Experience the healing power of acupuncture and improve your overall well-being.
Acupuncture is an evidence based therapeutic modality that involves the insertion of very fine needles through the skin and superficial tissues at specific points in the body. It is used to reduce pain and promote healing, thereby improving function. Acupuncture stimulates the body to produce endorphins, our own pain-relieving hormones. These endorphins can help block the ability to feel pain, relax tension in muscles, and restore biochemical balance in the tissues, making for healthier tissues. There can also be a local increase in blood flow to the muscles stimulated by the needles, reducing tension and inflammation. When done by trained professionals, using sterile and safe procedures, acupuncture is equally as safe as manual or exercise therapy. Acupuncture is an additional modality that your therapist may suggest to help with your specific injury. Should you choose to go ahead with this treatment, it will be done as a part of your regular treatment session and, therefore, there will be no extra cost and it will be covered by any insurance plan under the practitioner you are seeing.
At Inertia Physio+, acupuncture is available as part of your Physiotherapy sessions with Andrew Peters or Natasha Loewen or through Acupuncture with our Certified Acupuncturist and Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner, Lei Chen.
In Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine appointments, Lei will determine the best approach for each individual however, she generally combines acupuncture, cupping, gua sha, and moxa in her treatment sessions. She also provides services in tui na massage and cosmetic facial acupuncture. These modalities are all part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. They are convenient and effective traditional therapies with a history of thousands of years. They are safe and have few side effects. Lei also practices Japanese acupuncture diagnosis and gentle needling technique. This softer style of acupuncture is very tolerable.
Acupuncture and moxibustion can adjust the system function of the body and enhance the body’s resistance to disease, strengthen the organs and immune system.
Also called moxa, the stick is usually made from the dried leafy material of Chinese mugwort. The glowing end of the moxa stick is held by the therapist about an inch or two above the surface of the skin until the area reddens and becomes warm. Moxibustion is often used in combination with acupuncture. Its purpose is to strengthen the immune system, stimulate the flow of Qi or energy, dispel certain pathogenic influences, warm inner body and maintain good health.
Gua sha and cupping are based on the skin theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, to promote blood stasis, dredge the meridians, relax sinews and smooth body energy, dispelling pathogens, reducing swelling and promoting analgesia.
A therapist puts special cups on your skin for a few minutes to create suction. It can reduce muscle and sinew pain, help with inflammation, blood flow, digestion, relaxation, clearing of the pores and releasing of toxins.
Gua sha therapy involves scraping your skin with a massage tool to improve your blood and lymph circulation. Gua sha can relieve muscle, sinew and joint pain, promote circulation of body fluid, keep health and beauty.
Tuina massage stimulates the flow of qi to promote balance and harmony within the body using many of the same principles of acupuncture. The practitioner may brush, knead, roll, press, and rub the areas between each of the joints. By applying pressure to meridians, acupoints, and groups of muscles and nerves, tui na removes blockages and works deeply with the positive energy of the body. Tuina massage can be used to treat pain and illness, or to maintain good health. The technique is effective in reducing stress, encouraging relaxation, and deepening sleep. It’s often used for conditions and injuries related to the musculoskeletal and nervous systems, but can also treat:
Lei is experienced in treating pain disorders such as:
She also enjoys working with disorders in other systems of the body, such as:
All services with Lei Chen are covered under Acupuncture and covered by most or all insurance plans. Please check with your insurance company as a few require that this service be provided by a medical doctor in order to cover it.
Acupuncture as a part of your Physiotherapy appointment with Drew Peters or Natasha Loewen will be covered by Physiotherapy under any insurance plan you may have.
The team at Inertia physio has single-handedly fixed me. They're extremely knowledgeable and compassionate -- providing top-notch service.
I really appreciate how the physiotherapists take the time to work on you for a full 30 minutes as opposed to the typical 5-10 minutes and then 30 minutes of hot towels and other automated processes you see at other clinics.
I feel like I owe this place so much for helping to get my life and favourite activities back and will certainly never hesitate to recommend Inertia Physio+ to everyone I know.
I have been seeing Sarah for a few years and she has always put me back "together" from hip replacements, to knee injuries, daily injuries from having a son who is 6ft9 and has Autism.
My whole family are action sports enthusiasts, mountain bikers, competitive skiers, rugby players etc, so stuff happens! Sarah has brought us back from numerous injuries, from the minor soft tissue damage to traumatic multiple bone break rehabilitation and everything in between.
Great service and all of needs were addressed phenomenally. Natasha was an amazing physiotherapist. Very attentive and kind. Highly recommend
