A principal component of Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture seeks to rebalance any physical or mental/emotional dysfunction through the use of very fine needles inserted at strategic points on the body.
Practitioners have used this non-invasive medical system to diagnose and help millions of people become well and stay well. Acupuncture is sanctioned by the World Health Organization as a safe and effective way to treat a wide variety of medical problems and to improve overall function and wellbeing when administered by a well-trained acupuncturist.
Our Evolve acupuncturist, Dr. Peter Wood, is not only a licensed and registered acupuncture practitioner (RAc) — he is one of the best acupuncturists working in Vancouver.
FAQs
The number of treatments required varies for everyone. Some people experience immediate relief while others may take months or even years to achieve results. Chronic conditions usually take longer to resolve than acute ones. Expect a minimum of one month to see significant changes. Some acupuncturist experts say to expect one month for every year you’ve had the problem.
Patients should feel a slight sensation as the needles are inserted. While it is not unpleasant, the sensation varies. You may experience a vague numbness, heaviness, tingling, or dull ache where the acupuncture needle has been inserted. All these reactions are good and a sign that the treatment is working. Afterward you may feel energized or a deep sense of relaxation and wellbeing. As Dr. Wood is a highly skilled acupuncture practitioner, any pain will be minimized.
The depth of the insertion varies depending on the target area, but needles are typically inserted at depths ranging between 3mm to 12mm (1/8” to 1/2”).
Acupuncture is extremely safe for adults and children. It is an all-natural, drug-free therapy, with no side effects except feelings of relaxation and wellbeing. There is little danger of infection from acupuncture needles because they are sterile, used once and then disposed of.
Dr. Wood is both a registered acupuncture practitioner in Vancouver and a doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine — he is highly skilled at both diagnosing the treatments his patients require to resolve issues, and inserting the fine, sterile acupuncture needles at specific acupuncture points on your body to promote natural healing.
This is the World Health Organization’s list of the benefits of acupuncture:
- Acute and chronic pain control
- Asthma
- Muscle spasms, tremors, tics, contractures
- Anxiety, fright, panic
- Drug detoxification
- Certain functional gastrointestinal disorders (nausea and vomiting, esophageal spasm, hyperacidity, irritable bowel)
- Headache, vertigo, tinnitus
- Phantom pain
- Frozen shoulder
- Cervical and lumbar spine syndromes
- Plantar fasciitis
- Arthritis/arthrosis
- Bursitis, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome
- Sprains and contusions
- In fractures, assisting in pain control, edema, and enhancing healing process
- Pelvic pain
- Anorexia
- Atypical chest pain (negative workup)
- Idiopathic palpitations, sinus tachycardia
- Allergic sinusitis
- Persistent hiccups
- Selected skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis)
- Constipation, diarrhea
- Urinary incontinence, retention
- Abdominal distention/flatulence
- Severe hyperthermia
- Cough with contraindications for narcotics
- Anesthesia for high-risk patients or patients with previous adverse responses to anesthetics
