or lifestyle factors such as smoking, or weight gain.

Neck pain

Neck pain, or cervicalgia, is something everyone experiences from time to time. It frequently results from poor posture, like from sitting hunched over in front of a computer screen for long periods of time. Neck pain can cause muscle tightness or spasms and decrease the ability to move your head.

Arthritis

Arthritis is the name for the types of conditions that cause inflammation in your joints. There are as many as 100 types of arthritis. Some of them are simply the result of aging and wear and tear, while others are associated with autoimmune conditions like psoriasis or lupus. Symptoms include pain in one or most joints, stiffness, and difficulty moving.

Headache and migraine

There are three types of chronic headaches: migraines, tension headaches, and cluster headaches. Suffering from chronic headaches can be incredibly disruptive and debilitating. While each type of headache has their own set of symptoms, they all prove tricky to treat with western medicine alone.

Myofascial pain syndrome

Myofascial pain syndrome is a chronic pain disorder where pressure on the sensitive points (trigger points) of your muscles triggers pain in the muscle and sometimes also in unrelated parts of the body. This condition can be caused by repetitive strain injuries or from stress-related tension.

Sciatica

Sciatica is pain that travels along the sciatic nerve, which runs through the lower back, hips and buttock, and down each leg. When there is pressure on the sciatic nerve, like from a herniated disk or overgrowth of bone, it causes inflammation, pain, and often some numbness in the affected leg.

Cancer pain

Pain is very common among cancer patients. Cancer itself is known to cause pain, but so does the treatment. Sugery, radiation treatment, and chemotherapy all put a lot of strain on the body. This is why pain management is an important component to any cancer treatment.

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS)

The precise cause is still unknown, but chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome is a long-term condition that causes pelvic pain and lower urinary tract symptoms without evidence of bacterial infection.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep problems, memory, and mood issues. It is believed that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain and spinal cord process painful and nonpainful signals.

Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP)

Also known as persistent postsurgical pain (PPSP), this is pain that continues beyond the postoperative healing period. Most commonly caused by surgical injury to a major peripheral nerve, this is a complication that can occur after any kind of surgery, although some surgical procedures carry a higher risk of CPSP.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease. It causes your immune system to mistakenly attack healthy tissue. SLE can affect the skin, joints, kidneys, brain, and other organs. Symptoms vary from person to person, but can include chest pain when taking a deep breath, fatigue, fever with no cause, malaise, hair loss, weight loss, skin rash, mouth sores, or sensitivity to sunlight.

Acupuncture is very useful for treating injuries, particularly injuries common among athletes in all walks of life. The treatments offer pain relief, as well as reduce inflammation and relax strained muscles. This has the benefit of improving recovery time. Since acupuncture is non-invasive, it can be a good alternative to prescription pain medication for those who are concerned about chemical dependency and medication side effects.

Acupuncture treatment at regular intervals can also help reduce the likelihood of sports injuries. This is because acupuncture can improve flexibility, decrease muscle strain, and increase muscle activation.

Tennis elbow

Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis is the painful inflammation or micro tearing of the tendons that join the forearm muscles to the outside elbow. This results from overuse, typically by repetitive motions of the arm and wrist. Tennis elbow isn’t exclusive to racket sports; it’s also been known to occur from activities like plumbing or painting.

Golfer’s elbow/pitcher’s elbow

Golfers elbow, or medial epicondylitis, is the inflammation or injury of the tendons that bend the wrist toward the palm. This occurs when excessive force is used to bend the wrist toward the palm, like when swinging a golf club or baseball bat. Unlike tennis elbow, which effects the outside of the elbow, pain from golfer’s elbow is experienced on the inside of the joint. Other names for this condition are baseball elbow, suitcase elbow, or forehand tennis elbow.

Frozen shoulder

Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, is a condition where the connective tissue surrounding your shoulder joint becomes stiff and tight. The initial stages of frozen shoulder are quite painful as adhesions develop, and results in a reduction of mobility in the joint. The exact cause of this condition is not fully understood, but factors like diabetes, cardiac conditions, or immobilizing the shoulder after injury or surgery may contribute to frozen shoulder occurring.

Achilles tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis effects the tendon that connects the calf muscles at the back of the lower leg to your heel bone (the Achilles tendon). Pain or injury in this area most commonly occurs in runners who suddenly increase the intensity or duration of their runs, or in middle aged people who play sports semi-regularly.

Planter fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a painful degenerative condition that affects the thin ligament that lies directly beneath the skin on the bottom of your foot (the plantar fascia). This tendon supports the muscles and arch of your foot, and when it is overstretched or put under too much pressure, it can become painful and inflamed.

Runner’s knee

Runner’s knee, or patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), describes pain in the front of the knee and around the patella, and often results in stiffness that makes it difficult to climb stairs, kneel down, or perform other daily activities. Common causes are overuse during physical activities, or a misalignment of joints in the leg or from muscle weakness.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is caused when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the palm of the hand, becomes too tightly pressed or squeezed at the wrist. Common symptoms are tingling or numbness in your hands or fingers, and weakness in your hand that may cause you to drop things often. The condition usually results from a combination of factors, such as fracturing or dislocating your wrist, inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, or working with tools that cause vibrations or repetitive motions.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition that causes weak, porous bones. It occurs when the body reabsorbs more bone tissue than it produces to replace it, which lowers bone density. As a result, people with osteoporosis will be more likely to break a bone when they fall or engage in physical activity. This condition can affect anyone, but it is more common in women who are post-menopausal.

Shin splints

Shin splints, or medial tibial stress syndrome, occur when there is inflammation of the muscles, tendons, and bone tissue around the tibia. They’re most frequently brought on when you change the frequency or intensity of your workouts. Symptoms include pain, tenderness, or soreness along the inner side of the tibia and mild swelling of the lower leg.

Trochanteric bursitis

Also known as hip bursitis, trochanteric bursitis is the painful inflammation of the bursa in your hip. Bursae are small fluid-filled sacs that cushion and protect the soft tissue around your joints. The most common form of hip pain results from bursitis. Runners, cyclists, soccer players, and football players are likely to experience trochanteric bursitis, but it can also result from an injury or after hip surgery.

It can’t be overstated how important healthy digestion is to your overall wellness. Acupuncture can address a number of gastrointestinal issues by resolving imbalances that impact the organs involved in digestion. The stimulation of acupoints connected to digestion can help speed up your metabolism, reduce gastric acid secretion, and regulate function of the small and large intestines.

The holistic nature of acupuncture makes it easier to identify and treat imbalances in organs that are secondary to digestion. As a result, acupuncture is widely prescribed to alleviate many kinds of digestive issues. 

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition that affects the stomach and intestines. It’s characterized by abdominal pain, cramping or bloating that is related to passing a bowel movement, as well as changes in the appearance and frequency of bowel movements. Symptoms and severity vary between patients.

Crohn’s disease

Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. This can lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, and malnutrition. The exact cause of Crohn’s disease is still unknown, but it does tend to run in families.

Acid reflux

Acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux (GER), occurs when some of the acid content in your stomach flows up into the esophagus. Heartburn is a term that often gets used interchangeably but is just a symptom of acid reflux. If you experience acid reflux frequently, you may be diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a digestive disorder that affects the lower esophageal sphincter, or right of muscle, between your esophagus and stomach. This condition can be caused by chronic acid reflux or a hiatal hernia. Those with GERD may experience frequent heartburn, backwash of food or sour liquid, chest pain, trouble swallowing, or the persistent sensation of a lump in your throat.

Hiatal hernia

A hiatal or hiatus hernia is a condition where part of the stomach protrudes through an opening in the diaphragm muscle. The condition may be due to weakness of the supporting tissue, and can be exacerbated by age, obesity, or smoking. This condition is believed to cause GERD.

Ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UI) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation and ulcers to form on the inner lining of the large intestine. Symptoms of this condition include rectal bleeding, diarrhea, abdominal pain or cramping, rectal pain, weight loss, inability to defecate, fatigue, and fever.

Chronic gastritis

Chronic gastritis is persistent, low-grade inflammation and damage to the stomach lining. The mucus membrane, or gastric mucosa, that protects your stomach from digestive acid becomes thinner as the normal cells are destroyed. Most cases won’t present any symptoms. However, in severe cases, the stomach will stop producing acid, which can cause digestive upsets. This condition can also impair the production of a substance called intrinsic factor, which is necessary to the absorption of vitamin B12. The most common cause of chronic gastritis is helicobacter pylori (h. Pylori) infection. It can also be caused by some autoimmune diseases, Crohn’s disease, or gastric surgeries that increase the stomach’s exposure to bile.

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD)

A peptic ulcer is an open sore or raw area in the lining of the stomach or the first part of the small intestine. These ulcers form when h. pylori infections or regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin thin an area of the mucus lining in your stomach or small intestine, causing acid to eat away at the tissue underneath. There are other factors that can exacerbate your likelihood of developing an ulcer, like smoking tobacco products or consuming too much alcohol. Symptoms of peptic ulcers include bloating, excessive burping, lack of appetite or weight loss, nausea, bloody or dark stool, and vomiting.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is the redness and inflammation of the pancreas. It can be either acute, lasting for a short time before the pancreas returns to normal, or it can be chronic, which can cause permanent damage and scarring. It’s most commonly caused by alcohol abuse or when gall stones block the pancreatic duct. Other causes include trauma to the pancreas or belly, infections like hepatitis A or B, smoking cigarettes, and congenital abnormalities in the pancreas.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is a general term used to describe inflammation of the liver. Viral hepatitis is the most well know cause of liver inflammation. If left untreated, hepatitis can be damaging to your liver and lead to complications like cirrhosis or cancer. Symptoms may include jaundice; abdominal pain, tenderness, or swelling; dark coloured urine; fatigue; and nausea.

Bloating

Abdominal bloating is most often the result of excess intestinal gas. If you experience bloating after eating, it is most likely a digestive issue caused by eating too quickly, a food intolerance, or other conditions that might cause gas build up. Women may also experience bloating during their period. Bloating on its own is not a serious condition, and typically resolves within a few hours. If your bloating is chronic, this may be an indication of an underlying condition.

Gall stones

The gall bladder is responsible for producing bile, which is necessary for digesting fats. Sometimes bile will harden into solid masses called gall stones. This will happen if there is too much cholesterol being secreted into the bile by your liver, or if your gall bladder isn’t emptying completely or often enough. It’s not uncommon for gall stones to cause no symptoms. However, if a gall stone lodges in a duct or causes a blockage, you may experience sudden and rapidly intensifying pain in the upper right or centre of your abdomen, back pain between your shoulders or pain in your right shoulder, and nausea or vomiting.

Treating mental health issues is a complex and delicate process that typically requires a varied approach to see the best results. As mental health has been destigmatized, more people are turning to alternative therapies like acupuncture to support their healing journey. Acupuncture can improve emotional regulation, overall mood, and boost feelings of wellbeing, which help to alleviate the more severe mental health symptoms.

Stress

Chronic stress has a deep impact on your body. The buildup of cortisol, adrenaline, and epinephrine leads to many negative outcomes. Stress is linked to increased risk of stroke, high blood pressure, inflammation, lower immune system function, poor digestion, poor sleep quality, depression, and anxiety.

Anxiety

While anxiety affects your mental and emotional state, it also takes a toll on your body. Similar to stress, anxiety triggers the release of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. This can cause changes in respiration, heighten cardiovascular system response, impair immune function, and disrupt digestion.

Mania

Mania is a condition in which you experience a period of abnormally extreme changes in your mood or emotions, energy level, or activity level. These changes will fall noticeably outside of your normal baseline and may persist for a week or more. Common symptoms of mania include feelings of invincibility, lack of sleep, racing thoughts and ideas, rapid thinking, and having false beliefs or perceptions. While mania is a common symptom associated with mental illnesses like bipolar type one, it is also experienced as its own mental health condition.

Agitation

Agitation is the uncomfortable or heightened feeling of aggravation, annoyance, restlessness, or nervousness. While it is perfectly normal to experience agitation from time to time, it can interfere with your quality of life and ability to perform daily activities if you are chronically agitated. Agitation can be caused by chronic stress, burnout, grief, anxiety or mood disorders, chemical dependence or withdrawal, or conditions that cause hormonal imbalances.

Brain fog/ muddled thinking

While brain fog is not a diagnosis on its own, it’s a symptom that can have an outsized effect on your day-to-day. Characterized as a type of cognitive dysfunction, brain fog involves experiencing a lack of mental clarity, poor concentration, memory problems, and an inability to focus.

Poor or impaired memory

Poor or impaired memory can be the result of a number of things. Stress, depression, anxiety, as well as fatigue, sleep deprivation, concussions or head injuries, pregnancy, and aging are among the common causes that can affect your memory.

Sleep disorders

The quality of sleep you get each night will impact your health and quality of life. For some, no amount of “sleep hygiene” is going to help them get a better night sleep. That’s because they may be experiencing a sleep disorder. Some symptoms of sleep disorders may include excessive daytime sleepiness, irregular sleep and wake cycles, and difficulty falling or staying asleep.

Depression

Depression doesn’t just impact the mind; it has profound impacts on the body. Common symptoms are erratic sleep habits and poor quality of sleep, loss of appetite (or sometimes a big increase in appetite), constant fatigue, muscle aches, headaches, and back pain. It’s also known to weaken the immune system.

Attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD)

Attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) is a long-term chronic brain condition with the primary symptom of executive dysfunction. People with ADHD may struggle to stay organized, manage their behaviour, pay attention, control overactivity, regulate their mood, concentrate, follow directions, or sit still. There are a number of sub-types of ADHD as not everyone will present with all of the associated behaviours.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that causes people to interpret reality abnormally. People who have schizophrenia may experience hallucinations and delusions, as well as extremely disordered thinking and behaviour that impairs daily functioning. The exact cause of schizophrenia is still unclear, but with treatment it can be managed.

Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes unusual shifts in a person’s mood, behaviour, and energy levels. These shifts can be disruptive to a person’s daily life as they swing from manic to depressive episodes. There are three types of bipolar disorders: bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, and cyclothymia or cyclothymic disorder. Each are classified by the level of severity of symptoms.

Eating disorders

Eating disorders are serious health conditions that lead to dangerous eating behaviours. Most eating disorders involve an intense preoccupation with weight, body shape, or food. The behaviours associated with these conditions can seriously impact your body’s ability to get the nutrition it needs, as well as cause damage to vital organs like your heart and digestive system.

When it comes to women’s health, western medicine can leave a lot to be desired. As an alternative, acupuncture is a holistic approach that promotes balance and healing throughout the whole body, not just focusing on the reproductive organs and endocrine system. Women’s bodies go through so many changes from beginning to menstruate, pregnancy and post-partum, to menopause and perimenopause. Acupuncture can alleviate many of the symptoms of each stage of women’s health, including hormone imbalances, cramping, inflammation, headaches, nausea, and mood changes. 

Fertility

Fertility is the ability to conceive children. For women, there is a set period of time where they are fertile. This is because women are born with all the eggs they will ever produce. Certain medical conditions like endometriosis, PCOS, or ovarian cysts can impair or reduce fertility.

Infertility

Infertility is diagnosed as being unable to become pregnant after a year of trying for those under the age of 35, and six months of trying for those over 35. There are a variety of things that can cause infertility in women, from conditions like endometriosis and ovarian cysts to damaged or blocked fallopian tubes, or polycystic ovary syndrome. Many who struggle with infertility won’t experience any symptoms other than difficulty getting or staying pregnant.

IVF support

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a fertility treatment that involves taking both oral and injectable hormone medication to facilitate egg follicle production and create the ideal uterine environment to support pregnancy. The added hormones and the egg retrieval procedure are both hard on the body. Many women will seek out complimentary therapies like acupuncture to help relieve stress and support fertility.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy is the roughly 38-week period in which a fertilized egg develops into a baby. During that time, your body will go through many changes as you support and nurture the development of this new life. As your body is working double time, there are a number of symptoms and conditions that might crop up during your pregnancy.

Abdominal pain

Abdominal pain, sometimes referred to as afterpains, is often attributed to the uterus returning to its normal size. This can feel similar to menstrual cramps as the organ contracts. It can take up to six weeks for your uterus to return to its normal size. Another common cause of postpartum abdominal pain is constipation that results from hormonal changes, stress, reduced physical activity after delivery, or a bruised perineum from labour. Lastly, women who have c-section deliveries may experience pain and cramping around the incision site as they heal.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a metabolic and endocrine disorder that results in irregular menstruation, hyperandrogenism, and numerous small cysts that form on the ovaries. Women with PCOS often experience weight gain, hair growth, and acne, as well as irregular or missed periods, and infertility.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition where uterine cells grow in the abdominal cavity outside the uterus. It’s characterized by excessive menstrual bleeding, heavy cramping, and longer than standard periods. In severe cases, endometriosis can cause damage to the reproductive organs, reducing fertility.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

PMS, or premenstrual syndrome, is a combination of physical and emotional symptoms experienced in the one- to two-weeks leading up to menstruation. These symptoms include mood swings, tender or sore breasts, food cravings, fatigue, and irritability.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a more extreme form of PMS that comes with all the same physical symptoms, but also causes severe anxiety, depression, and mood changes in the days leading up to menstruation. Some who experience PMDD may become suicidal.

Menstruation

Menstruation is the final stage of the menstrual cycle when falling progesterone levels trigger the shedding of the uterine lining. This period typically lasts up to five days, during which time many women experience cramping, bloating, nausea, headaches, fatigue, and irritability.

Vaginal itching

Itching in the vagina and vulva can be particularly uncomfortable given how sensitive those areas are. Many things can cause vaginal itching, burning, or irritation. In particular, bacterial vaginosis, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), yeast infections, menopause, and chemical irritants like soaps and detergents.

Uterine prolapse

Uterine prolapse is a condition where your uterus has dropped down into your vaginal canal. This occurs when your pelvic floor, the muscles and tendons that hold your uterus in place, has weakened. Symptoms may include urine leakage, inability to fully empty your bladder, feeling of heaviness or achiness in your pelvis, bulging in your vagina, lower-back pain, and constipation. Women who’ve entered menopause are likely to experience uterine prolapse, as nearly half of women between the ages of 50 and 79 have experienced the condition.

Menopause

Menopause is a natural part of aging for women. It marks the end of a woman’s fertile window and typically occurs around middle age, although some women may experience premature menopause. Women are considered fully menopausal when they have not menstruated for twelve consecutive months. The changes in hormones that accompany menopause may also cause hot flashes, chills, vaginal dryness, night sweats, sleep problems, mood changes, and slowed metabolism.

Acupuncture is well suited to tackling both allergy and respiratory symptoms, as well as reducing the frequency that medication is needed to treat both. Stimulating the meridians that correspond with the lungs, colon, stomach, and spleen improves the circulation of defensive Qi. This helps strengthen immunity and reduce reactivity to allergens. Likewise, acupuncture reduces inflammation that may be impeding respiration. The treatment can also relax or release the overreactive smooth muscles that cause bronchial constrictions.

Allergies

Allergies are your immune system reacting to the presence of a foreign substance that it deems harmful. In a lot of cases, allergies develop to relatively benign substances, such as pollen, animal dander, or foods. Allergy symptoms range from minor irritations like sneezing and runny nose to the more life-threatening anaphylaxis.

Asthma

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that causes your airways to narrow and swell, and may produce extra mucus in the lungs, all of which result in difficulty breathing. Asthma attacks can be triggered by a variety of things, such as exercise, allergies, or other environmental factors. There is no cure for asthma, but with treatment, symptoms can be managed.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that obstructs airflow from the lungs. Symptoms of the disease include difficulty breathing, coughing, mucus production, and wheezing. It is typically caused by long-term exposure to irritants like tobacco smoke or industrial chemicals.

Postnasal drip

Postnasal drip occurs when excess mucus builds up in the sinuses or nasal cavity and drips down the back of your throat. In addition to the physical sensation of the mucus drip, you may also experience a sore or irritated throat, coughing, hoarseness, and the frequent urge to clear your throat. There are a variety of conditions that cause postnasal drip, such as colds or flu, bacterial or sinus infections, or allergies.

Chronic colds

Some people are more predisposed to catch every cold that goes around. Having an immunodeficiency, being under constant stress, or having a medical condition like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease can leave you more predisposed to getting sick.

Influenza

Commonly known as the flu, influenza is a viral infection of the nose, throat, and lungs. While influenza has many symptoms in common with colds (runny nose, sneezing, and sore throat) the main difference is that the flu comes on much faster and symptoms will be more severe. Those with preexisting health conditions like asthma or heart disease may experience complications due to the flu.

Long COVID

Long COVID or post-COVID conditions are broadly defined as symptoms and conditions that persist or develop after an acute COVID-19 infection. General symptoms include tiredness or fatigue, post-exertional malaise, and fever. Long COVID also can impact the heart, respiratory system, and digestion, as well as cause neurological symptoms, joint pain, and changes in menstrual cycles.

Shortness of breath

Shortness of breath, clinically referred to as dyspnea, is the sensation of not being able to get enough air to breathe. It can be caused by a variety of things. Shortness of breath is most commonly associated with respiratory diseases, heart conditions, broken or injured ribs, acute anxiety and panic attacks, or anemia.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is believed that your skin is a mirror to your internal health. This means that imbalances in your body that disrupt the natural flow of Qi may often manifest as skin disorders. Acupuncture provides a holistic approach to treating the root causes of your skin troubles through the manipulation of points along your meridians. The anti-inflammatory properties of acupuncture also help to relieve symptoms such as redness or itchiness caused by many skin conditions, as well as promote faster healing of sores.

Eczema

Eczema is a non-contagious skin condition that causes dry and itchy patches of skin with raised bumps to form. It is a type of dermatitis and can affect people of all ages. Common triggers for eczema flare ups are dry weather, certain types of soaps and detergents, makeup or skincare products, stress, or coming into physical contact with known allergens.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin condition that causes inflammation in your skin. This is a chronic skin condition and is caused by an over-reactive immune system mistaking healthy cells for foreign invaders. Symptoms include patches of red, scaly skin that are itchy and sometimes raised.

Shingles

Shingles is a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox in children. It causes a painful rash that can occur anywhere on your body. Typically, it will look like a single stripe of blisters that wraps around on side of your torse. It may also be accompanied by fever, headache, sensitivity to light, or fatigue. Anyone who has had chickenpox may experience shingles later in life caused by a reactivation of the virus, although it is not guaranteed.

Cold sores

Cold sores are small blisters that form on your lips or around your mouth and are caused by the herpes simplex virus. They are contagious through direct contact, and do tend to reoccur, although not for everyone. Flare ups can be caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy or menstruation, sunburns, extreme hot or cold, stress, fatigue, fever or illness, or from damaged or dry lips.

Acne

Acne is a long-term skin condition where dead skin cells and oil from the skin clog pores and hair follicles. The areas that are most commonly affected by acne are the face, upper chest, and back, but it can occur anywhere the skin tends to get very oily. While acnes is most known to affect teenagers, adults will also experience this skin condition. Pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads are all considered symptoms of acne.

Urticaria

Urticaria, more commonly known as hives, is a type of skin rash with raised and itchy, red bumps that can appear anywhere on the body. Hives are a reaction to irritants and allergens. These triggers include foods like peanuts and shellfish, certain medications, insect stings or bites, latex, blood transfusions, pet dander, and pollen.

Athlete’s foot

Tinea pedis, the clinical term for athlete’s foot, is a skin condition affecting the foot. It is a chronic superficial fungal infection that occurs between your toes and on the soles of your feet. This is a contagious infection that occurs when wearing constrictive footwear for long periods of time, sharing shoes, or from walking around barefoot at communal pools or showers.

Pruritus

Pruritus is the medical term for itching. It refers to a sensation on the skin making you want to scratch. The most common cause is dry skin, but it can also be a symptom of another skin condition, rash, or allergic reaction. Prolonged scratching can irritate the skin, causing raised, red bumps or open sores that can bleed and become infected.

Acupuncture is a non-invasive treatment that does not require ingesting anything. It should be perfectly safe to undergo the treatment while taking medications. In some cases, your acupuncturist may recommend taking certain traditional herbs to boost the effects of your treatment. These herbs may interfere with your medications, and you should consult with your doctor or pharmacist before taking them.

If you have concerns, it is important that you discuss them with your doctor and acupuncturist before undergoing the treatment.

Below, you’ll find some common terms that will help you better understand acupuncture treatment:

Qi

Qi, pronounced “chee”, is the fundamental or vital life energy that circulates through your body. Qi is the central underlying principle in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Jing

Jing is the Chinese word for “essence”. Jing is comprised of two parts: Yin, which is prenatal essence we receive from our birth parents; and Yang, which is essence we acquire as we move through life.

Shen

Shen is the spirit or presence of a person. It is associated with consciousness, the capacity of the mind to form thoughts, and the desire to live life.

Meridians

Meridians are the natural pathways in your body through which energy (Qi) flows. Meridians are also how all of the systems in your body are connected.

Acupoints

Acupoints are specific points along your meridians that when stimulated will correct the flow of Qi by removing stagnation and blockages. Each acupoint correlates to a specific system, organ, or body part.

TCM

TCM stands for Traditional Chinese Medicine. It’s a medical practice that has evolved over thousands of years. TCM views disease and illness as the result of imbalances of Qi and therefore good health relies on restoring and maintaining balance.

Whatever your health goals are, acupuncture can help you manage your symptoms and restore balance in your body, and your life. You’ll receive treatments that are tailored to your unique needs. Learn what to expect if it’s your first appointment.

Note: For an official diagnosis of any of the above conditions, you should speak with your healthcare provider.