FAQs - Bolton Acupuncture | Natural, Targeted Healing

While acupuncture is an effective way to feel results quickly, the number of treatments needed will vary from person to person. For many people, one or two treatments may be all that’s needed. For others, who may have more complex underlying conditions, a series of treatments may be required over several weeks; and for some cases, treatments scattered over a course of months.

For instance, most patients with pain issues experience noticeable improvement during their initial appointment, and for may full resolution of their pain in 1-2 sessions. Others may need a series of treatments to help repair more complex issues. Many infertility patients may become fertile within as little as 2-6 sessions, but may be asked not to conceive for another 12+ sessions while treatments strengthen their bodies to optimize full term pregnancy and the health of the baby. It really depends on what your body requires to heal itself. The good news is that treatments are specifically designed to promote healing with maximum efficiency, so you should feel improvement in your health along the way.

One important point to note: Scheduling treatments close together in time is acceptable, but having them too far apart is not advised. Just as you would with medication, it os recommended that you complete your whole course of treatments in order to achieve the maximum benefit of acupuncture therapy.

What, you’re tired of me already? Well you’re in luck —  No, you don’t have to keep coming back. Once the root cause of your imbalance has been properly addressed, you’re good to go!

It is, however, advisable to make Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture therapy a main staple in your primary healthcare to promote optimal health through detection, prevention and guidance.

Many of my patients choose to come back for regular checkups and include acupuncture in their regular healthcare regimen, and others, when a new problem arises. So, whether you need one issue or multiple issues treated today, next year or throughout your lifetime, I’m here for you whenever you need a helping hand!

While traditional acupuncture is virtually painless, some people—especially children—may be a little apprehensive. It is with these people in mind that this clinic offers an alternative to needles.

Acupuncture points can be accessed and manipulated by a variety of methods other than needles, as listed below.

NEURO-MECHANICAL ACUPUNCTURE ( ELECTRO-THERAPY)
This therapy applies concentrated, low-frequency stimulation to acupuncture points. It is an alternative to most clinical acupuncture, and works especially well on the neuromusculoskeletal (nerve, muscle, joints and bone) system. It can be used to treat conditions such as arthritis, spinal injury, bursitis, nerve damage, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, and general pain or inflammation of nerves, muscle joints and bone.

TUINA (CHINESE MASSAGE)
Tuina is a complex medical massage used to heal muscle and joint disorders, stimulate blood flow, reduce fluid buildup, and improve tissue health. Through purposeful manipulation, the body's energy (Qi) is acted upon in order to treat disease and to prevent illness by building up immunity. Tuina treatment also promotes general relaxation and stress reduction. Tuina massage is effective for conditions such as edema, frozen shoulder, joint injuries, back strain, headache, and children's disorders such as night terrors, colic, nightmares, anxiety, bedwetting and colds.

This clinic generally reserves Tuina for infants, children and pregnant women.

AURICULOTHERAPY
Auriculotherapy is the practice of inserting needles (or in the case of non-invasive technique, small stainless steel, gold or silver beads) at specific points on the ear in order to address excesses or deficiencies within the body.

Auriculotherapy can increase immunity, restore vitality, improve relaxation, and allow mind and body to work in harmony. Children especially enjoy this method of treatment, as the beads are left in for up to one week, allowing them to show off their “ear jewelry" to friends.

Auriculotherapy has beneficial results for such conditions as addiction (tobacco, alcohol, drugs, food compulsions), asthma, pain, depression, allergies, anxiety/panic attacks, headache/migraine, high blood pressure, sleep disorders, and PMS symptoms.

THERAPEUTIC LASER
This type of healing replaces the acupuncture needle with a low level laser beam. There is absolutely no sensation felt by the patient, and on children, is almost as effective as standard acupuncture. In certain circumstances, parents may borrow a laser from the clinic to provide home care for their children.

There are also additional advantages such as increased healing time for damaged tissue, increased circulation, reduced inflammation, stimulation of new cell growth, and reduction of fibrous tissue formation. Therapeutic laser has shown impressive results for such conditions as burns, fevers, scarring, ulcers, fever blisters , skin disorders, and childrens' disorders such as night terrors, colic, nightmares, anxiety, bedwetting and colds.

INFRARED THERAPY
Far-infrared therapy has deep penetrating power, using a healing form of electromagnetic energy like that of the Sun. The Sun's energy is essential to all living things and a deficiency can manifest itself in a multitude of disorders.

Application of infrared energy allows the body to absorb it into deep tissue. The body responds by eliminating toxins, reducing acidity in the body, improving circulation, balancing metabolism and improving cellular vitality by increasing available oxygen to the cells. Infrared therapy works especially well on inflammation and, in conjunction with standard acupuncture treatment, can increase the healing response, especially in chronic conditions.

This therapy is used for such conditions as: headaches/migraines, weight loss, muscular pain, skin lesions, fatigue, stomach ulcers, gastrointestinal disorders, poor circulation, and bronchitis.

CUPPING
Cupping encourages circulation of Qi (energy) and blood in the body. It is used to eliminate toxins from the organs and draws impurities through the pores. For the treatment of sports-type injuries, it is used to move and energize stagnant blood so that calcium and mineral deposits in the joints are minimized. This type of therapy is used in the treatment of colds, acne, sports injuries, pain, coughs, stress, tension, and women's health issues.

MOXIBUSTION
Moxibustion (Moxa) is the use of a dried herb (Mugwort), burned over specific acupuncture points on the body to provide warmth and facilitate healing. Moxa has been proven to increase white blood cell count, increase digestive function, increase blood platelets. It is generally used to treat areas of the body which require warmth.

Moxibustion is used for such conditions as hypothyroidism, arthritis, diarrhea, cramps and fatigue.

ACUPRESSURE
Sometimes mistaken for Tuina massage, Acupressure is a method of applying pressure by hand, elbow or specific devices, to acupuncture points. Acupressure is the most effective treatment for home-care of tension-related disorders, as it alleviates stress, relaxes the mind, increases circulation and promotes healing. Although not as rapidly-acting as acupuncture, it is effective on most disorders which are treated by the usage of needles.

Acupressure is effective for treating ailments such as nausea, muscular pain, asthma attacks, swelling, tension, eyestrain, sinusitis, headache and fatigue.

No. Although it is both an alternative to North American healthcare and is holistic (by treating the whole body), Traditional Chinese Medicine is recognized and classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an independent medical system unto itself!

As it is the only medical system in the world that uses the powerful balancing qualities of Yin and Yang to promote natural health, in 2014, the WHO released a ten-year strategy that aims to integrate Traditional

Chinese Medicine into modern medical care! The goal of the WHO is to effectively promote education on the Yin/Yang theory of balance –across the globe-and finally achieve universal understanding and recognition of Traditional Chinese Medicine as a powerful, efficient and effective healthcare system.

Want to learn more about Yin and Yang? Click here

While acupuncture is not yet covered under OHIP, it’s a good possibility that it is covered by your personal or group insurance plan. Many insurance providers across Ontario now offer coverage for Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments. The easiest way to find out if you are eligible for service reimbursement is to simply give your insurance provider a call: if they cover therapy by a Registered Acupuncturist — you should be covered!