Acupuncture Oshawa: Body Language Massage & Wellness

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Contemporary Medical Acupuncture

Contemporary Medical Acupuncture is a modern approach that integrates traditional acupuncture principles with knowledge from Western medicine. Developed as an evolution of traditional Chinese acupuncture, this technique incorporates a thorough understanding of anatomy, neurophysiology, and evidence-based medical practices. Practitioners of Contemporary Medical Acupuncture use fine needles to stimulate specific points on the body, emphasizing a scientific understanding of neural and musculoskeletal systems. Unlike traditional acupuncture, this approach often involves the application of acupuncture principles within a broader medical context, making it a sought-after modality for pain management, rehabilitation, and the treatment of various health conditions.

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What's the difference between Traditional and Contemporary Medical Acupuncture

Traditional Acupuncture: Rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, it is based on the concept of balancing the flow of Qi (energy) through meridians in the body. It often involves diagnosing and treating imbalances in the body's energy system.
Contemporary Medical Acupuncture: Integrates traditional acupuncture with current scientific knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and neurology. It emphasizes a more anatomical and evidence-based approach, focusing on the effects of acupuncture on the nervous system, connective tissues, and local tissue responses.

What can Contemporary Medical Acupuncture help with ?

The World Health Organization recognizes the use of acupuncture in the treatment of:

Sports related injuries and other movement disorders;
Musculoskeletal pain problems: neck pain, shoulder pain, low back pain, joint pain;
Chronic pain: headaches, sciatica, osteoarthritis, neuritis and facial pain;
Digestive disorders: irritable bowel, constipation, diarrhoea and gastritis;
Menstrual and reproductive problems: dysmenorrhea, perimenopausal symptoms and infertility;
Urinary tract disorders: prostatitis and bladder dysfunction;
Respiratory problems: sinusitis, asthma, sore throat and recurrent respiratory tract infections;
Stress related problems: addictions and post-traumatic stress disorder.

To learn more, speak with our practitioner today by calling 289-240-1899.

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Benefits of Contemporary Medical Acupuncture

Pain Management:
- Analgesic Effects: Acupuncture has been reported to have analgesic (pain-relieving) effects by stimulating the release of endorphins and other neurotransmitters that modulate pain perception.
- Chronic Pain: It may be beneficial in managing chronic pain conditions, such as back pain, osteoarthritis, and migraines.
Musculoskeletal Conditions:
- Muscle Tension and Spasms: Acupuncture may help alleviate muscle tension and spasms, making it useful for conditions like tension headaches and musculoskeletal disorders.
- Joint Disorders: It might be considered in the management of conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Neurological Conditions:
- Nerve Pain: Acupuncture may have a role in managing neuropathic pain, such as that associated with diabetic neuropathy or nerve compression syndromes.
- Neurotransmitter Modulation: The stimulation of acupuncture points may influence neurotransmitter levels, potentially impacting conditions like anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
Inflammation and Immune System Regulation:
- Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Some studies suggest that acupuncture may have anti-inflammatory effects, which can be beneficial for various inflammatory conditions.
- Immune System Modulation: Acupuncture may help modulate the immune system, potentially enhancing immune function.
Stress Reduction and Relaxation:
- Endorphin Release: Acupuncture is believed to stimulate the release of endorphins and promote a sense of relaxation and well-being, making it potentially useful for stress reduction.
- Autonomic Nervous System Regulation: It may influence the autonomic nervous system, helping to balance the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches.

Safety and adverse reactions

According to the scientific literature, acupuncture is one of the safest therapies in the hands of well-trained health care professionals. Occasionally, adverse reactions have been described after acupuncture therapy. An adverse reaction event is “any ill-effect, no matter how small, that is unintended and non-therapeutic”.

The number of these adverse reactions is very small in comparison to other medical interventions used to treat the same conditions, such as the administration of anti-inflammatory medications or the injections of corticosteroids.

In the last few years, twelve prospective studies surveying more than a million acupuncture treatments estimated the risk of a serious adverse event to be 0.05 per 10,000 treatments or 0.55 per 10,000 individual patients.

The most common adverse reactions attributable to acupuncture, reported in the medical literature include:

1Minor reactions: small bleeding at insertion site, pain or tenderness at administration site, bruising, transient aggravation of symptoms, transient headache, nausea, vomiting, local numbness, anxiety, dizziness, and occasional fainting (vaso-vagal reaction)
2Significant reactions: pneumothorax, peripheral nerve injury, vascular injuries, seizures, and miscellaneous infections such as endocarditis, skin, auricular chondritis, epidural abscess, etc.

Acupuncture Needles

Acupuncture needles are slender, metallic instruments used in the ancient therapeutic practice of acupuncture. Typically made of stainless steel, these needles vary in length and thickness. Unlike hypodermic needles, acupuncture needles are exceptionally fine and solid, designed for minimal tissue disruption and patient discomfort. The needles come in various lengths, usually ranging from half an inch to several inches, and their thickness can also vary.

Acupuncture needles are meticulously crafted with a smooth surface to facilitate gentle insertion into specific acupuncture points on the body. Practitioners follow precise guidelines for needle placement based on traditional acupuncture theories or contemporary medical principles. The goal of acupuncture is to stimulate these points, encouraging the body's natural healing processes.

As patients often experience minimal pain or discomfort during acupuncture sessions, the thinness and precision of acupuncture needles contribute to a relatively painless insertion process. It's important to note that acupuncture needles are single-use, disposable instruments, ensuring safety and hygiene in each treatment session.