Acupuncture is a tool from traditional Chinese Medicine that dates back approximately 3000 years. It has since been developed further into the safe and standardized practice we see today.
Recently, acupuncture has become increasingly more popular as a treatment method for Western practitioners. The idea is that disease, stress, and injury affect the body’s natural flow of “Qi energy”, thereby making the flow stagnant. This flow typically is distributed along channels, known as “meridians”.
Acupuncture needles are inserted at key points along these meridians to allow for improved flow of Qi and thus restoring the body’s natural response to healing.
Commonly, a body is treated for its broken parts; Acupuncture treats the body as a whole system. This is why acupuncture needles are often distributed throughout the body and not just in the area of injury.
The Canadian Physiotherapy Association recognizes acupuncture as an effective tool in the treatment of acute and chronic conditions, including, but not limited to, osteoarthritis, headaches, shoulder pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, stroke rehabilitation, and respiratory conditions.
