| The World Health Organization (WHO) | | | | tissue, muscle, organ, and gland in the body. |
| references acupuncture as being an effective | | | | Therefore, a blockage of the flow of Qi |
| treatment for the management of many types of | | | | anywhere in the body will inhibit the amount |
| pain, both acute and chronic.There are 3 | | | | of nourishment that reaches our cells, |
| proven mechanisms that explain how | | | | tissues, muscles, organs, and glands.Many |
| acupuncture relieves pain; 1. Gate Theory | | | | things can cause Qi to become blocked: poor |
| | | | diet, physical trauma, emotional trauma, |
| Once inserted, the needle activates the | | | | inherited weakness, many disease processes, |
| myelinated nervous system fibers which | | | | and chemical, physical, and emotional stress, |
| ultimately stops the pain message from | | | | just to name a few.By inserting fine sterile |
| getting to the T-cells in the dorsal horn of | | | | needles at specific points, blockages of Qi |
| the spinal cord (closes the 'Gate'). | | | | that cause pain are cleared and smooth flow |
| Therefore the pain message does not transmit | | | | is restored. Once this is accomplished, pain |
| to the thalamus/cortex in the brain (these | | | | will vanish.Treatment ProtocolsIt is not |
| areas normally interpret these messages and | | | | uncommon for there to be significant relief |
| make you feel pain)2. Opiate Theory | | | | after just one treatment. Most often with |
| | | | acute pain, between 2-4 treatments for 1-3 |
| Once inserted, the needle activates the | | | | weeks is usually required to obtain optimal |
| midbrain to release beta-endorphins into the | | | | pain relieving effects. As for chronic pain, |
| cerebral spinal fluid and met-enkephalin into | | | | 1-2 treatments per week for longer durations |
| the plasma. This cascade causes the release | | | | is usually necessary.Any pain condition may |
| of other neurotransmitters that block the | | | | involve combination with other pain relieving |
| sensations of pain. Both endorphins and | | | | modalities (yoga, fitness rehabilitation, |
| enkephalins are naturally occurring | | | | physiotherapy, etc). Herbal salves and |
| opiate-like substances produced by the body | | | | preparations along with certain recommended |
| in situations that require analgesia. Opiates | | | | supplements may also enter the scope of |
| are the fundamental compounds that | | | | treatment. Other traditional techniques such |
| Pharmaceutical painkillers such as codeine | | | | as cupping and moxibustion are also |
| and morphine are built from.3. Antihistamine | | | | frequently employed. You may also be asked to |
| Theory | | | | perform some simple techniques at home or |
| | | | work between treatments to aid treatment |
| Once inserted, the needle activates a | | | | efficacy.Spence Pentland of Vancouver BC |
| process which regulates (reduces) the amount | | | | Canada received his five year Doctor of TCM |
| of histamine and bradykinin in the blood. | | | | education from the International College of |
| These substances are what causes inflammation | | | | Traditional Chinese Medicine Vancouver. To |
| and pain when chronic or acute injury | | | | complete his studies he spent 500 hours at |
| occurs.Traditional Acupuncture TheoryEnergy | | | | Anhui Hospital of TCM Hefei City, in the |
| (Qi) circulates within the body through a | | | | Peoples Republic of China. He is a licensed |
| series of pathways called meridians, similar | | | | and registered member of the Canadian |
| to blood vessels. Wherever blood flows it | | | | Traditional Chinese Medicine Association, is |
| brings with it nourishment and life giving | | | | the President of the Traditional Chinese |
| qualities to the surrounding tissues and | | | | Medicine Association of British Columbia |
| organs. Qi is the vital force necessary to | | | | (TCMABC and practices at Acubalance Wellness |
| keep the heart pumping so that blood will be | | | | Centre ( he treats only Men's reproductive |
| transported as needed. More broadly, Qi gives | | | | health ( Women's fertility issues. |
| that same life force to every single cell, | | | | |