Acupuncture

Best Burnaby Acupuncture (Metrotown)

Acupuncture is the practice of inserting needles into specific areas of the body to help stimulate the central nervous system to release chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord and brain. These biochemical changes encourage the body’s natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional well-being.

At Elu Wellness all our acupuncturists are registered practitioners with the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists (CTCMA) of British Columbia.

The goal of acupuncture is to restore the flow of positive energy to the body and to remove the negative energy that causes discomfort, physical pain or general stress and anxiety. Typically, acupuncture is used in conjunction with principal medical treatments and is a good way to help the body cope or find relief from existing conditions without the use of additional medication.

Acupuncture stimulates the central nervous system which in turn releases chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord and brain encouraging the body to heal itself. Certain conditions often involve a combination of medications as well as physical therapy to keep pain at a minimum but with the help of acupuncture, it may be possible to shorten the list rather than add to it. Chronic conditions such as back and musculoskeletal conditions and serious illnesses such as cancer, can benefit from this non-evasive approach to pain management.

Please try to arrive a few minutes early for your appointment at Elu  Wellness. If it is your first visit, this will provide you time to fill out some paperwork such as a consent form and a relevant health and medical questionnaire. If it is your subsequent visit, this will provide you with some time to settle in prior to seeing your acupuncturist.

As always, your appointment begins with a consultation or two-way dialogue where information is gathered to assess your condition or progress. Please be mindful that though some of the questions posed may seem irrelevant to your current condition they are asked so your acupuncturist can gain a broader picture of your health and lifestyle. As acupuncture focuses on the whole body with all of its complex interconnections, one small part of the picture undoubtedly influences the image as a whole and you may find that the treatment for the condition you are seeking help for, may in fact help other areas of the body.

Unlike massage therapy, in most cases you will not need to disrobe for your acupuncture appointment, however, it is best to wear clothing that can easily be rolled up or maneuvered. In certain cases, you may be given a gown to wear or will be draped by a sheet or towel so your acupuncturist can access your entire back. At Elu Wellness we only use sterile, single use, stainless steel needles which arrive packaged individually.

The gauge of the needles used by our acupuncturists are quite high—typically between 30 to 40 gauges (the higher the gauge the thinner the needle), and most patients feel very little discomfort when they are inserted with most feeling no sensation when they are set—a low expenditure for a potentially high return in physical relief.

Prior to insertion, the area will be sterilized and anywhere from five to twenty needles will be used and spread out at various trigger points. Depending upon your condition, the needles are left in place for ten to twenty minutes and the application of heat, pressure or laser light may also be used. Electroacupuncture, the stimulation of the needle with a low-level current, is also a possibility depending on your condition.

After your appointment your acupuncturist will recommend you rest for the remainder of the day and to stay hydrated to help further cleanse your system. Patients experience few side effects and often report feeling more awake and stimulated after a session.

Gua Sha

Gua sha is a form of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) where a smooth-edged tool is used to stroke the skin in order to stimulate microcirculation of the soft tissue for an increase in blood flow. In turn, the increased blood flow helps release toxins from the body to promote healing. Gua sha is intended to address stagnant energy in the body that may be responsible for inflammation, which is often the underlying cause of many conditions that are associated with chronic pain. Massaging the skin’s surface with the gua massage tool helps break up this energy and promote healing.

Gua sha is usually performed on the back, buttocks, neck, arms and legs and a very gentle version of this technique can also be performed on the face. Oil is first applied to the surface of the skin and the practitioner begins with gentle downward strokes and gradually increases intensity.

This form of treatment is considered to be safe, however, patients may experience some bruising or discolouration as well as tenderness after their session. Those who are prone to blood clots should consult their doctor prior to a gua sha treatment.

Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture

Facial rejuvenation acupuncture has long been an established practice in Asia though it is considered to be relatively new in the west. Considered to be a safer alternative to surgery or Botox, facial rejuvenation acupuncture is an extension of traditional acupuncture as it naturally stimulates the skin to produce collagen and elastin—the proteins responsible for warding off wrinkles and fine lines.

This anti-aging treatment improves the complexion by triggering micro-trauma to the skin resulting in firmer skin, reduced wrinkles and the tightening of jowls. Not only does facial rejuvenation acupuncture address the signs of aging, it also helps improve the overall health of the skin increasing the texture and brightness of the complexion and relaxing tension in the facial muscles. Many patients have also noticed a reduction in the noticeability of acne scars, rosacea and age spots as well as a better balance in sebum improving their overly dry or excessively oily skin.

Oftentimes external signs of aging may be a reflection of an internal problem such as hormone imbalance, so undergoing an acupuncture treatment can help address the deeper issue as well. After a session of facial rejuvenation acupuncture, expect the skin to continue to improve during the days and weeks following as acupuncture is not just a local treatment and the biochemical changes released during a session is only a wakeup call for the body to start healing on its own.

Moxibustion

Moxibustion is a form of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapy which involves the burning of moxa, a cone or stick of dried ground mugwort leaves, on or near the meridian and acupuncture points on the body. This form of therapy relies on the heat from the moxa to stimulate circulation and trigger a natural biochemical healing response in the body. There are two types of moxibustion the use of which depends upon your condition.

In direct moxibustion the moxa rests directly on your body at the point of treatment. The moxa is lit and is allowed to smolder until the practitioner deems the area is sufficiently stimulated. Moxa can also be placed on the end of an acupuncture needle and ignited and allowed to burn slowly allowing the heat to travel through the needle to the acupuncture point. With indirect moxibustion, the smoldering moxa is held within an inch from the body and the heat radiating from it will stimulate the area directly within its vicinity.

The dual power of heat combined with the healing properties of mugwort give moxibustion a definite advantage in this form of treatment. Patients often report a sudden flooding of warmth which makes moxibustion an excellent form of treatment for pain due to injuries, for arthritis or to promote relaxation.