What is Acupuncture?  

Acupuncture is an ancient form of Chinese medicine involving the insertion of solid filiform acupuncture needles into the skin at specific points on the body to achieve a therapeutic effect. No drug is injected. These very fine needles alone create the beneficial effects of acupuncture. [Soft Break][Soft Break]Acupuncture is used to encourage natural healing, reduce or relieve pain and improve function of affected areas of the body. It is safe and effective and is often successfully used as an alternative to medications or even surgery. Relief is often obtained with acupuncture when traditional medical therapy has failed.  

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How does acupuncture fit into a physiotherapy treatment plan at Wellington Ortho & Rehab? 

There is growing scientific support to the role that acupuncture plays in the treatment of pain and inflammation associated with soft tissue injury and ailment.  In Canada, licenced physiotherapists can and do incorporate acupuncture into their treatment plans with the following goals; 

At Wellington Ortho & Rehab, our physiotherapy team is trained and certified in the provision of acupuncture as a tool to help heal what ails you! 

Is Acupuncture safe? 

Acupuncture is a safe technique, provided that practitioners are properly trained and follow appropriate techniques. All members of the physiotherapy team at Wellington Ortho & Rehab are AFCI-trained practitioners of acupuncture and use only single-use, sterile disposable needles and have been trained regarding precautions and contraindications to acupuncture.[Soft Break]It is important to notify the practitioner if you are pregnant or could possibly be pregnant, as acupuncture treatment may have to be modified or may not be appropriate.  

How does Acupuncture work? 

Acupuncture is the stimulation, by insertion of needles, of specific points on the body which have the ability to alter various biochemical and physiological conditions. Acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins, which are the body’s natural pain-relieving neurohormones. Acupuncture affects the functioning of the hormonal system, promotes a decrease in inflammation, increased circulation and relief from pain.   

How many sessions of acupuncture will I need?  

Many people see a significant difference within one to two treatments but some take longer to respond, perhaps 5 or 6 sessions, depending on the condition being treated. If no difference is felt by the end of the fifth or sixth treatment, the diagnosis of the condition should be reconsidered and further medical investigations may be needed. [Soft Break][Soft Break]Chronic conditions may need repeat maintenance treatments to maintain the momentum after an initial period of frequent treatments. Post treatment exercise and discipline in diet is extremely important for continued improvement and recovery. [Soft Break][Soft Break]Generally treatments every second day (Mon, Wed and Fri) would be considered frequent treatment. Maintenance treatments could range from weekly to monthly or when symptoms begin to recur. 

What conditions can be helped with Acupuncture? 

There have been many studies on the usefulness and efficacy of acupuncture in the scientific literature. Study design and size have sometimes resulted in complexities in the measurement of outcomes with treatment, however promising results with acupuncture treatment have been shown in the treatment of many conditions. [Soft Break][Soft Break]Acupuncture is used to treat a vast number of painful conditions such as, but certainly not limited to sciatica, low back pain, sprains and strains, whiplash, headaches, as well as neurological, and other medical conditions or problems.  Recent studies have shown that acupuncture provides pain relief, and improves function for people with osteoarthritis of the knee and is an effective complement to standard care.  

For specific questions regarding how acupuncture may help you, please contact a member of our physiotherapy team.

Is acupuncture painful?  

Acupuncture is usually a comfortable treatment. Needles are very fine, metallic and as thin as a hair, making them quite painless upon insertion. Everyone experiences acupuncture differently, but most feel no pain or very minimal pain as the needles are inserted. You may experience a mild aching sensation or warmth around the needle site. 

Is acupuncture covered by insurance? 

]At Wellington Ortho & Rehab, our Physiotherapy Team often uses acupuncture as a tool in their overall treatment of your painful condition.  As such, the treatment is most often covered under the physiotherapy allowance of your extended health benefit.  However, many insurance plans do offer specific coverage for acupuncture treatment. To find out if your plan covers acupuncture specifically, and any limits to the number of treatments covered, you should contact your insurance company directly. Furthermore, acupuncture is often also covered if you sustained a workplace injury or were injured in a motor vehicle accident.   

Please feel free to ask any staff member at Wellington Ortho & Rehab, and we’ll be happy to assist you with this. 

What is the Canadian Physiotherapy Association’s position on the use of acupuncture by physiotherapists in Canada? 

To see the full POSITION STATEMENT on acupuncture, issued by the Canadian Physiotherapy Association, click on  -link. 

(In a separate window, the following Position Statement pops up) 

POSITION STATEMENT  

Canadian Physiotherapy Association position statements address political, ethical and social issues that impact patient welfare, the role and practice of physiotherapy, the Association and its members. NATIONAL OFFICE JUNE 2006 2345 Yonge Street, Suite 410 Toronto, Ontario M4P 2E5 T: 416-932-1888 / F: 416-932-9708 www.physiotherapy.ca  

ACUPUNCTURE AND THE USE OF DRY NEEDLNG TECHNIQUES IN PHYSIOTHERAPY  

STATEMENT  

Acupuncture and other techniques using dry needles* are interventions included under the scope of practice for physiotherapists in Canada for the treatment of pain and other symptoms of musculoskeletal, neurological and cardio-respiratory disorders, or as a measure to improve functional health status.  

BACKGROUND  

The practice of physiotherapy focuses on the musculoskeletal, cardio-respiratory and neuromuscular systems. As self-regulated primary care professionals, physiotherapists use clinical reasoning based on initial assessment findings and best available evidence to select the interventions used within their treatment plan. Evaluation of treatment effectiveness is outcomes–based, which informs selection of interventions throughout the duration of treatment  

Acupuncture has been utilized as a physiotherapy intervention in Canada since the 1980s. In recent years, physiotherapists have also incorporated additional dry needling techniques, such as Intra Muscular Stimulation (IMS) within their practice. Physiotherapists are required to adhere to the regulatory requirements for the education and use of these interventions in the jurisdiction(s) in which they practice.  

RATIONALE  

Acupuncture/dry needling techniques may form part of the physiotherapy treatment plan that is developed through the clinical reasoning process. There is growing evidence that acupuncture/dry needling techniques are effective in the management of both acute and chronic conditions. For example, acupuncture is a useful intervention in a range of conditions including, but not limited to, the treatment of headaches,1 shoulder pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoarthritis, stroke rehabilitation and some chronic respiratory conditions.2 In addition there is evidence to support the use of acupuncture/dry needling techniques as adjuncts to other therapies in the treatment of low back pain.3  

CPA supports an evidence-based, best practice approach to the use of acupuncture/ dry needling techniques within physiotherapy practice, and the need for ongoing research to expand the knowledge base behind the effectiveness of these interventions.  

* The term ‘dry needling’ refers to therapeutic techniques using solid needles, and does not include injection of a substance into the tissues.  

1 Melchart, D., Linde, K., Berman, B., White, A., Vickers, A., Allais, G., Brinkhaus, B. (2006). Acupuncture for idiopathic headache. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Issue 1.  

2 National Institute of Health. (1997). Acupuncture NIH Consensus Statement. Nov 3-5; 15(5):1-34.  

3 Furlan, A.D., van Tulder, M.W., Cherkin, D.C., Tsukayama, H., Lao, L., Koes, B.W., Berman, B.M. (2006). Acupuncture and dry-needling for low back pain. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Issue 1.