How does acupuncture work?

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Contemporary acupuncture is used as an adjunctive therapy in the management of conditions causing dysfunction of the spine, joints, and nervous system.  Traditional acupuncture points are used to access nerves and correct pain and dysfunction through a process called “neuromodulation”.

Local effects of neuromodulation cause relaxation of muscles and increased blood flow, enhancing your body’s own natural healing process.  If we think of the brain and spinal cord each containing a map of the entire body, we can appreciate that everything occurring on the surface of the body (such as sticking a needle into the skin) also occurs in the spinal cord and the brain.  Signals are carried to the spinal cord through nerves that are accessed by the acupuncture needle.  In the spinal cord, a reflex occurs that results in the blocking of pain signals and the normalization of muscle activity.  The brain receives similar signals and sends messages back down to the spinal cord to further interfere with incoming pain signals.  The brain is also involved in initiating more widespread effects throughout the entire body.   

The practise of contemporary acupuncture involves assessing a problem from three perspectives. 

1. Locally dysfunctional muscles and joints are targeted by the insertion of needles near the local nerves supply. 
2. Points adjacent to the spine are selected to affect nerves as they exit the spinal column to innervate the dysfunctional muscles and joints.  This focus on the spine and the function of the nervous system creates a harmonious partnership between contemporary acupuncture and chiropractic care. 
3. Finally, traditional systemic regulatory points are selected based on their ability to affect the body’s overall response such as relaxation, pain relief, and enhanced visceral function. 

Training and Education
Contemporary Medical Acupuncture is taught through a post-graduate program offered at McMaster University that is designed specifically for health professionals who treat pain or loss of function in relation to muscles, joints, and the nervous system.  This program meets the standards of the World Health Organization and is recognized by the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, the American Board of Medical Acupuncture, and the College of Chiropractors of Ontario.
What to Expect

On your first visit, a complete assessment will be performed.  The patient will be given the opportunity to describe the evolution of their complaint in detail and address any other pertinent concerns.  A physical examination will be performed involving a full orthopaedic and functional examination of the area as well as any other relevant areas of the body.  The focus of the evaluation is on function, looking for weak muscles, joints that aren’t moving properly, and indications of dysfunction in the nervous system.  From the information gathered during the initial assessment, a plan of management will be communicated to the patient including a mixture of acupuncture and chiropractic management.  Acupuncture points are selected to target the nerves innervating structures that are found to be dysfunctional during the examination .  Treatment involves cleaning the skin with alcohol, gently touching the area to find the acupuncture point, and insertion of the needle.  Acupuncture needles are extremely thin and are inserted in a manner such that the patient should not feel pain, although some areas are more sensitive than others.  Needles may be hooked up to electricity to enhance the effect of the treatment.  Total treatment time is about 25 minutes. 

Commonly Treated Conditions
Acupuncture is indicated in the management of all acute and chronic conditions affecting function of the muscles, joints, and nervous system.  Where there is a reversible loss of function, acupuncture may be able to enhance recovery; whereas in cases of non-reversible functional loss, acupuncture may help manage symptoms and optimize the body’s resources for compensation.  Commonly treated conditions include:

1. Back and neck pain
2. Muscle and tendon injuries
3. Arthritis
4. Sports-related injuries
5. Rotator cuff injuries
6. Knee injuries
7. Tennis Elbow
8. Golfer’s Elbow
9. Ankle sprains
10. Nerve pain