Acupuncture

Acupuncture is one of our important and powerful modalities in Naturopathic Medicine. It also happens to be one of my favourite.

as most of you may know... acupuncture is an ancient form of medicine originally used in Asia that is now becoming more popular in the western world... and for very good reason.

The theory behind acupuncture in Chinese medicine (in a very very simplified form) is this:

• our bodies have various channels called meridians

• these meridians run through different areas of our body

• they also correspond to different organ systems (heart, stomach, liver, etc)

• these meridians contain energy, known as “Qi” that flows through them

• the flow of Qi through our meridians is the foundation of our health

• these meridians can be disrupted and become over or under active

• this results in an imbalance in our body leading to negative health outcomes

• acupuncture is used to balance these meridians and restore health

• the points are based on the meridians and where they flow through the body

What else does acupuncture do?

• brings blood flow to an area to allow for healing

• regulate our nervous system

• bring us into a more parasympathetic (relaxed) state

• releases muscle tension and pain

Areas of research that acupuncture is being studied in:

• chronic pain

• back pain

• headaches

• fertility

• anxiety

• depression

• insomnia

• irritable bowel syndrome

• inflammatory bowel disease

• rheumatoid arthritis

• osteoarthritis

• seasonal allergies

• high blood pressure

• nausea in cancer therapy

• nausea in pregnancy