Acupuncture pressure points are located in many areas of the body. These points are often far removed from the site of actual pain. Your practitioner will tell you which areas he or she plans to treat. You will then lie on a padded table, and the treatment will involve the following:
Insertion of Needles: The needles used are extremely thin, so there’s limited discomfort involved. In a typical treatment, between 5 and 20 needles are used. When a needle reaches the required depth, you may feel a sensation of mild aching.
- Manipulation of the Needles: After placement, the practitioner may gently twirl or move the needles, or apply mild electrical pulses or heat to them.
- Removal of Needles: The acupuncture needles sometimes remain in position for 10 to 20 minutes while you relax and lie still. When removed, there’s usually no discomfort.
- After Treatment: Some patients feel energized and others relaxed after acupuncture. Sometimes the benefits can be difficult to measure, but most people find it an effective way of controlling a range of painful conditions. Since there are virtually no side effects, it may be worth considering if you’re struggling to control pain with more conventional methods.
I’m Dr. Kramarchuk. My dedicated team and I at Sprains & Strains offer a full range of physical and medical services to treat any type of injury, whether it’s sustained in a car accident, in the workplace, at home, or playing professional or recreational sports. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment for acupuncture or any of our other services.