Acupuncture is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), an ancient practice aimed at supporting a smooth flow of energy throughout the body in order to achieve balance.
What's so great about it? Well...
1. No homework for patients - what's done in the office, stays in the office - reap the benefits once you leave, without having to cut out gluten, remember to take your supplements, dry brush your skin or even exercise.
2. Have yourself a relaxing acunap - Get treated therapeutically with ancient, powerful healing wisdom, while zenning & zoning out to sweet music & low light while safe in the hands of your skilled ND
3. Covered by extended health care benefits - if you have Naturopathic Coverage - this works for when we perform acupuncture too
4. So dang effective. For real. How quickly? Number of treatments really depends on your concern. Complaints that can potentially resolve entirely in just one in-office acupuncture treatment:
Plantar Fasciitis
Headache
Migraine
Dizziness
Sinus pain
Asthma attack
Sciatica
Acute pain
Acute anxiety
Conditions where we generally recommend 6-8 treatments (although relief can begin with the first):
Chronic Pain
Regulating Menses
Improving Fertility
Alleviating Perimenopause/Menopausal Symptoms
Improve Mood
Increase Energy
Improve Sleep
Also very effective for preparing your body for labour - generally we like to start at about 36 weeks gestation and perform treatments weekly until delivery. Research on the use of acupuncture to prepare for labour began in the 1970s and continues today. These studies show that weekly acupuncture treatments from 37 weeks gestation are successful at reducing duration of each stage of labour - and really, who doesn't want that? The need for medical inductions is reduced, especially in women having their first baby, as well as a decrease in the need for epidurals and emergency Caesarean sections in people who are treated with acupuncture weekly prior to labour. All the good things.
Acupuncture helps increase blood flow to the uterus, encouraging cervical dilation, releasing endorphins and also, the ever helpful relaxation of the pregnant person which all support and encourage spontaneous labour. It can also help ensure baby is in the optimal position for birth which assists in making a more efficient labour and reducing the likelihood of back labour.
Anything on these lists giving you trouble? Don’t suffer. Get help. Acupuncture is so very effective, it would be a shame not to try it!