ACUPUNCTURE
Our Mississauga acupuncturists provide a number of services including: acupuncture, cupping therapy electroacupuncture and facial acupuncture. Our expert practitioners offer tailored treatments for pain relief, stress reduction, and overall wellness.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that involves the insertion of thin, sterile needles into specific points on the body. The goal of acupuncture is to balance the flow of energy or "qi" within the body and to stimulate the body's natural healing abilities.
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According to traditional Chinese medicine, the body contains channels or meridians through which energy flows. When these channels become blocked, it can lead to illness and disease. The benefit of acupuncture is that it stimulates specific points on these channels, which can help to unblock the flow of energy and restore balance to the body.
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Acupuncture has been beneficial in treating a wide range of health conditions, such as:
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Pain: Acupuncture is commonly used to treat pain conditions such as back pain, neck pain, knee pain, and headaches.
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Anxiety and depression: Acupuncture may help to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression by promoting relaxation and reducing stress.
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Digestive issues: Acupuncture may help to improve digestive function and alleviate symptoms of conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation, and acid reflux.
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Insomnia: Acupuncture may help to improve sleep quality and reduce insomnia symptoms.
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Respiratory disorders: Acupuncture may help to alleviate symptoms of conditions such as allergies, asthma, and sinusitis.
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Women's health issues: Acupuncture may help to alleviate symptoms associated with menstrual pain, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and menopausal symptoms.
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Facial Acupuncture
Facial acupuncture, also known as cosmetic acupuncture or facial rejuvenation acupuncture, is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves the insertion of very fine needles into specific points on the face and body to improve skin health, reduce the signs of aging, and promote overall well-being.
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Facial acupuncture is based on the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, which views the body as a complex system of interconnected channels, or meridians, through which vital energy, or qi, flows. By stimulating specific acupuncture points on the face and body, facial acupuncture is believed to improve circulation, stimulate collagen production, and reduce inflammation, resulting in smoother, brighter, and more youthful-looking skin.
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During a facial acupuncture treatment, the acupuncturist will insert very thin needles into specific points on the face, as well as on other parts of the body, such as the arms, legs, and ears. The needles are left in place for a period of time, typically 15-30 minutes, while the client relaxes. The treatment may also include other modalities, such as facial massage, gua sha (a scraping technique), and the application of herbal creams or serums.
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Facial acupuncture is considered a safe and natural alternative to invasive cosmetic procedures, such as Botox or fillers, and is suitable for most people.
Cupping Therapy
Another alternative therapy that also originated in China, cupping therapy(also known are fire cupping) involves placing glass cups on the skin to create suction that may facilitate healing with blood flow.
During a session, a cup is placed on the skin then heated or suctioned onto the skin via fire, alcohol, herbs or paper. When the hot cup is placed on the skin, the air inside creates a vacuum drawing the skin and muscle upward into the cup.
Cupping increases blood circulation to the area where the cups are placed, which may lead to a decrease in muscle tension due to the increased blood flow and increased cell repair that goes along with that.
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Cupping therapy has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine and is still used today as a complementary therapy for a range of conditions, including musculoskeletal pain, respiratory issues, and digestive problems.
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Electroacupuncture
Electroacupuncture applies a mild electric current to acupuncture needles inserted in the body, enhancing traditional acupuncture's effects. It's used to alleviate pain, improve circulation, and treat various conditions by stimulating acupuncture points with controlled electrical impulses.
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Our practitioners may decide to use electroacupuncture to augment traditional acupuncture because it can enhance stimulation of acupuncture points, potentially increasing treatment effectiveness for pain relief, circulation improvement, and symptom management. The controlled electrical impulses may offer additional therapeutic benefits, particularly in cases of chronic conditions or stubborn symptoms.
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Unlike many other clinics, Shoreside Wellness Centre does not charge our patients an additional fee for electroacupuncture.
WHAT IS QI?
You have heard us use the term "Qi" pronounced "Chee" throughout our website, but what is it?
The philosophy of Qi permeates throughout all of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is what all of Chinese Medicine is in accordance with. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qi is the universal life force that embraces all manifestations of energy from the material (physical objects, animate and inanimate) to the immaterial (light, movement, heat, thought, emotions). Qi is said to be in a continuous flux that transforms endlessly from one aspect to another. It is neither created or destroyed, it simply changes its manifestation.
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In order to fully understand the various manifestations of Qi, the concept of Yin and Yang must also be understood in this context.
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In the Chinese Medicine philosophy, Yin and Yang are terms used to describe relative opposite qualities of Qi. Yin refers to aspects of Qi that are relatively material, solid, heavy, cold, moist, cooling, dark, passive. Yang refers to aspects of Qi that are relatively immaterial, expanding, hollow, light, hot, dry, bright, aggressive and active.
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Neither is greater/better/worse than the other. Both aspects, in harmony, equally balance each other within the body. Illness, pain, or other conditions are believed to be a consequence when either aspect is out of balance.
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Chinese Medical Practitioners utilize this knowledge of Qi as well as 14 meridians and the approximate 361 acupressure points on the body to administer treatments such as Acupuncture, Tui Na, Cupping, just to name a few. Many practitioners will also prescribe natural herbal medication to balance these energies in the body.
