ACUPUNCTURE

Acupuncture – a branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), dates back 3-5000 years ago, continues to grow in recognition today. Acupuncture activates your body’s self-healing mechanisms through the placement of tiny sterile single-use needles into specific acupoints on the body, face, ears, or scalp.

This stimulates your immune & endocrine systems, improving circulation and unblocking stagnant energy so that your body can begin to heal and find its balance.

Because acupuncture works by helping your body to heal itself, many conditions can benefit from this treatment. From pain to chronic illness and everything in between, this ancient medicine proves itself to not only be effective but also a sustainable option for healthcare in our modern world.

Appointments include a consultation and assessment including a tongue and pulse diagnosis in order to create a personalized treatment plan. Once your points are placed you are left to rest for a 30-minute “acu-nap”. Your treatments may also include TCM modalities such as cupping, gua sha, e-stim, moxibustion, tuina massage, Chinese dietary therapy & lifestyle advice.

CONDITIONS  TREATED

  • INJURIES
  • ACUTE OR CHRONIC PAIN
  • HEADACHES & MIGRAINES
  • INSOMNIA & FATIGUE
  • STRESS & BURNOUT
  • ANXIETY & DEPRESSION
  • DIGESTIVE ISSUES
  • CHRONIC ILLNESS
  • ALLERGIES & ASTHMA
  • HORMONE IMBALANCE & FERTILITY

From acute injuries to chronic pain, acupuncture can be your go-to treatment for injury recovery and/or pain management. Acupuncture has been shown to increase the production of your body’s natural pain relievers like opioids and corticosteroids to control pain and enhance the healing process.

Studies show that acupuncture actually slows the body’s production of stress hormones and stimulates the release of feel-good hormones like endorphins and oxytocin, having a protective effect against your body’s response to stress. From day-to-day stress to anxiety and/or depressive disorders, many people are beginning to turn to acupuncture as part of their care plan and getting impressive, lasting results.

From menstruation to menopause, acupuncture has been shown to positively affect women’s health issues by targeting hormonal imbalances and regulating the menstrual cycle. Acupuncture also helps reduce prenatal symptoms like morning sickness and is an effective treatment to prepare for labor.

MODALITIES THAT MAY BE INCLUDED IN YOUR ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENTS:

Placement of tiny needles on your body, face, scalp, arms, and/or legs to release tension and restore energetic flow.

Moxibustion is the practice of burning the herb mugwort over the surface of the skin at acupuncture points or areas of the body. This is done to introduce a deeply warming, moving, and supportive energy to the body. Moxa application can be used for many things, like pain, digestion, fertility, and reproductive system issues, immune system support, allergies, and sinus issues, fatigue, and so on.

Gua Sha involves gliding a round-edged instrument, in strokes, over the surface of the skin resulting in the appearance of small red patches called ‘sha’ that will fade in 2 to 3 days. Raising Sha resolves blood stagnation which promotes normal circulation and metabolic processes locally. Gua Sha benefits the immune system, improves upper respiratory and digestive health, relieves local muscle pain and tension, and is a fantastic technique to help break down scar tissue from old injuries.

Using focused light to activate acupuncture points as well as treat local sites of pain or injury without the use of needles to reduce pain, and inflammation and accelerate healing.

Cupping is a TCM treatment modality that uses suction to release myofascial (note: muscles and fascia) restrictions and moves congested blood and body fluids in the tissue, bringing it to the surface where it can be circulated more efficiently. This promotes newly oxygenated blood to flow into the area, relieving tension and reducing pain. The benefits of cupping include relieving muscular pain and tension, as well as promoting immune, respiratory, digestive, and reproductive health.

Placing tiny clips to acupuncture needles and emitting a gentle healing electric current supercharge your treatment. E-Stim is especially beneficial to relieve pain, speed injury recovery and improve muscle function in sports acupuncture treatments.

ACU FAQs:

No, it shouldn’t be painful, but you might feel a slight sting or pinch on some points, but it’s a quickly passing discomfort. You are always encouraged to give us feedback so that we can make any necessary adjustments and ensure you are as comfortable as possible throughout your visit.

You might notice some localized or traveling sensations like tingles, achiness, coolness, warmth, tension, and/or twitching. These sensations often occur when we find the right spot (we call this De Qi) and they might also come and go throughout your time on the table.

Feel-good hormones that are responsible for pain relief, improved mood, feelings of wellbeing, increased alertness, memory, deep rest, and calm are released, so once your points start cooking you should expect to feel relaxed for the duration of your treatment.

Tiny! Our acupuncture needles are quite close to the thickness of human hair and we use different lengths depending on the area being treated. For context, about 22 acupuncture needles fit into the tip of a hypodermic needle! We tailor our needle choice depending on the size and sensitivity level of each patient.

Acupuncture has few risks if it is provided by a qualified professional who has been educated and trained according to the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners & Acupuncturists of British Columbia (CTCMA). The most common side effects of acupuncture include bleeding, soreness, or bruising at the site of needle insertion.

Acupuncture is believed to activate the central nervous system, causing a release of chemicals that produce biochemical changes to stimulate the body’s natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional well-being. In treatments for injuries and pain, we are able to directly affect the involved structures which can help to relax the tight and restricted tissues, active the weak ones, and invigorate the blood flow which will allow your body to heal, reset, and find balance.

Anything! Well, almost. Acupuncture works by helping your body to heal itself, and so, many conditions can benefit from this treatment. As long as it doesn’t require emergency care, it’s possible that acupuncture can help! The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes the benefit of acupuncture for over 100 different conditions including pain, many women’s health complaints, infertility, mental & emotional conditions, motor vehicle accidents & sports injuries, anxiety, depression, and stress.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Britt is so knowledgeable, by far the best RMT in Whistler! I always look forward to my appointments.

Sound advice and excellent work. Britt has been treating me for a few years, and she not only provides excellent bodywork but also takes the time to (a) listen to you and (b) explain what is happening. I highly recommend her.

I’ve been seeing Britt for a while and she has by far been the best and most effective RMT. Highly recommended!!

Britt is amazing. She asks the right questions to figure out what you don’t even know you need. Two big thumbs up!