FAQs

Acupuncture

  • Acupuncture works by stimulating your bodies own healing process.

    It stimulates specific points on the body that have high concentrations of nerve endings, triggering biochemical and physiological changes in the body.

    From a Chinese Medicine perspective, there are meridians that run along the body, and inside them energy (Qi) flows. This energy can become blocked or stagnant, causing an imbalance of Yin + Yang, and this is when illnesses and disharmonies can arise.

    Acupuncture works by reestablishing the flow of Qi along these meridians, harmonizing the body and restoring the delicate balance of Yin + Yang.

  • That depends on the individual and how long the health issues have been happening for. Acute issues can usually be resolved in a couple of treatments, while chronic issues will typically take a bit longer to resolve and may need a couple of months.

  • It shouldn’t. That doesn’t mean you won’t feel it though. “Deqi” refers to a feeling a patient gets when the needle inserted has activated Qi on an acupuncture point. This feeling is often the goal during the treatment.

    Some common sensations you can experience during a treatment are: pressure, heaviness, dull ache, tingling, and warmth.

    Once Qi is activated, it can do what is needed in the body to assist healing.

  • Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to treat many illnesses and ailments of the body + mind, such as: digestion, pain, skin complaints, cold and flu symptoms, sleep, allergies, headaches, stress + anxiety, women's health issues including PMS, infertility, PCOS, endometriosis, menopause, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea and so much more!

  • I recommend having a small meal about 30-60 minutes before any acupuncture treatments and to wear loose fitting clothes to the appointment, other than that – come as you are :)

  • Yes, absolutely! There are certain points on the body that are contraindicated during pregnancy but acupuncture can be very helpful in treating morning sickness, fatigue, sleep issues and many other ailments you can experience during pregnancy, as well as preparation for labour at the end!

Cupping

  • Cupping is a Traditional Chinese Medicine modality that involves cups being suctioned onto an area of the body with fire. Cups are either moved around or placed stationary and left on for a certain amount of time decided by the practitioner, depending on what is being treated.

  • Cupping has lots of different benefits including releasing muscle tension, improving circulation, breaking up knots, removing toxins, draining lymph nodes, and fighting colds + flus. It is very beneficial for anyone dealing with old injuries or anyone just wanting to relax the muscles.

  • Cupping works by bringing old stagnant blood to the surface so that new blood can be produced and supplied to the area.

  • During a treatment, you can feel some tightness from the suction of the cups but it's very relaxing and calming. It can feel similar to a massage but instead of pressing into the tension, it is pulling it up and out.

  • It is common to have marks left on the skin that resemble a bruise after a cupping session that can last for up to a week, depending on each individual. Not everyone will have marks left on the skin.

    The marks left behind indicate old stagnant blood that has been brought to the surface and new blood will be replacing it. As time goes on and the area starts to heal and feel better, the marks will become lighter and disappear.

  • Cupping can provide immediate relief and the marks left behind should not be painful. Sometimes people can experience some slight tenderness depending on how tight the cups were suctioned, but this is not common. I always communicate with my patients during treatment to make sure they are comfortable.

Moxibustion

  • Moxibustion is commonly practiced in Traditional Chinese Medicine used for a variety of health conditions. It involves burning moxa, a cone or stick made of ground mugwort leaves, on or near your body’s meridians and acupuncture points. Burning moxa doesn’t actually touch your skin. Instead, it is held about an inch from your body then removed once your skin becomes red and warm.

  • The heat helps stimulate acupuncture points and improves the flow of qi (energy) in your body. According to traditional Chinese medicine practices, this increased qi circulation can help with a range of health issues, from chronic pain to digestive troubles.

  • When moxa is applied over acupuncture points it has a warming sensation. I always ask my patients to let me know if it feels too hot near the skin and then I pull it away to where its comfortable for them

  • Moxa is found to be useful for conditions such as gastrointestinal issues, fatigue, menstrual cramps, pain from arthritis, joint or muscle pain, cancer-related nausea, urinary incontinence, fertility, eczema and cold + flu prevention.

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