Acupuncture Treatments; What to Expect

Most patients are naturally anxious and uncertain when they first decide to try acupuncture. We would like to help allay some of these fears. Some patients ask about whether acupuncture is safe. Today's disposable stainless steel needles are very safe and effective in the hands of a properly trained practitioner. We use only single use, disposable needles. Each of our practitioners have at least two degrees in acupuncture and TCM, a bachelors degree and an advanced degree, from internationally recognized Universities, followed by at least 25 years of clinical experience.

Most people find acupuncture treatments to be very relaxing. It might surprise you to know that many patients do not even feel the needles once inserted. This can be easily explained though, as needles may be thinner than a human hair and may be inserted quite superficially, as little as 1-2mm in fact. Other patients feel a dull or heavy sensation at the point of needle insertion, and sometimes along the meridian that is being stimulated.

After your initial consultation and diagnosis, the practitioner will know exactly what acupuncture points require needling. These points often change from treatment to treatment as your treatment progresses.

Often between 10-15 needles can be inserted during a single treatment, although that number may be more or less depending on many factors. Once inserted it is important to limit any body movements. On average, the needles will be left in for about 20 minutes. The practitioner always returns to remove the needles and ensure your comfort. The practitioner will sometimes re-stimulate the points by manipulating the needles while they are inserted. This process is usually not even felt by the patient. In fact, most of our patients report drifting into sleep or dream states during the treatment. To enhance the relaxing effect of your treatment, you may request a short shiatsu massage at the conclusion of your acupuncture treatment for a small additional fee.

There is no set number of treatments required to treat a disorder, as each person responds differently to treatment. The practitioner will assess you at the beginning of each treatment to learn how you are responding and make any changes or recommendations to the number and frequency of required visits. Please read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section for more information.

Competing Acupuncture Theories

The mechanisms to explain why acupuncture works are varied. In Asia, acupuncture theory states that each person’s vital life force, or Qi (pronounced chee), circulates throughout the body in energy pathways called meridians. Disease manifests when Qi becomes weakened or out of balance. Western medical research has attempted to explain in its own terms why acupuncture is so effective, but has only managed a partial explanation. Even though western research has not produced a full explanation and research continues to this day, many hospitals have adopted acupuncture to treat a variety of disorders.

In traditional terms, acupuncture is the practice of correcting the flow of Qi by inserting sterile, slender, solid, stainless steel needles into designated points on the body along meridians. Total Wellness Centre uses only single use, disposable, sterile needles.

Please read our more complete history of acupuncture.

What Conditions Respond to Acupuncture?
Acupuncture treats a wide variety of disorders. The World Health Organization recommends and lists over forty diseases that acupuncture can treat effectively. The following is a partial list of the most common ailments which respond well to acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine.  

We are hesitant to list specific disorders as we have done above. This is because Traditional Oriental Medicine focuses primarily on the person, and secondarily on the illness. TCM, as a system of diagnosis and treatment, usually views your symptoms, the main complaint for which you seek treatment, as a 'branch' expression of an underlying or 'root' imbalance. Doctors of TCM use specific diagnostic principles and techniques to understand and ultimately treat the root imbalance in the person seeking treatment.

Once it is understood what the root imbalance is, a treatment plan is prescribed to address both the root and the branch. In certain circumstances, symptoms may be so severe that at least at the outset, they must be the exclusive focus of the treatment. However, the goal of TCM is to treat both the root and branch in the same session. Often the Doctor will make lifestyle suggestions in addition to an acupuncture treatment. These lifestyle suggestions aim to treat the root imbalance.

Most of our patients are very well informed about their disorders, at least in terms of Western medicine. They understand all patients with the same diagnosis will receive the same treatment. However, this is where TCM often diverges from Western medicine. Different root imbalances can produce the same symptoms or patient complaints. So, for example, five patients with infertility, or even more specifically endometriosis, may all present themselves with the same symptoms or Western Medical diagnosis. However, by Chinese medical diagnosis, the patients may be found to have five distinct root imbalances hiding behind the same symptomatic expression. According to TCM, these five patients would all receive very different treatment, despite the fact that the symptoms for which they seek treatment all appear to be the same.

For further reading on the subject of acupuncture we recommend the book Acupuncture for Everyone, by Dr. Ruth Kidson. This book is available for sale in our clinic, or by phone or email. We can arrange to have a copy delivered to you.

Many insurance companies cover a portion of the cost of acupuncture. Be sure to check with your plan administrator for details.





We use only single use, disposable, sterile needles. Your safety is our greatest concern.