Vitality Rehabilitation

By Kalpana Daugherty0

Acupuncture is an ancient form of Chinese medicine involving the insertion of very fine needles into specific points in the body for therapeutic purposes or with the intent to relieve pain.

Originating in China almost 5,000 years ago, acupuncture is now practiced worldwide as a proven and effective treatment for a wide range of disorders including pain management, along with many other medical disorders. It is safe and effective and is often successfully used as an alternative to medications or even surgery. Relief is often obtained with acupuncture where traditional medical therapy has failed. The needles used for acupuncture treatments are very fine and thin, and are unlikely to cause any discomfort. In fact, many patients find acupuncture treatments relaxing.

Acupuncture should be performed by a chiropractor or other licensed health care professional (who has training in the medical/health sciences), who integrates traditional and modern acupuncture with western medical practice, to create a comprehensive treatment approach. It is a method which can influence three areas of health care:

• Promotion and maintenance of health and well-being;
• Prevention of illness; and
• Treatment of a wide range of medical and functional disorders.

While acupuncture is most often associated with pain control, in the hands of a well-trained practitioner it has much broader applications. The World Health Organization recognizes acupuncture and its effectiveness in treating a wide range of disorders including but not limited to:

• Headaches (including migraines)
• Neck, back, shoulder pain and sciatica
• Tendonitis
• Osteoarthritis
• Fertility (along with other reproductive disorders)
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Respiratory disorders including asthma, sinusitis, sore throat, bronchitis
• Digestive disorders including gastrointestinal disorders

Studies from around the world have shown that acupuncture is an effective treatment for the above ailments. Recent studies have also shown extremely positive results for the treatment of various types of headaches. The pain that headache and migraine sufferers endure can impact every aspect of their lives. Acupuncture offers relief without the side effects that prescription and over-the-counter drugs can cause.

A typical acupuncture treatment lasts approximately 15-30 minutes and some practitioners may manipulate the needles to strengthen or reduce the energy flow, which is also known as Qi (pronounced “Chee”). The needles are placed along “meridians” in the body, which are believed to be the “pathways” by which the Qi flows through the body.

Acupuncture is an acknowledged and respected field of medicine which requires formal training and certification to practice. In most provinces, acupuncture is regulated to ensure quality of treatment. Today, acupuncture is also covered by many insurance companies. Acupuncture is a science that can take years to master. Look for an acupuncturist with formal training and experience. Unlike Western medicine, where patients often experience side effects from their medication, acupuncture has virtually no side effects.

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At Vitality Rehabilitation, Dr. Alrick Daugherty has been practicing acupuncture with a very high success rate with many of his patients. Patients receiving acupuncture treatments by Dr. Daugherty have shown significant improvement in various ailments after their initial treatment.

Dr. Daugherty has especially seen strong results in patients complaining of various headaches including migraine headaches, TMJ (temporomandibular joint dysfunction), osteoarthritis of the knee, and shoulder pain. These patients have experienced significant improvement after their initial treatment. Unlike Western medicine, where patients often experience side effects from their medication, acupuncture has virtually no side effects.

If you have any questions, or would like to book an appointment with Dr. Daugherty at Vitality Rehabilitation please contact 519-579-7200.

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