Oakville Acupuncture Frequently Asked Questions
What is acupuncture used for?
At our Oakville clinic, acupuncture is used by Dr Jenn Garven to treat conditions of the muscles and joints. It can alleviate tight muscles and relieve joint pain and stiffness. If you’re looking for a solution to your pain and discomfort, acupuncture is definitely worth a try! Can Dr. Jenn use acupuncture to help with my migraines?
How does acupuncture work?
Dr. Jenn uses acupuncture points that are all based around nerve pathways. Inserting the needles along these specific pathways helps to reduce nerve irritation and improve neural functioning. Acupuncture also increases blood flow to the areas where the needles are inserted. This increase in blood flow helps to decrease the tension in tight muscles and flush away inflammation. Looking for more information? Contact our Oakville Acupuncture Clinic.
Does acupuncture hurt?
No! When the needles are inserted through tight muscles, it can sometimes feel a little bit achy. Once the needles are at their designated depth you won’t feel them at all!
What qualifications does an acupuncturist need?
There are a few different acupuncture training programs available. A Traditional Chinese Medicine Program or a more contemporary approach. Our acupuncture provider, Dr. Jenn, was trained at McMaster University in Contemporary Medical Acupuncture.
What are the side effects of acupuncture?
When completed by a trained professional, such as Oakville’s Dr. Jenn Garven, there are very few side effects of acupuncture. Minor bruising can occur if you have sensitive skin or bruise easily.
Our acupuncture patients usually leave feeling relaxed and report sleeping better following the treatment.
Does acupuncture really work?
Yes! Acupuncture is a great treatment option for both acute and chronic conditions. At our Oakville acupuncture clinic, we focus on musculoskeletal conditions. Learn more about what happens in an acupuncture treatment by Dr. Jenn.
Can acupuncture be dangerous?
If acupuncture is performed by untrained individuals then it can be dangerous. When performed by qualified practitioners acupuncture is safe and effective.
Does acupuncture work immediately?
One of the best things about acupuncture is that it starts to work so quickly. Dr. Jenn typically sees improvement starting within the first 1-4 sessions!
How big are the needles?
The needles come in many different lengths and widths. Different lengths of needles are used on different body parts. For example, any needles used in the glutes are longer than the ones used in the hands. Different body types also require different needle lengths. The needles are different widths as well, but we typically use 0.2mm to 0.25mm.
What conditions can be treated by acupuncture?
At our clinic, we treat all pain related to muscles and joints. Acupuncture can treat muscle strains, joint sprains, arthritis-related pain and fibromyalgia. Whether the condition is acute or chronic, acupuncture can be a very effective treatment modality.
What should you do after an acupuncture session?
Dr. Jenn always tells her patients that you don’t need to avoid any physical activity after acupuncture. You can carry on with your daily activities as normal. If you don’t drink water regularly, we suggest drinking a glass or two prior to going to bed!
Can you feel worse after acupuncture?
Not typically! Acupuncture usually starts to make a positive change quickly. The worst outcome is just getting no change at all – but acupuncture does not make you feel worse.
How often should you have acupuncture?
The best answer we can give to this question is — ‘ it depends’. It depends on the condition, how long the condition has been present, the age of the patient, lifestyle factors and the goals of the patient. In most cases, Dr. Jenn suggests trying at least 4 acupuncture sessions, after which point she will have a good idea of how successful the acupuncture treatment will be!
What are acupuncture points ?
Acupuncture points are all based along nerve pathways. The acupuncture meridians follow specific nerve paths and the acupuncture points are all specific anatomical points where the nerves become more superficial (closer to the skin) and therefore accessible to acupuncture needles.
Can acupuncture help sports injuries?
Yes! Acupuncture is a great treatment option for athletes! Acupuncture helps to treat a variety of injuries including pulled muscles, sprained ligaments, muscle tears and more! Suffering from knee pain? Acupuncture can help!