Frequently Asked Questions
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Japanese acupuncture is an ancient form of medicine that originated in China. Treatment involves the insertion of extremely thin needles into specific acupuncture points. This stimulation affects both the central and peripheral nervous systems and prompts the release of pain-relieving natural chemicals. Acupuncture is a safe and simple technique that leverages the body’s ability to heal itself.
More information on Japanese acupuncture can be found here.
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Commonly treated conditions include musculoskeletal issues, neurological issues, ear, nose, and throat issues, eye issues, mouth issues, respiratory issues, gastrointestinal issues, obstetric and gynecological issues, urogenital issues, and circulatory issues, and constitutional issues (World Health Organisation, 2002). It is noted that while these conditions may be treated, they are not necessarily cured. More details can be found here.
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Japanese acupuncture is virtually painless. Japanese techniques are gentler, subtler, and less painful than Chinese techniques most commonly used by practitioners in North America. Our clinic uses needles that are approximately five times thinner than the smallest of Chinese acupuncture needles and employ shallower insertions, resulting in minimal to no discomfort.
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Acupuncture is recognized as one of the safest forms of medicine. All acupuncture needles are pre-sterilized, individually packaged, and disposable; new needles are used with each visit and are disposed of immediately following each treatment into a biohazard-marked container.
In British Columbia, the practice of acupuncture is regulated by the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists. In addition to extensive training, licensed therapists are required to annually complete continuing education.
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Each session is approximately 45 minutes.
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Each patient’s care plan is uniquely tailored to their needs. The number of recommended treatments will vary with each individual and the condition being treated. For acute problems, only a few treatments may be required. In some cases, one treatment will be sufficient. For complex or long-standing conditions, one or two treatments a week for several weeks may be recommended with less frequent treatments necessary as improvement occurs.
As in most forms of healing, the patient's determination and lifestyle will affect the outcome of a course of treatment. East Asian medicine is also an educational process in which the patient becomes more aware of their own body, thus increasing its ability to maintain well-being.
Ideally, acupuncture therapy is used as preventive medicine. Depending on each patient's lifestyle, regular weekly or monthly treatments can keep both body and mind in balance.
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Direct billing is currently available for ICBC claims. Please contact us directly at (604) 737-1016 to discuss treatment options.
We are in the process of establishing direct billing for insurance coverage; in the meantime, receipts are provided with every treatment and we kindly ask our clients to file any claims.
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Japanese acupuncture treats both the symptoms and source of the problem. Treatment may be divided into “local” and “root” treatment methods; local treatment addresses symptomatic relief while root treatment seeks to address core energetic and structural imbalances. Local treatment is often sufficient for many acute problems. However, to resolve complex or long-standing conditions or to treat the underlying cause of problems, both local and root treatments are performed at the same time. Once imbalances have been identified and corrected, the body’s self-healing abilities are activated and it heals itself.
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The best use of acupuncture is for the maintenance of health. Oriental medicine believes that the best doctor cures illness before it occurs and that changes in ki (qi) – or energy – precedes physical change. Acupuncture can correct the balance of energy flow before a serious illness occurs therefore acting as preventative therapy.
It is accepted that automobiles need regular maintenance to keep them running reliably yet we tend to ignore our own body's call for attention. Considering how easily a worn-out car part can be replaced compared to a dysfunctional part of one's body, we must value ourselves more than our automobiles and work towards the maintenance of health and the prevention of disease.
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Our clinic uses stainless steel goshin filiform needles and hinaishin intradermal needles. The Japanese filiform needles are approximately five times thinner than the smallest of Chinese acupuncture needles and are almost always inserted using an insertion tube to minimize discomfort. The short intradermal needles are inserted shallowly and on an angle into the skin between the superficial and deep fascia. Secured with waterproof medical tape, these needles may be left in place for up to one week to provide gentle and continuous treatment.
For patients with sensitivities to needles, enshin and teishin non-inserted “needles” and ryu press-spheres are employed. The non-inserted needles are used exclusively for rubbing and pressing methods. The non-invasive press-sphere stainless steel ball bearings can be used in place of intradermal needles.
All needles are sterile and disposable. Each needle is individually packaged and pre-sterilized with ethylene oxide gas. New needles are used with each visit and are disposed of immediately following each treatment into a biohazard-marked container.
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In Japan, acupuncture has been widely used to treat a variety of domestic animals including racehorses. These animals are immune to the placebo effect and to the psychosomatic element of therapy. While a positive attitude may enhance treatments, a negative attitude will not hinder the effects of acupuncture.
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Professional athletes receive treatment both before and after their activity, and treatment techniques vary depending on the relative timing of the event. Limited to a single session, treatment is recommended prior to a sporting event as “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
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Aside from occasional and minor temporary bruising at the site of an acupuncture needle and muscle soreness, acupuncture has virtually no side effects. In rare cases, minor bleeding, numbness, and/or tingling at or near the needle site as well as drowsiness or nausea may be experienced. Under exceptionally rare circumstances, patients may experience fainting, nerve damage, miscarriage, organ puncture, or infection.
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Japanese acupressure, also known as shiatsu, is acupuncture without using needles. As a modified form of acupuncture, acupressure manipulates acupuncture points to stimulate the body’s circulatory and autonomous nervous systems. Acupressure is ideal for patients who don't care for or cannot receive any form of needle technique.
More information on acupressure can be found here.
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Our acupressure (shiatsu) techniques are not aggressive and treatments are generally relaxing as a deep but gentle pressure is used. The intensity of pressure applied is adjusted according to your condition in order to minimize discomfort. Certain areas of your body, however, may feel tender during or following the treatment.
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Moxibustion is the application of heat to acupuncture points and is one of the oldest and most effective forms of traditional East Asian therapy. Originating in China, the technique has been refined in Japan over a thousand years since its introduction. Moxibustion creates heat by burning moxa, an herb derived from drying the underside of the mugwort plant’s leaves.
While indirect methods are used where appropriate, Japanese acupuncturists commonly employ direct moxibustion, which burns a sesame seed-sized amount of highest-grade pure moxa on the skin with a special type of incense. The result is an intense, penetrating heat that stimulates the acupuncture point with minimal discomfort.
More information on moxibustion can be found here.
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Indirect moxibustion does not hurt at all; you will only feel a comfortable heat. With direct moxibustion, you will feel an intense, localized heat for a second or two and you might get a blister with a minor burn (less than 2 mm in diameter). Direct moxibustion is much more effective than indirect because of the longer lasting acupuncture point stimulation due to blistering. Blistering elicits the body's healing process and with direct moxibustion, the body's self-healing power is focused on a selected acupuncture point (and its associated area) for an extended period of time.
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Yes – our clinic is by appointment only. Appointments are available here online or by telephone at (604) 737-1016. Treatment times are usually filled one week in advance; please call to be added to the waitlist for earlier appointments.