Peaks and Points Acupuncture and Integrative Health in Peterborough
Specializing in sports injuries, acute and chronic pain, anxiety and depression, and trauma
Offering Tui Na Chinese Medical Massage, Facial and Cosmetic Acupuncture, and Microneedling
Hours
Monday - Friday - book online or contact for availability
Take advantage of our affordable community acupuncture sessions on the evening of May 23, 2024.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture originated in China over 2,500 years ago and is widely practiced throughout the world today. There are many forms of acupuncture including Traditional Chinese medicine (what I practice), Five Element Acupuncture, Korean 5 Needle (also known as SaAm), Japanese style, and more.
Acupuncture works by bringing your body back to balance - often called the balance between yin and yang. When we are sick or in pain or something is not right, our body is not in balance. What we are seeing is usually just a symptom of something deeper going on that manifesting as the symptoms we see. As acupuncturists, we work with patients to get a full history of the patient including not only symptoms, but the overall lifestyle of the person. In addition to acupuncture, practitioners will often discuss with the patient changes to diet or lifestyle that will help bring the body back into balance.
How does it work?
Acupuncture uses thin filiform needles that are sterile and single use. These needles are inserted below the skin at various acupuncture points. These points are situated along channels or pathways that move energy (called Qi) through the body. As this happens, any energy (Qi) blockages that are causing symptoms the patient is experiencing are moved or cleared. Often when needles are inserted, a patient may experience a dull ache, heaviness, tingling or even stronger sensation, which is called de qi, which simply means the point is stimulated and moving the Qi. Acupuncture is extremely safe, with few, if any side effects. Some common side effects may include a small amount of bleeding at the point, slight bruising, or soreness at the point that will shortly dissipate. The most common side effect is patients fall asleep on the treatment table - a truly relaxing experience! In the acupuncture world, that complete relaxed feeling patients experience afterwards is often called Acu-drunk or Acu-stoned.
What does acupuncture treat?
Acupuncture can treat a long list of issues including anxiety, mild depression, migraines, insomnia, digestive issues, fertility issues, adverse side effects of chemotherapy, menopausal issues, issues related to stroke, Bell's Palsy, trigeminal neuralgia, acute and chronic pain, and more. Treatment options are also available for cosmetic and facial acupuncture to treat fine lines, wrinkles, and signs of aging, but also address the underlying conditions that may be causing the signs on the face. AcuLift microneedling using a microneedle pen is also a treatment option for a more aesthetic outcome.
How many treatments will I need?
This depends on the patient condition. Each person and diagnosis is different. At the first treatment, the practitioner will gather all the pertinent history to diagnosis and discuss a treatment plan. It can be expected that it will be suggested that treatments start at once week for 4-6 weeks and re-evaluate at that time. Again, this varies by patient, and sometimes patients feel better after one treatment.
Cosmetic Acupuncture is recommended weekly for 12 sessions for maximum, lasting results followed by maintenance sessions. AcuLift microneedling is recommended once a month for 5 sessions.