Tackling the Myths and Misconceptions of Acupuncture Needles
Acupuncture’s a very misunderstood art and science. Many Canadians believe it to be quack science, even though Western practitioners have been using it successfully for years to treat chronic pain and a variety of conditions. The once-traditional Chinese medicine form has also been Westernized to some degree and is now widely accepted by Canadian doctors as a meaningful treatment for several mental as well as physical health issues.
Acupuncture hurts.
Acupuncture needles going into the body don’t hurt whatsoever. These aren’t vaccination needles. Every acupuncture needle has also been properly sterilized, is safe, and there’s no chance of feeling anything as it’s going in – as long as the person putting it in knows what they’re doing.
Acupuncture doesn’t work.
If you don’t believe acupuncture will work for you, chances are it won’t. That’s not the placebo effect talking but rather, if you don’t give it a chance and expect to be cured of all your issues through a single twenty-minute acupuncture session, you’re fooling yourself. Some conditions require as many as 6-12 sessions before a noticeable difference presents itself.
There’s a risk of infection.
Acupuncture is actually one of the safest treatments there is. There are little to no risks and the possibility of infection is none as long as you’re using disposable, properly sterilized needles. A trained acupuncture practitioner in Canada generally uses disposables, which is a good thing.
Acupuncture’s regulated.
Unfortunately, in some provinces in Canada, there’s no regulation as to who can call themselves an acupuncturist. As this is still relatively new to some populations, anyone with acupuncture needles could – for argument’s sake – call themselves an acupuncturist.
Health insurance doesn’t cover acupuncture.
Most health insurance plans, particularly those with extended coverage, offer acupuncture performed by a registered acupuncturist for certain health conditions. If you’re uncertain about whether it’s covered under your plan, give your insurance company a call. As of now, no provincial health plan covers acupuncture in Canada.
Acupuncture is always acupuncture.
There are many different kinds of acupuncture so be sure you’re getting what you expect. Of course, there’s traditional Chinese medicine TCM-style acupuncture, more holistic acupuncture approaches, and then those types that are specifically designed to treat pain or loosen muscles.
Acupuncture is only appropriate for pain relief.
Although acupuncture works great for relieving pain in most patients, it’s also being studied and has been shown to have some benefit for a wide range of health conditions including digestive disorders, anxiety, depression, insomnia, low energy, menstrual issues, headaches, addictions, coronary heart disease, and more.
Visit Lierre.ca today for acupuncture needles and all your favourite acupuncture accessories. Inexperienced acupuncture users are recommended to go to a certified practitioner to get a sense of whether it’s right for them. No quick fix by any means, ongoing acupuncture treatment can certainly help at remedying hundreds of different health ills.