Contemporary Medical Acupuncture
Contemporary Medical Acupuncture is a precise peripheral nerve stimulation technique. It is an adaptation of Chinese acupuncture using current knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology, and the principles of evidence based medicine. Single-use sterile acupuncture needles are inserted into specific anatomical sites and stimulated manually or with electricity.
The therapeutic purpose of Contemporary Medical Acupuncture is to regulate abnormal activity of the nervous system and/or the hormone (endocrine and exocrine) and immune systems, in pain syndromes, functional problems, and in certain diseases.
How does Contemporary Medical Acupuncture work?
The insertion of acupuncture needles into appropriate neuro-reactive sites of the human body with or without electrical stimulation is known to create reflex responses of the nervous system that can happen locally in the peripheral tissues, at the spinal level, and also in structures relating to the brain, brain stem, and cerebellum (in the central nervous system). Hormone (endocrine and exocrine) and immune systems also respond to acupuncture stimulation.
What is a Contemporary Medical Acupuncture treatment like?
Every acupuncture treatment is individualized to the patient’s clinical condition. General therapeutic goals of the acupuncture treatment are functional to help correct abnormal activity of the nervous system such as pain or nausea. These needles may be placed in acupuncture points away from the area of complaint. Specific therapeutic goals are focused more on the structures where the abnormal activity is taking place such as a specific joint, muscle, tendon, or nerve. These needles tend to be inserted closer to the area of complaint.
Treatment duration may vary from a few seconds in an uncomplicated case of recent onset, to up to 20-30 minutes. Treatments in some cases may be a one time intervention, daily treatment in some acute cases, to weekly or bi-weekly treatments for chronic cases, or monthly maintenance for nervous system “tune-ups.”
Contemporary Medical Acupuncture is often used as a therapeutic modality along with other chiropractic techniques such as adjustments, soft tissue work, or rehabilitation.
Common conditions that can be helped with Acupuncture:
Information adapted from McMaster University Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program
The therapeutic purpose of Contemporary Medical Acupuncture is to regulate abnormal activity of the nervous system and/or the hormone (endocrine and exocrine) and immune systems, in pain syndromes, functional problems, and in certain diseases.
How does Contemporary Medical Acupuncture work?
The insertion of acupuncture needles into appropriate neuro-reactive sites of the human body with or without electrical stimulation is known to create reflex responses of the nervous system that can happen locally in the peripheral tissues, at the spinal level, and also in structures relating to the brain, brain stem, and cerebellum (in the central nervous system). Hormone (endocrine and exocrine) and immune systems also respond to acupuncture stimulation.
What is a Contemporary Medical Acupuncture treatment like?
Every acupuncture treatment is individualized to the patient’s clinical condition. General therapeutic goals of the acupuncture treatment are functional to help correct abnormal activity of the nervous system such as pain or nausea. These needles may be placed in acupuncture points away from the area of complaint. Specific therapeutic goals are focused more on the structures where the abnormal activity is taking place such as a specific joint, muscle, tendon, or nerve. These needles tend to be inserted closer to the area of complaint.
Treatment duration may vary from a few seconds in an uncomplicated case of recent onset, to up to 20-30 minutes. Treatments in some cases may be a one time intervention, daily treatment in some acute cases, to weekly or bi-weekly treatments for chronic cases, or monthly maintenance for nervous system “tune-ups.”
Contemporary Medical Acupuncture is often used as a therapeutic modality along with other chiropractic techniques such as adjustments, soft tissue work, or rehabilitation.
Common conditions that can be helped with Acupuncture:
- Shoulder Pain
- Back Pain
- Sciatica
- Knee Pain
- Hip Pain
- Neck Pain
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Achilles Tendinitis
- Golfer/Tennis Elbow
- Trigger Points
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Strains and Sprains
- Shin Splints
- Ankle Sprains
- Sports Injuries
- Swelling and Inflammation
- And many more
Information adapted from McMaster University Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program