Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a traditional form of Chinese medicine. In acupuncture, the theory is that chi, an energy, flows through your body along pathways.

Acupuncturists believe that blockages or imbalances in your chi cause illness and that acupuncture treatment helps restore balance.

During treatment, an acupuncturist will insert a thin needle into the skin to influence the flow of chi. Sometimes heat, pressure, or mild electrical current is applied to the acupuncture needles.

Acupuncture is commonly used to alleviate pain, including lower back pain and chronic pain associated with conditions like osteoarthritis or neck issues. Some people, often cancer patients, use acupuncture to relieve symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, pain, sleep problems and even neuropathy.  

Determining whether acupuncture hurts can be subjective, as pain tolerance varies among individuals. This is a common question about acupuncture.  

But the good news is, according to the Mayo Clinic, acupuncture needles are very thin, meaning treatments usually only cause mild discomfort. Often patients won’t feel the needle insertion at all, although this is not guaranteed.  

In general, acupuncture is safe when done by a certified acupuncturist. There are benefits to seeing a registered acupuncturist, as they have a license from a provincial regulatory board and follow practice guidelines, such as using sterilized needles to prevent infection.  

Acupuncture sessions can vary, ranging from twenty minutes to an hour. When you book your initial appointment, check with that clinic for more information.  

Everyone responds to acupuncture, but if your symptoms don’t begin to improve within a few weeks or sessions, you may find acupuncture is not a fit for you. 

You can use the WELL Clinics website to find an acupuncturist near you. Select the button below to book an acupuncture appointment.