Acupuncture in NW Calgary
At the Centre for Chiropractic and Sports Rehabilitation, we have you covered for all of your soft-tissue injury needs. As a multi-practitioner establishment, we have several forms of treatment available including Acupuncture. Our practitioners look at each individual case separately, ensuring that your condition is taken seriously, and nothing is missed that could be affecting your body’s ability to heal.
To learn more about Erik, visit his website at erikacupuncture.com.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture treatment is when thin needles are inserted into specific points along the body called either acupoints or ashi (pain) points. This practice can impact muscular, skeletal, neurological, digestive, respiratory, urinary, and reproductive systems. More specifically for rehabilitation, acupuncture can be used to treat: Osteoarthritis, neck pain, chronic low backpain, sprains, headaches, pelvic and low back pain in pregnancy, and fibromyalgia, among other things. Acupuncture works by signaling the release of the body’s natural analgesic and anti-inflammatory hormones to work against pain and inflammation.
Your practitioner will educate you on your condition and the treatment they feel best suits your situation. Should you choose to see our Acupuncturist in addition to another provider at our clinic, our practitioners will communicate, with your permission, regarding your condition to provide you with the best care.
Like traditional acupuncture, micro-needling is a topically focused treatment used for promoting skin repair, reducing the appearance of aging, wrinkles, stretch marks and scars. Healthy skin allows for better protection from the element, prevents limited range of motion, and has the potential to reduce pain (depending on its cause).
Surgical-grade micro-needles reach beyond the epidermis into the dermis, causing pin-point bleeding and triggering the body’s spontaneous healing response. Within minutes, the perforation channels close and the healing cascade starts, invading the area with collagen-producing fibroblasts and growth-promoting properties. New organized collagen and elastin forms, bolstering from within, while the epidermis becomes thicker and more supple, each time a treatment is performed. You practitioner will ensure there is minimal to zero discomfort during your procedure.
What should I expect during my visit?
As part of your acupuncture treatment with Erik, you can also expect a variety of techniques including cupping or gua sha (similar to the Graston technique). He will also look at your personal diet, exercise, and general routine for insight into your condition. Chinese herbal supplements may be prescribed to aid in your treatment, though Erik typically aims to treat through dietary changes as opposed to supplementation.
Our acupuncturist utilizes a Japanese needling technique. Japanese needling techniques have evolved from traditional Chinese medicine. The practice is unique in that it has been developed by blind monks using only one thin needle at a time. Palpation is a major focus of the practice and patients can expect the practitioner to be with them during the entire treatment. This can be considered more of a functional myofascial practice.
Cupping & Gua Sha:
Gua Sha:
Gua Sha is a very old technique using a smooth-edged tool such as a pies of horded jade or buffalo horn. These tools are pressed and stroked on lubricated regions of the body. Presse-stroking is performed sequentially, line by line, in one direction, until a reddish or purple mark appears on the skin - this occurrence is referred to as "raising the Sha".
Gua Sha is used to release heat, move qi with blood and increase circulation of the body which also improves your immune system.
Cupping:
Modern-day cupping is typically done using glass or silicone cups. A vacuum is generated in the cup in order to create suction with the skin and the superficial muscle layers.
Cupping is used in TCM to encourage healing in your body by moving qi, blood, and lymphatic flow. This technique is commonly used to treat conditions such as acute chronic pains, respiratory and musculoskeletal problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I expect following treatment?
As practitioners, we do our best to avoid any negative response to needling, but sometimes bruising may occur, bleeding at the insertion, and/or some post-treatment achiness.
What clothing should I wear?
It is best if you wear loose comfortable clothing for your acupuncture treatment so the clothes can be moved or removed in order to reach the acupuncture points. There are occasions when it is necessary to remove clothing down to underwear, such as treating back, chest and leg pain. Patients can expect to change in privacy and be draped with a sheet that will cover any regions not requiring practitioner care.
How much does acupuncture cost in Calgary?
60 Minute Acupuncture Treatment - $100
90 Minute Acupuncture Treatment - $145
90 Minute Acupuncture/Micro-needling - $250
How many treatments will be required?
Every person and conditions are different and as such, treatment time and response to treatment will vary. Generally, chronic conditions required more treatment than acute issues. As with any form of conservative therapy, it generally requires more treatments to gauge its effectiveness for each individual.
What can Acupuncture and TCM treat?
Some of the more common conditions that can be treated are:
Will my benefits cover my treatment?
Click here to see which companies we bill.
