WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE?

Acupuncture is a Chinese medicine used for over 5000 years in Eastern countries and around the world. In Quebec, the Acupuncture Act defines it as “a traditional oriental method whose purpose is to improve health or relieve pain”.

This medicine supposes the existence of a vital energy, essential to life, circulating throughout the body and carried by a network of channels called meridians. If the energy flows smoothly, there is balance and health.

On the other hand, the flow of energy can be slowed down or blocked by several factors such as stress, poor nutrition, emotions, trauma, climatic variations and environmental factors, leading to fatigue, pain or other symptoms.

During the evaluation, the acupuncturist will use a detailed questionnaire that will give him information on every aspect of health. He will make observations at the level of the tongue and the body, proceed to take the different pulse and the palpation of certain strategic points of the body located on the meridians. The clinical reasoning of the acupuncturist is therefore based both on an ancient millennial tradition and on the physical, human and biological sciences.

The treatment consists in stimulating with very fine needles certain points having a particular therapeutic function, this in order to restart the blocked energy. The introduction of the needle recalls the sensation of a mosquito bite, lasts only a fraction of a second and leaves no mark. That said, the acupuncturist is on the lookout for any discomfort, if any, and knows how to fix it.

Although it may seem surprising to new patients, the sedative effect of acupuncture often causes the person to relax during treatment. If necessary, to complete the effects of treatment, the acupuncturist may require a complementary process such as electrical stimulation, laser or cupping.

Since April 1, 2003 the use of disposable needles are mandatory. In addition, they are sterile and are destroyed according to the biomedical waste destruction protocol established by the Order of Acupuncturists of Quebec (OAQ). In short, this practice eliminates any risk of disease transmission.

MUSCULOSKELETAL

• Back pain.
• Sprains.
• Tendonitis.
• Plantar Fasciitis.
• Heel spur (Lenoir’s thorn).
• Capsulitis.
• Cervical pain.
• Carpal tunnel.
• Sports injuries.
• Etc.

INTERNAL DISORDERS

• General: anxiety, irritability, stress, insomnia, headache, nausea, smoking, etc.
• Respiratory: chronic flu and colds, bronchitis, sinusitis, asthma, seasonal allergies, etc.
• Circulatory: hypertension, numbness, spasm, heavy legs, etc.
• Gastrointestinal: digestive disorders, ulcers, gastric reflux, heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, nausea.
• Urogenital: urinary infections, cystitis, prostatitis, etc.
• Gynecological: PMS, menstrual disorders (irregular or painful menstrual cycles), dysmenorrhea, pre-menopause, pregnancy and postpartum follow-up, infertility, impotence, etc.
• Dermal: acne, eczema, psoriasis, urticaria, etc.

The acupuncturist is a frontline worker, that is to say, that it is possible to consult directly, without being referred by a doctor. However, the accuracy of a particular diagnosis or problem by a health professional can be very helpful for the acupuncturist in developing a treatment plan.

• Since 1995, the profession has been governed by the Ordre des acupuncteurs du Québec . Our acupuncturists are all members of this professional order since, in Quebec, only members of the Order of Acupuncturists of Quebec have the right to use the title of acupuncturist and to practice acupuncture.
• The World Health Organization, of which Canada is a member, officially recognizes acupuncture as an effective medicine in the treatment of many diseases.
• The training is regulated and is offered only at Collège de Rosemont and includes chapters in Chinese medicine and Western medicine (anatomy, physiology, pathology).