Peaks and Points Acupuncture and Integrative Health in Peterborough
We are so glad you are here!
Acupuncture for sports injuries, acute and chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and trauma including holistic acupuncture facial rejuvenation.
Now offering free in-person15 minute consultations. Book now.
Hours
Monday - Friday 10am - 6pm
Book online or contact for availability
New to 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 (TCM; what I practice), Five Element Acupuncture, Korean 5 Needle (also known as SaAm), Japanese style, and more.
Acupuncture works by changing a pattern and 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 and it is letting us know. 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 acupuncture work?
Acupuncture works by changing a pattern in the body. The symptoms you experience are your body’s way of telling you something is not functioning properly. Through acupuncture, signals are sent to the body reminding it has the information and resources to change that pattern. Thin needles are inserted below the skin at various acupuncture points related to the pattern that 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 conditions 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 acupuncture treatments will I need?
This depends on the patient condition. Each person and pattern diagnosis is different, but we recommend committing to 12 sessions, either once weekly, or sometimes twice weekly for more acute issues. At the first treatment, the practitioner will gather all the pertinent history to diagnosis and discuss a treatment plan. While we recommend 12 sessions, more importantly, we are looking for TWO consecutive weeks of improved symptoms to indicate we are changing the patter. At that point, we will begin spacing treatments out. Again, this varies by patient, as we are humans and healing is not always linear, but an upward trajectory of healing is the goal. Every week we will check-in and note progress, changes, and work treatments as seen fit.
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.