Acupuncture in Ottawa, Barrhaven, & Nepean

Electro-acupuncture is a modern variation of traditional acupuncture that uses needles connected to a mild electrical current. The current further stimulates the acupuncture points to regulate abnormal signals of your nervous system. It also substitutes for the prolonged hand manoeuvring required in certain situations where additional stimulation is needed. The electro-acupuncture stimulation is constant, whereas hand stimulation will be varied and inconsistent. The small amount of electricity running through the electrodes might cause a slight vibration or soft hum during treatment, but you’ll feel no pain from the current. Electro-acupuncture can be used for many conditions, including:

• Repetitive use injuries (such as tendinitis)
• Muscle and joint sprains and strains
• Performance care treatments
• Post-surgical rehab
• Frozen shoulder
• Plantar fasciitis
• Back injuries

Cupping therapy is an ancient technique where glass (or plastic) cups are applied to the body with suction. This suction increases local blood flow to help relieve tightness, trigger points, and pain. It’s been shown that injured and painful muscles are affected by decreased blood flow and increased lactate levels, resulting in even more pain.

Cupping relaxes tense muscles and reduces stiffness associated with chronic back and neck pain, migraines, rheumatism, and fatigue. Athletes have been known to use cupping therapy to naturally improve performance and reduce stiffness, muscle cramps, joint pains and scar tissue caused by injuries. It also helps increase blood flow and draws oxygenated blood rich in nutrients under your skin to the areas it’s needed. Cupping can last anywhere between 5 and 30 minutes. Bruising can be a normal side effect, which might last up to 5 days.

Facial cupping treatment increases blood circulation and facilitates lymphatic drainage. As a result, the facial muscles are more relaxed, the tissues receive an increased intake of oxygen and nutrients, and you’ll more easily eliminate toxins and excess water. It’s a very relaxing treatment that reduces swelling, headaches, earaches, jaw pain, facial paralysis, and sinusitis, with the added benefit of reducing the appearance of wrinkles.

Anti-cellulite cupping treatment stimulates blood circulation causing the breakdown of cellulite and the elimination of fats and toxins through the lymphatic system. The massage relaxes the connective tissue and the adhesion of the fascia promoting smoother, more healthy-looking skin.

Some people simply dislike the feeling, however slight, of a needle penetrating their skin. Laser acupuncture is an alternative that allows you to experience the benefits of this amazing healing system without the needles. A cold laser is applied over the same acupuncture/meridian points of traditional needle acupuncture. Laser acupuncture has been shown to be as effective as needle acupuncture, and allows practitioners to treat points they otherwise might not be able to treat, due to patient age, sensitivity, or fear. It’s also virtually side-effect and pain free.

The NADA protocol consists of the insertion of small, disposable stainless-steel acupuncture needles into five points on the outer surface of your ear. The points used in the NADA protocol are sympathetic, shen men, kidney, liver, and lung. Typically, patients are cared for in a quiet, comfortable room, giving them an appropriate space to sit quietly and relax.

Dozens of studies have documented the effectiveness of the NADA protocol. Among the benefits reported by patients and health care providers are improved retention in drug treatment programs; more optimistic attitudes about detoxification and recovery; reductions in cravings and anxiety; fewer episodes of sleep disturbance; and reduced need for pharmaceuticals.

This total body treatment takes the benefits of both cupping and acupuncture and spreads it along your entire body. The combination of treatments helps relax tense muscles, reduce pain, helps relieve chronic pain, migraines, and much more. This full body treatment stimulates blood flow, which helps detoxify through the drainage and cleansing of lymph nodes in your body.

Many athletes also use this treatment to relieve muscle tension and aid their performance prior to their sporting event. Full body cupping/acupuncture may also help with colds and flu, anxiety, depression, allergies, fevers, aches, poor circulation and improve sleeping.