Category: Acupuncture

When you’re stressed and anxious, that’s a sign that your hormones are out of balance. Acupuncture is an amazing natural option for reducing stress and anxiety. Like exercise, it affects your physiology, emotions, hormones, and neurotransmitters. During the process, trained practitioners insert tiny needles into specific parts of the body to stimulate nerves.

Acupuncture regulates hormones through the bloodstream and neurotransmitters through the nervous system. In addition to its most common use, treating pain and soreness, this natural medicine has been used for thousands of years to treat everything from digestive issues to improving mental health. Today, we’ll show you how acupuncture is used to help with not only pain but also stress and anxiety.

How Acupuncture Can Relieve Stress

Now, it’s safe to say we’re all familiar with the word stress. This word was coined in the English language from Old French estrece, which means “oppression.” Over time, it evolved to describe the pressures and challenges we face in daily life. Today, it’s used to describe anything that causes the body to react in a manner other than its normal state of balance. A balance which is called homeostasis.

But how is it possible to achieve homeostasis through acupuncture?

In Chinese medicine, the pathways that allow the smooth flow of Qi (vital energy) are called meridians. Over time, chronic stress or intense emotions can block these pathways, disrupting energy flow and creating disharmony in the body.

Acupuncture restores this balance by stimulating specific points along the meridians. These points act as gateways to release energy blockages, ensuring that Qi flows freely throughout the body. By doing so, acupuncture not only reduces stress but also enhances overall well-being.

Imagine a river or a creek: when water flows freely, the ecosystem thrives. Similarly, acupuncture ensures the flow of Qi within your body is smooth and balanced, reducing the physical and emotional strain of chronic stress.

The Science Behind Acupuncture and Stress Relief

Your body is naturally equipped to handle stress. When stress arises, the autonomic nervous system activates, triggering the release of cortisol—the stress hormone. This prepares your body for a “fight or flight” response. However, when stress becomes chronic, this system stays in overdrive, leading to imbalances in your body and mind.

Acupuncture counters these effects by calming the nervous system, offering a natural and holistic approach to managing stress. By addressing both the physical and emotional components of stress, it provides numerous benefits, including:

● Reduces Cortisol Levels: Acupuncture lowers the body’s stress hormone levels, helping you feel calmer and more balanced.
● Activates the Parasympathetic Nervous System: Known as the “rest and digest” system, this activation allows your body to relax and recover from the stress response.
● Improves Blood Circulation: By enhancing blood flow, acupuncture supports better oxygenation of tissues and overall energy levels.
● Promotes Endorphin Release: These natural “feel-good” chemicals alleviate pain, reduce anxiety, and encourage a sense of well-being.
● Balances Qi Flow: Acupuncture clears blockages in your meridians, restoring the smooth flow of energy to maintain harmony in your body and mind.
● Supports Better Sleep: Acupuncture helps improve sleep quality and combat insomnia caused by stress by calming the nervous system.
● Relieves Tension: It relaxes tight muscles, reducing physical symptoms of stress such as headaches or back pain.

Consider Acupuncture Today

Chronic stress has become an epidemic in the 21st century. We are constantly under stress, with increasingly high cortisol levels and a parasympathetic nervous system that is always under attack.
What does chronic stress do to us? Our nervous system is in constant overdrive. Our body is tired but wired, our sleep is constantly disrupted, our digestive system shuts down, and our mind is constantly making lists that are never-ending. As a result, we get increasingly anxious and potentially depressed.

Here at Calgary Integrative Medicine, we’ve seen hundreds of people with high-stress levels over the years. But with our combined expertise in natural medicine, we can help you break this perpetual cycle of low energy and stress.

Meet Dr. Adriano Silva – Your Acupuncturist at Calgary Integrative Medicine

Dr. Silva has been practicing acupuncture since 2003, starting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, before moving to Calgary in 2009. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy, specializing in Sports Medicine and Postural Correction, and has completed extensive training in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in both Brazil and Canada. His expertise includes women’s health, general wellness, and movement/postural disorders.

Believing that physical and mental health go hand in hand, Dr. Silva combines acupuncture, diet, and lifestyle coaching to help patients achieve balance. When not at the clinic, he is the owner and master instructor at ADirection Pilates and enjoys cycling, rock climbing, and Pilates training.

If you’re looking for a natural way to relieve stress, book an appointment today and experience the benefits of acupuncture with Dr. Silva.

Dealing with chronic pain or stress can be difficult and exhausting, but acupuncture may offer some relief.

Acupuncture is a popular form of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that uses fine needles to stimulate specific points in your body to improve health and well-being. It’s often used to treat conditions such as chronic pain, stress, anxiety and insomnia.

While it has been proven to be a safe and effective treatment, most people are still unsure of what to expect and how to prepare for their first appointment.

Here are some of the tips to prepare yourself for your first acupuncture appointment to get the most out of your experience:

1. Take some time to relax

Mental and physical relaxation are both essential for an effective acupuncture session.

Before your appointment, take some time out of your day and do something that helps you relax. Go for a walk, take a warm bath, listen to music, read a book, or do breathing exercises.

Focusing on relaxation and calming your mind will help create the right environment for acupuncture to be successful. Avoid any strenuous activity or stressful situations a few hours before your appointment, as this can put unnecessary strain on your body.

2. Get enough sleep

A good night’s sleep will help you prepare for acupuncture, as it can relax your body, restore energy levels, reduce stress, and increase blood circulation.

Any signs of fatigue can make it difficult for the practitioner to identify and treat the right points, so aim to get between 7-8 hours of quality sleep the night before your session.

3. Dress comfortably

Greet your acupuncturist in comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that will allow them to access specific points in the body that need to be stimulated with needles.

For example, a loose shirt and pants are better than a tight-fitting blouse, jeans, or dress. It’s also best to avoid wearing jewelry like bracelets, necklaces, watches, and other accessories that could interfere with the needles.

4. Drink plenty of water

Nourishing your body with plenty of fluids before your acupuncture session is key to getting the best results. Water helps flush out toxins from the body and keep it hydrated, allowing for better energy absorption during the treatment.

Drinking lots of water even after your appointment is equally important as it will help keep the energy flowing in your body to make you feel more relaxed.

5. Eat something light

Carrying out any form of physical treatment on an empty stomach can make you feel lightheaded and dizzy. Therefore, eating something light before your appointment is always a good idea.

Stick to foods that are easy on the stomach and won’t cause digestive discomfort. Avoid fast food and other processed snacks, as these can leave you feeling sluggish and tired.

6. Avoid alcohol and caffeine

Even a tiny amount of alcohol or caffeine before an acupuncture session can interfere with the effectiveness of the treatment. Alcohol is a depressant that can make you feel lethargic, while caffeine is a stimulant that can cause restlessness.

Avoid both substances for at least 24 hours before your appointment so that your body is most relaxed when undergoing acupuncture.

7.  Prepare your medical history

During the session, briefly outline your medical history so the acupuncturist can better understand what’s causing your pain or stress.

Write down any medications you’re taking, any surgeries or injuries that have occurred in the past, and other health-related issues relevant to the session. Doing this will help the acupuncturist create the right treatment plan for you.

Final thoughts

Maintaining a positive attitude and a relaxed state of mind will make your acupuncture appointment much more effective.

If you are feeling stressed or anxious, try talking to your acupuncturist before the session starts for some tips on relaxing and becoming more comfortable with the process.

At Calgary Integrative Medicine, our highly trained practitioners are dedicated to helping you find relief from your pain and other health concerns.

Book your first appointment with us today and experience the healing effects of acupuncture.

Practiced for thousands of years by Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners, acupuncture is an accepted and effective treatment for chronic pain. Add to that the low risk of side effects, and acupuncture seems like a great alternative to conventional medication and medical treatments, especially for those seeking a holistic approach to wellness. Can acupuncture help you with chronic pain? Read on to learn more.

What is Acupuncture and Does it Work for Chronic Pain?

The fundamental idea behind acupuncture is the belief that your body has two forces – yin and yang. In order to achieve optimal health, these two forces must be in perfect balance, and acupuncture is one of the ways to help your body achieve this balance. While this may seem odd to those used to a more conventional, Western-style of medical care, it’s generally accepted that acupuncture has an effect on the body’s nervous system. In practical terms, acupuncture is the practice of inserting small, thin, flexible needles in your skin at precise locations on the body to stimulate the body’s nervous system. Despite the way its administered, acupuncture therapy is considered a fairly non-invasive and gentle treatment.

You can’t just stick needles in random places, however. The body has over 300 different and precise points that can be stimulated by acupuncture, on the back, head, feet, arms, and even around major blood vessels and nerves. These points can be stimulated to address chronic pain and aid in healing. This stimulation of the nervous system results in the release of natural painkillers and affects the areas in your brain that process pain, effectively controlling endorphin levels and treating chronic pain. In short, yes, acupuncture does work for chronic pain.

Patients receiving regular acupuncture therapy typically report relief from chronic pain and an overall feeling of wellbeing. Moreover, patients receiving acupuncture therapy for chronic pain often report additional benefits such as improved sleep, energy levels, and digestion, as well as lower stress levels. In particular, acupuncture works exceptionally well on patients experiencing lower back pain and migraines.

What Chronic Pain Conditions Can Acupuncture Help?

Acupuncture therapy can help with a variety of chronic pain conditions, including:

• Lower back pain.
• Neck pain.
• Osteoarthritis.
• Chronic headaches and migraines.
• Temporomandibular pain.
• Pelvic pain.

Additionally, acupuncture therapy has even been shown to be effective in reducing certain side effects of cancer, such as nausea and vomiting, as well as other conditions like sleep disorders, menstrual pain, and stress. Acupuncture isn’t just about treating symptoms, rather it involves identifying the root cause of the condition you’re trying to overcome and achieving overall balance and wellness.

Acupuncture Treatment for Chronic Pain in Calgary

Like many other treatments, acupuncture begins with an initial consultation where you’ll get to talk to a professional acupuncturist about the pain you’re experiencing. You’ll be given a realistic idea of how much you can expect your chronic pain to improve through acupuncture, and treatment will be scheduled if there’s a good fit.

At Calgary Integrative Medicine, our professionals deliver professional acupuncture in NW Calgary to patients who depend on it for chronic pain relief and other concerns like anxiety, depression, and chronic diseases. If you’re suffering from a medical condition and haven’t achieved satisfactory results from conventional medical treatments, reach out to us today at 403-202-7272 or contact us online to book a consultation and find out if acupuncture can offer the pain relief you seek.

Acupuncture is something that most of us have at least somewhat of an idea of, yet so few actively take advantage of it. If you’ve heard of acupuncture before but don’t know much about it, you probably think that it’s only used to treat muscle pain, yet its benefits spread far beyond simple pain management. With millions of adults across the globe suffering from anxiety, it’s only reasonable that some have turned to acupuncture for anxiety relief.

While studies are still being done on the specific effects acupuncture has on anxiety, a few benefits have already surfaced. These alone should be reason enough to consider it as an alternative to the medications so many of us are prescribed. Here are our top four benefits of acupuncture for anxiety:  

Acupuncture is Relaxing

For starters, the simple act of laying down in a quiet space can help the edge off the anxiety that haunts you, at least temporarily. Moving on to the acupuncture itself, needles are inserted into specific points on your body rather than randomly. This stimulates the nerve-rich areas to activate your body’s natural healing processes. In turn, your muscles relax and release the stress and anxiety stored within them, relaxing you both physically and mentally. 

Acupuncture Releases Endorphins

Endorphins are the reason behind that amazing feeling you get after a great workout or a good meal. Biologically, endorphins are naturally occurring hormones that both make you feel good and act as a natural pain killer. When needles are inserted during acupuncture therapy, the body reacts with an immune response, part of which involves the release of endorphins. In fact, it’s quite normal for patients to experience “acupuncture high,” similar to a “runner’s high,” after an acupuncture session.   

Acupuncture Improves Your Sleep

One of the main benefits of acupuncture is that it relieves both mental and physical stress. So much so, that some patients even doze off during their sessions, and most report better sleep after an acupuncture session. Even if your anxiety isn’t keeping you awake at night, you might be surprised to find out that your sleep will likely improve after your first acupuncture session. Most patients report deeper sleep and waking up feeling more rested. Many regular patients even go as far as saying that the night of their acupuncture treatment was the best night’s sleep they’ve had in a long time!   

Acupuncture Gives You More Energy

In addition to relaxing you and helping you sleep better, getting hundreds of tiny needles stuck into your skin can actually improve energy levels. Who would have thought? The reason behind this is that acupuncture isn’t just a way to relieve pain or anxiety, it improves your body’s overall function — and that includes energy levels. Acupuncture can help you feel more awake and alert and you may even begin to notice a little extra spring in your step after as little as just one session.

 

Acupuncture for Anxiety Relief in Calgary

It’s worth keeping in mind that acupuncture has different effects on different people, and what works for some may not work for you. Nevertheless, acupuncture is known to reduce anxiety symptoms in most patients and is definitely worth trying if you’re looking for a more natural way to relieve anxiety. If you want to find out more about acupuncture and whether it can work for you, get in touch with Calgary Integrative Medicine for more information and book your consultation today.

Acupuncture is one of the oldest traditions of Chinese medicine. This remedy is one of the most effective and natural ways that heal and soothe chronic pain associated with various illnesses. Here is how acupuncture in NW Calgary clinics can help relieve your chronic pain.

How Acupuncture In NW Calgary Can Help Your Chronic Pain

What Is Acupuncture? 

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been practiced for over 3,500 years. This method works through applying needles, heat, and pressure to specific points on the body. Invigorating these points release and redirect the body’s energy. This is thought to help because illnesses and pain are derived from blockages and imbalances. 

Why Acupuncture Helps Chronic Pain : 

People who deal with severe chronic pain no longer look at functional medicine as an exotic, scary remedy. Instead, it has become a well-known solution that invites a natural path for pain relief. According to traditional Chinese medical theory, acupuncture points located on meridians through which vital energy runs. Acupuncture points are places where nerves, muscles, and connective tissue are stimulated. Calgary NW Acupuncture doctors use this remedy to Increases blood flow while triggering the activity of the body’s natural painkillers.

It can help you with the following conditions:

Mental – Emotional : 

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Stress
• Insomnia

Upper Respiratory Tract: 

• Acute sinusitis
• Acute rhinitis
• Common Cold
• Acute Tonsillitis

Disorders of the eye:

• Acute conjunctivitis
• Central retinitis
• Myopia (in children)
• Cataract (without complications)

Diseases of the mouth:

• Toothache, post-extraction pain
• Gingivitis
• Acute and chronic pharyngitis

Gastrointestinal disorders:

• Spasms of the esophagus and cardia
• Hiccough
• Gastroptosis
• Acute and chronic gastritis
• Gastric hyperacidity
• Chronic duodenal ulcer (pain relief)
• Severe duodenal ulcer (without complications)
• Acute and chronic colitis
• Acute bacillary dysentery

Acupuncture can also be used effectively in:

• Adverse reactions to radiotherapy and chemotherapy
• Allergies
• Blood pressure problems
• Infertility
• Sexual dysfunction (low libido, erectile dysfunction)
• Breech position in pregnancy
• Induction of labour
• Rheumatoid arthritis

How To Find A Trusted Acupuncturist : 

It is not easy to trust just anyone to stick needles in you, so when picking an acupuncturist, here are a few tips that will help. 

1.Credentials

 Make sure your Calgary acupuncturist has the proper credentials. There are specific requirements that include education, training, and adequate certificate to practice acupuncture. Any practitioner should be able to provide its license numbers and should be up to date with continuing education.  

2.  The environment 

It is essential to make sure that the acupuncturist you decide to go to has a clean and safe environment. The cleanliness and sterilization of equipment is a massive indication if that practitioner is a good one. Blankets must be fresh, hands must be washed, needles must be sterilized, and all equipment should be on carts or tables with a clean floor. A clean environment is a considerable aspect that allows individuals to be in a relaxed state. 

3. Insurance 

It is crucial that if anything goes wrong during the procedure, both you and your acupuncturist are both covered for liability reasons. 

Calgary Integrative Medicine provides long-term, sustainable health solutions. We aim for the root cause when treating symptoms, and our methods are known to improve quality of life. From pain management to anti-ageing and chronic illness treatment, at Calgary Integrative Medicine, we want to get you on the road to healing and recovery. Give us a call at (403) 202-7272 or send an email to info@calgarymed.ca.