Acupuncture is a technique that involves inserting very thin needles into specific points on the body. Acupuncture may be performed by your manual therapist (eg. chiropractor or massage therapist), and usually focuses on local points to address a musculoskeletal complaint (this is often referred to as "dry needling"). It may also be performed by a Naturopath or Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (Acupuncturist), who select the points based on Traditional Chinese Medicine.
According to the College of Traditional Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario, Traditional Chinese Medicine is a 2000 year old philosophy that uses the theory of Yin and Yang and the theory of Wu Xing to explain the mechanism of balancing the function of the body. After performing an intake and assessment, your practitioner will come up with an individualized treatment plan for you that may include a combination of herbal medicine and treatment modalities, such as acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, gua sha, and tui na.
