frequently asked questions
Does acupuncture hurt?
Not really. The needles I use are about as thick as a strand of hair and I never insert them more than necessary. You’ll feel some mild sensations (dullness, heaviness, tingling, or a weird sensation that is hard to describe) for about 30 seconds to a minute. After that you should feel really relaxed. I take a gentle approach, checking in with you throughout the needling process, and make your comfort my top priority.
I’ve had acupuncture with my chiro/physio/RMT. How is this different?
Chiros/physios/RMTs who study Medical Acupuncture practice a style called dry needling which is specifically used to release muscular pain. They also typically use much thicker needles and the needling experience tends to be quite intense and aggressive.
I’ve been trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine, which means that not only can I help release muscular pain but I can also bring your body back to a state of balance aka homeostasis. That might look like getting certain organ systems to do more (or less), helping to calm the mind, allowing the body to release held emotions, triggering (or stopping) the release of certain hormones, improving circulation, etc. It's pretty amazing what we can do with just a few needles!
Can acupuncture help with my specific condition?
It depends. Acupuncture is really great for a number of conditions, including mental-emotional health, digestive issues, menstrual/gynecological conditions, sleep, pain, etc, but it truly depends on the severity of your particular issue. A good rule of thumb is that if it requires surgery or other more aggressive medical interventions, acupuncture alone won’t be a great fit, although it can certainly help you manage your symptoms, give you a better quality of life and help you heal faster from Western interventions. If you have questions about your specific condition, please book a free consultation.
What should I expect during an acupuncture session?
During our first session together, I’ll ask you a lot of questions - some about your chief complaint and some about your general health. Next I’ll check your pulse and look at your tongue - this might seem weird but your tongue tells me so much information about what’s happening inside your body because it’s the only internal organ we can physically see. After that I’ll get you on the table where I’ll do some light palpation to find out more information about what your body is trying to say and what it needs to heal. Then we’ll do some needling - don’t worry, I’ll walk you through the whole thing - possibly with some gentle bodywork. I’ll let you rest for about 20 minutes or so, take the needles out and finally we’ll have a quick chat where I’ll give you a treatment plan, some lifestyle recommendations to help you between treatments and give you an opportunity to ask any questions.
Follow up treatments will go similarly, except the intake process is shorter. I’ll ask questions about the effects you’ve noticed from the previous treatment as well as any other changes you may have experienced to make sure the treatment reflects who you are in the moment. Our bodies are constantly changing so I’m always adapting to give you the best possible outcome.
How many sessions will I need to see results?
The number of treatments depends on multiple factors including the length of time you’ve had the problem, its severity, your overall health, how well you adhere to the treatment plan and how responsive you are to acupuncture. I will give you a treatment plan at the end of your first session which will include an estimated number of treatments. Generally for something new or mild, a typical course of treatment is about 4 sessions, whereas for something more severe or chronic, one course of treatment can be anywhere from 8-12 sessions. You should start to see small changes after the first 1-4 treatments.
After the first course of treatment, we reassess - either we start to taper you off, meaning we gradually extend the time between visits, or we go straight into maintenance mode which means you only come in once every 6 months or as needed. For particularly severe or longstanding cases, we may need to repeat a course of treatment before we can begin tapering you off.
Is acupuncture covered by insurance?
Most benefit plans cover acupuncture but please double check with your provider to make sure before your appointment. I’ll provide you with a receipt after your treatment, which you can submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement. Unfortunately it is not covered by OHIP, but if you are paying out of pocket, you can claim acupuncture fees on your tax return as medical expenses.
Are there any side effects?
Because acupuncture is pretty mild, the typical side effects are minimal to none, other than feeling extremely relaxed. Occasionally some people feel slightly dizzy or lightheaded after treatment, although this typically only lasts for a few minutes. There is the possibility of bruising or some discomfort at points needled although this is not common and should go away within a couple days.
What should I wear to my appointment?
Whatever is comfortable for you! I’ll likely need access to your legs below the knee and arms below the elbow, and possibly your abdomen or your back. Ideally you’ll wear loose fitting clothing that can easily be rolled up, but if not, I have lots of clean sheets to keep you covered and comfortable during your treatment.