Contemporary Medical Acupuncture consists of using selected needling points consistent with the Traditional Chinese Medicine based (TCM) acupuncture points, however, approached from a medical/western or anatomical point of view. This approach focuses on and stimulates the peripheral and central nervous system and the tissues involved in a specific injury or condition.  With injuries often comes pain, and when an area is injured, pain signals are sent to the brain telling the body something is wrong, which in turn causes numerous reflexive changes (ie. muscle guarding).  Acupuncture helps to decrease these pain signals, relax the muscles, and promote blood flow to the area to rebuild and repair the tissues.    

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As in traditional acupuncture, Medical Acupuncture involves insertion of fine needles at relevant points on the body in combination with manual needle stimulation or electrical stimulation.  A diagnosis is attained through thorough history taking and physical examination. Based on this process, anatomical points that are relevant to the condition are selected for needling.

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The length of a typical Acupuncture session will vary depending on the condition. Acupuncture treatment may be combined with a chiropractic treatment which may include soft tissue work, joint mobilizations/manipulation and/or a stretching and strengthening routine.  The type of treatment that is recommended will depend on the nature on your diagnosis along with other aspects of your individual situation.