Completely Healthy Acupuncture

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the acupuncture point work ?

Each point has different functions and different effects. Some of them will have an effect on nerves and muscles, soothing or stimulating depending on the need, which can lead to getting rid of pain or help strengthening. Some will have effects on hormones, which can help quite a lot of functions in the body, like with energy, metabolism, digestion, fertility, etc.

How do treatments work here ?

First, we start with a diagnosis to figure out what we’re dealing with. A western diagnosis is not usually necessary but can be appreciated and useful from time to time. Eastern medicine and acupuncture has its own way of naming issues in pain or dysfunctions of the body.

Once it’s mostly figured out, I give a prognosis, an idea of how long this can take, how many treatments this could take and give a range so you have a good idea of what it all entails in time and money.

How much does it cost ?

It will depend on the prognosis actually. I charge about 100$, more on the first depending on the length of diagnosis, and lower pricing depending on if it might take a long time. I offer treatment plans or discount for different situations

Where do you come from ?

The accent comes from Quebec, where I was for the first 20 years of my life. I later lived In Calgary to study amongst other things. I then came to Cranbrook in 2017 and started a clinic here, after a few years of experience and practice in China and Calgary.

How long have you been in Chinese Medicine ?

I’ve been using Chinese Medicine since 2015, when I ended up interning in China’s hospital before coming back to Canada in the same year. 

Chinese summers are obscenely warm for us Canadians, which is one of the main reasons I came back.

How long were your studies?

It took me five years to complete my Doctorate of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Calgary, AB. It included, in the last year going to China and working in Beijing’s China Japan Friendship hospital. 

Do the needles hurt ?

No, usually they don’t. Most people don’t feel anything with most points. Depending on people, the sensation is that of a small prick for some areas, and nothing for other areas.

Of course, on very tight muscles it can feel different, like pressure or warmth.

If a needle hurts and is felt for more than 5 seconds, it’s usually the skin being sensitive and it requires a small adjustment to get rid of it, so don’t be shy and let me know

Are there any after effects of acupuncture ?

There is the occasional bruise, which are small and usually fast to heal

There is the occasional zing in the insertion. I seldom see them in a full week of work, this usually subside in the next few seconds.

Sensation often includes nothing, heaviness, sometimes heat or cool. A sensation can be lingering in an area of a needle that last for a little while.

How many needles do you use ?

Depending on the person and the treatment, it can be between 5 to 25 needles. 

It feels like a lot but it just takes a few minutes and most of them are not felt at insertion, all of them normally are not felt in the body during the treatment.

Are the needles sterilised, is acupuncture safe ?

The needles are sterile one use only, coming in a closed up package. In Canada we can’t sterilise needles, we can only use sterile needles once. There is almost no risk of infection or any kind.

Acupuncture is one of the safest forms of medicine. Death or issues with Western medicine trying to cure and help is quite high compared. Chinese Medicine causing issues has a smaller ratio than any therapy including some type of massage therapy. It makes sense since it has virtually no side effects apart from a pinch and the occasional bruises.

Is acupuncture covered by my insurance ?

Acupuncture treatments are covered by most insurance, by WBC, ICBC and Veteran Affairs. To be sure if your insurance covers acupuncture you should check with them or your contract with them directly, but it’s very common to be covered. I can easily direct-bill most of them.

What if I’m afraid of needles ?

The needles used are hair thin, and about 20 times thinner than injection needles used for medicine. Most people don’t feel the insertion. There’s very little to be afraid of those needles.

If you are worried, mention it and we’ll make sure to use the nicer needles to give a good pricking free treatment and make things easier

Can I get advice on this or that other treatment ?

Even another TCM treatment, without a conversation with the practitioner, will be mostly no. If it is outside of the field of TCM, any opinions will be just that, an opinion.

I can lead in some discussions but only with the weight of general health knowledge, not an expert on something that is not in my field.

What can I do that going to the Doctor can’t ?

I can do quite a lot. If any conditions we could treat, the Western Doctor could also treat, there would be no point to us

One very important thing that western medicine and even many alternative medicines do not have is the ability to simply strengthen the general energy of somebody. For those medicines, rest is considered the main way to recover energy, and if the body can’t get it on its own, then there’s not much else done. 

That’s why coffee exists, leaving an even bigger deficit of energy, by draining the adrenals amongst other things

That’s one thing. 

Some chronic conditions are a complete mystery on how to deal with in western medicine, many immune diseases will only be managed somewhat inefficiently. Many complex conditions are also quite hard if a specific test can’t give them the right answer and solution. If tests don’t give any answers, then they won’t have a good solution to give.

We tend to see quite a lot of people whose doctor can’t do anything for them, even some situations where doctors genuinely believe nothing can be done, and yet help is given here.

We treat a lot of odd complaints that western medicine can’t put a label on.

And many simple life situations like having a very cold or too warm of a body for example.

Can Chinese medicine improve my health even if I’m not “ill” ?

Yes, small dysfunction are issues that can be dealt with. Like a digestive system that’s a bit too slow, makes one gain weight and doesn’t really give energy. 

Like a body that’s too cold and makes someone uncomfortable unless in a very warm climate. Here in Canada that’s not the best

Or the opposite, someone always warm and uncomfortably hot in the summer

Hot flashes, even those that last upwards of five years, can still be dealt with

Muscle weakness, lack of focus and many more issues that are not quite illnesses but still impact your life can be cured

Low immunity is an important one that can’t be really helped with Western medicine. In Chinese Medicine we can help strengthen the body so it can face and win more of those fights with viruses and bacterias. Simply having a few colds in a year is a sign of a weakness in that area.

Regulating the menstrual cycle now (addressing pain, PMS, clots, issues with regularity) can help reduce the probability of later issues

Improving the digestion now can help reduce the chances of developing digestive tract issues (IBS, colitis, Crohn’s, diverticulitis, etc.) and a wide range of seemingly unrelated issues like arthritis, cysts, fibromyalgia to cancer

Who can have acupuncture treatment ?

There are almost no limitations in terms of age, sex or condition to receive acupuncture or Chinese Medicine.

It’s good to know that pregnant women have more side effects from acupuncture than most, even though it’s still pretty rare, don’t be shy in letting me know during the treatment if anything happens. 

For people who are younger than 18, you need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian at least for the first appointment.

Why did you look at my tongue ?

It’s one of the diagnostic tools we use. The tongue gives us a reflection of the state of the body as a whole and of the digestion specifically

We look at the colors, the form, the slight coating there can be on it and where it all is on the tongue. 

There’s a lot to glean and we add it to the sums of what we’ve taken with the questions and the observation needed

Is acupuncture safe during pregnancy ?

Yes.

Some points are contraindicated in pregnancy and so following that helps. There is more sensitivity in pregnancy, so there can be the occasional after effects like some nausea. But that is rare and easily remedied.

Acupuncture can be very beneficial to pregnant women, as we can help get rid of many symptoms of pregnancy, like relief for morning sickness, heartburn, pain (back, legs, hips), constipation, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, depression and more

It can be used, with Chinese herbs, to help preparing for childbirth and to restore the birth parent’s state of energy after giving birth.

Can Chinese Medicine treat cancer ?

Technically yes, but it’s not my specialty. What is done here is to help the clearing of cancer cells while mitigating and treating the side effects of cancer and of cancer treatment such as chemotherapy and any related pain

Should I stop medication before starting treatments ?

No there’s no need. There’s almost no interaction between Chinese herbs and western medications. Often an issue brought in by medications can be helped with acupuncture and Chinese medicine

Are the herbs safe ?

They are always checked to be safe in normal quantities. The vast majority of them have licenses issued by Health Canada and have been found to be safe, effective and of high quality under their recommended conditions of use. You can identify licensed natural health products by looking for the eight-digit Natural Product Number (NPN) or Homeopathic Medicine Number (DIN-HM) on the label. (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/natural-non-prescription/applications-submissions/product-licensing/licensed-natural-health-products-database.html)

They are also very unlikely to affect any kind of medications. Interactions is something I’ve seen once, in a very loose way, in more than 7 years of practice.

aware of the possible interactions between western medications and Chinese herbs. The proper usage of Chinese herbs can greatly enhance the treatments.

What health issues can acupuncture or Chinese Medicine help me with ?

Acupuncture is known to treat a wide range of disorders including : 

  • Sporting injuries, sprained ankles and knees, cartilage problems, corking and tearing of muscles, muscular pain and bruises
  • Musculoskeletal issues such as osteoarthritis, sciatica, low back pain, gout, shoulder and neck pain, knee pain, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, whiplash
  • Neurological conditions, such as headaches, migraines, difficulty sleeping, nervous tension, stroke, some forms of deafness, facial and inter-costal neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia, peripheral neuropathy, noise in the ears, dizziness and Meniere’s disease.
  • Cardiovascular disorders, such as high or low blood pressure, fluid retention, chest pain, angina pectoris, poor circulation, cold hands and feet, heart palpitations
  • Respiratory conditions, such as bronchial asthma, acute and chronic bronchitis, acute tonsillitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, hay fever, chronic cough, laryngitis, sore throat, influenza and the common cold
  • Digestive system disorders, such as toothache, stomach pain, gingivitis, mouth ulcers, spasms of the oesophagus, gastric and duodenal ulcers, gastric hyperacidity, gastritis, heartburn, GERD, Crohn’s disease, constipation, liver and gall bladder disorders, weight  control
  • Gynaecological disorders, such as PSM, painful, heavy, irregular or absent periods, pregnancy issues, such as morning sickness
  • Skin conditions, such as ezczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, nerve rash, herpes zoster, acne, scar tissue issues, numbness
  • Psychological conditions such as depression, anxiety, phobias, PTSD, emotional disturbances, nervousness, addiction such as smoking

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