Kelowna Acupuncturist

What Is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is one of the therapies included in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It is used extensively by one quarter of the world’s population and has been used for over 3000 years. The use of acupuncture is now expanding rapidly in the Western world, and it is now covered by many extended health benefit plans and insurance policies such as ICBC. This ancient art of healing involves the painless insertion of very fine needles into specific points to achieve a therapeutic effect in the treatment of a wide variety of health conditions. Acupuncture, along with herbal treatments, nutrition, and therapeutic exercise like Qi Gong and Tai Chi, works with the natural systems of the body to promote its ability to heal itself.

Is Kelowna Acupuncture Safe?

Acupuncture needles are very fine, sterile, disposable, and FDA approved. A licensed acupuncturist has had thorough training on the safe implementation of this treatment modality, and typically undergoes at least 2 years of undergraduate education followed by 4 years of postgraduate study in Chinese medicine. The practice of acupuncture in BC is regulated by the CTCMA, which requires all practitioners demonstrate the necessary knowledge and practical experience needed to safely and effectively administer acupuncture. Treatments are generally painless and found to be pleasurable and relaxing.

What Else Can Acupuncture Help With?

Since acupuncture works by restoring balance to the system and promoting our body’s ability to heal itself, it can benefit a wide variety of health conditions. In cases where the body is struggling to self regulate its various body systems, acupuncture can restore functional health to our systems and guide us back to optimal health. This is often seen in chronic fatigue syndrome, women’s health concerns such as infertility and PMS, and in digestive system issues like IBS that often resolve completely.

With chronic degenerative diseases like MS, Parkinson’s disease, and autoimmune disorders such like rheumatoid arthritis, acupuncture can alleviate symptoms and often prolong periods of remission. Another important use of acupuncture is in the treatment of neurological diseases like stroke recovery, where it can be one of the most important tools in a rehabilitation program to rebuild neural pathways. When natural healing is impossible and strong medication needs to be used, such as chemotherapy for the treatment of cancer, acupuncture can effectively treat the side effects of the medication.

According to the World Health Organization, acupuncture has been found to be an effective therapy for the following health conditions:

Auricular Acupuncture

In his practice, Falko also uses Auricular Acupuncture. This is a system of medicine involving diagnosis and treatment through points on the ear. Modern auricular medicine originated in the discoveries of a French medical doctor named Paul Nogier, who conducted clinical trials and developed a model in which the brain’s map of the body is projected onto the ear. These findings were brought to China and throughout Europe and integrated into many healthcare initiatives such as the Barefoot Doctor movement.

Points are diagnosed by measuring differences in electric conductivity, sensitivity, and visual changes on the skin of the ear. Once active points relating to the symptoms or disease are found, they are treated either with needling, electrotherapy, pressure, lasers, or magnets. This sends a signal to the area of the brain relating to the affected region of the body, bringing an improvement in health outcomes. Ear points often bring a quick relief of symptoms and are especially useful in difficult cases such as pain management and mental health.