Q & A
Q: How many treatments will I need?
A: The benefits of acupuncture are cumulative, each treatment builds on to the next and last. For acute conditions, generally 4-5 treatments. Typically you begin to feel relief after a few. Chronic conditions takes longer to respond to. Treatments also depend on frequency of treatment, lifestyle, diet, severity, chronic vs acute conditions, and often depends on the person's constitution. Preventative treatments and treatments for for general well-being are also offered on a needed bases. Acupuncture maintenance treatments may look like once a month, every 6 weeks, or even every 6 months! This is dependent on the client, their schedule, and their body.
Q: Are the needles single use?
A: Yes! these needles come presteralized in a package and are disposed in a sharps container
Q: How long are the needles in?
A: Needles are left in from 15-30 minutes depending on what condition is being treated. This is how long the cycle of qi takes to cycle through the body. Followed by a modality (cupping and or gua sha)
Q: How big are the needles?
A: I use needles with a gauge of 0.20 to 0.25 (tiny!). Needles are measured in "cun" which is basically equivalent to inches. They range from 0.5 cun/inches to 3cun/inches. The size I use varies depending on the area being needled (think a hand vs. a glute) and the angle at which the needle is being inserted.
Q: Does acupuncture hurt?
A: When an acupuncture needle is inserted, there is a sensation called De Qi, which means Qi (energy) arriving at the needle. This sensation is actually sought after, as it means we are hitting the right spot. De Qi presents as a feeling of heaviness, tingling, aching, and sometimes travels or spreads. An acupuncture needle insertion shouldn’t be sharp. If you feel a sharp sensation, or any sensation that makes you uncomfortable, please tell the acupuncturist as the needle may need to be adjusted or removed.
Q: Do you direct bill?
A: Yes. Blue cross, Sunlife, Telus, (which has a lot of them covered), Green shield, Cooperators, Medavie, CBP