Our registered acupuncturist and other Target Therapeutics practitioners have faithfully served the Kitchener-Waterloo community out of our conveniently located historic building since 2006. If you are looking for an Acupuncturist in Kitchener-Waterloo, make an appointment with us today.
There is compelling evidence that natural painkillers are released during acupuncture. This explains its painkilling effects.
Acupuncture has been incorporated into medical practices all over the world, combining traditional knowledge with scientific studies taking place in biomedical science departments at many universities.
Western acupuncture uses specific acupuncture points based on anatomical landmarks, to target the area of your body that you are experiencing pain.
The sterilized needles which are about the thickness of a human hair and are available in different lengths are inserted into these points. They are hardly felt when inserted. Acupuncture needles allow our chiropractor or physiotherapist to be very specific in terms of location and depth so that they can be placed into the tissue that is causing your pain. The needles are often stimulated with small electrodes allowing the current to pass through the needle directly into the affected tissue giving the treatment increased effectiveness.
Types of Acupuncture We Offer
Auricular
Auricular acupuncture, also known as ear acupuncture, is a form of acupuncture that focuses on treating points in the ear. It is based on a system of the body known as a “microsystem,” where specific points on the ear are used to treat various ailments around the body.
The ear points correspond to various areas of the body, including organs, systems, body parts, nerves, etc. Auricular acupuncture has been popularly used in alignment with Traditional Acupuncture body treatments or on its own. It has been known to treat several things, including, but not limited to, Headaches, migraines, stress, anxiety, insomnia, drug and nicotine cessation, pain relief, and management.
Dry Needling
Dry needling addresses musculoskeletal pain along with other bodily systems. Dry needling targets muscle tissue to alleviate pain, deactivate trigger points, and enhance mobility. Dry needling tackles pain relief by focusing on myofascial aspects, directly targeting muscles and connective tissues rather than Traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncture points. It’s commonly integrated into a comprehensive physical therapy regimen alongside other treatments.
TCM Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a part of the ancient tradition of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a healthcare system refined over millennia to prevent, diagnose, and treat ailments. TCM posits that the body’s essential energy, known as qi (pronounced chi), travels along specific pathways called meridians.
Balanced qi signifies overall spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being, while imbalances can lead to illness. TCM employs various methods to restore harmony and balance in the body, by facilitating the smooth flow of energy along the meridians. Practitioners of acupuncture identify over 2,000 points on the body interconnected by meridians.
By stimulating specific points, acupuncture aims to alleviate blockages and enhance the flow of energy, thereby improving health and overall condition.
Electro Acupuncture
Electroacupuncture is a mixture of traditional chinese acupuncture/medical acupuncture and electrical stimulation to stimulate the needles with electricity. Acupuncture points, trigger points and points of interest (in muscles, joint capsules) are selected and needled, then electrical stimulation is administered to amplify effects.
What is the evidence for acupuncture?
Considerable scientific evidence supports that natural painkillers or opioids are released during an acupuncture treatment which explains its painkilling effects. Changes in blood flow due to altered secretion of neurotransmitters and neurohormones have also been documented.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) also now recognizes that acupuncture works and has evidence-based backing, and recommends it for many types of musculoskeletal pain including muscle spasms, tightness and inflammation.
