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