COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS 1) Does it hurt?

Most often people barely feel the needle go in. Sometimes a point will be sensitive, but this small sting or pinch only lasts for a second. Tell your acupuncturist if a needle hurts during the treatment and they will adjust it for you. There should be no pain or discomfort during the treatment itself.

2) Any danger of infections?

The needles are sterile and have never been used on anyone else. The needles are used only once and then disposed.

3) Is the treatment itself dangerous?

Acupuncture is very safe. It is a treatment for balancing the body and gently engaging and enhancing the body's ability to heal itself.

4) Is it safe during and after pregnancy?

Acupuncture can help the health of both the mom and the developing baby. It is important that you tell the acupuncturist you are pregnant and they will choose special points to help you.

5) What should I do before treatment?

Eat! You should eat a small meal or snack approximately an hour before treatment.

6) How will I feel after Acupuncture?

Usually rather relaxed and calm. Occasionally you may feel tired or drowsy for a few hours if the treatment has been particularly strong or there may be a short-term flair up of your symptoms as your QI reorganizes and resettles itself.

FREE DROP-IN ACUPUNCTURE Note: Times listed refer to clinic hours. In order to receive treatment, you must arrive 45 minutes before the end time.

Downtown Community Health Centre 569 Powell Street Tuesday (Women’s Night): 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm (light dinner is served from 5:30 – 6:00)

Evergreen Community Health Centre 3425 Crowley Drive Tuesday: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Friday: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Harbour Light Treatment Centre 119 East Cordova Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: 1:45 pm – 3:45 pm

Pender Community Health Centre 59 West Pender Street 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month (Women’s Night): 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm (light dinner is served from 5:00 – 5:30)

Raven Song Community Health Centre 2450 Ontario Street Tuesday: 9:30 am – 11:30 am Wednesday: 9:30 am – 11:30 am Friday: 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm

South Mental Health & Addiction Services 220 – 1200 West 73rd Ave Monday: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Wednesday: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Friday: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Three Bridges Community Health Centre 1292 Hornby Street Location: Room 301 lounge Tuesday: 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm Friday: 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm

ServicingtheHealthandRecoveryoftheVCHCommunityThrough

AcupunctureSince1996

WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE? Originating in China over 3000 years ago, Acupuncture has truly passed the test of time and is one of the primary modality of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This unique treatment involves the insertion of fine needles into Acupuncture points, which are entryways into the body’s energetic channels (meridians). It is through these special points that the body’s vital energy Qi can be manipulated, stimulated, or sedated to potentially restore balance on an emotional, spiritual, and physical level. Health is achieved by maintaining the body in a balanced state and that disease is as a result of an internal imbalance.

COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE Individual treatments are offered in a safe, comfortable, group setting. Acupuncture points used in treatment are usually limited to points that can be used while a patient can sit in a chair (usually inserted in the ears, arms or legs). With specialized training & certification, our team of professionals have been providing acupuncture and complementary therapies to the VCH community since 1996.

Community style acupuncture has been found to be very effective in treating mental health, addictions and complex pain. Treatment is performed by licensed acupuncturists. Our profession is regulated by the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of British Columbia. New, sterilized, disposable needles are inserted in various points and the client rests quietly for 40 minutes. This is a good time to relax, meditate, or think about positive changes in your life.

WHAT CAN ACUPUNCTURE TREAT? Acupuncture has proven to be effective in treating a wide range of health problems. Here is a partial list of the types of problems that the World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes the use of acupuncture in:

• Stress reduction • Insomnia • Anxiety • Nervousness • Depression • PTSD • Addiction Control • Lumbar pain • Arthritis • Smoking cessation • Back pain • Migraines • Frozen shoulder • Neck pain • Headaches • Abdominal Pain • Muscle Pain • Sciatica

ACUPUNCTURE FOR MENTAL HEALTH

The role of emotions in disease is heavily emphasized in TCM. Our inability to properly balance each of the seven emotions – anger, joy, sadness, worry, grief, fear, and fright – can predict our overall prognosis. Acupuncture can affect all major body systems and organs, including the brain and endocrine systems, both of which are responsible for maintaining the balance of body chemicals linked to mental health. Anxiety, depression, and general stress can be treated using Acupuncture, along with any source or cause, ie. pain, poor sleep, PTSD.

ACUPUNCTURE FOR PAIN

In TCM, pain equals blockage. Acupuncture is an excellent alternative to pain medication because there are no side-effects and the pain is ‘treated’ not temporarily covered up. Whether the blockage is from a physical source such as trauma or overuse or whether the blockage is from an energy level, such as emotional, Acupuncture helps facilitate movement through the related channels. This can be done locally (close to the pain) or distally (away from the pain). In TCM, the key to treating pain is to calm the mind because in this state the body can easily repair itself with guidance from Acupuncture.

ACUPUNCTURE FOR ADDICTION

Substances which respond well to Acupuncture include alcohol, fentanyl, heroin, crack, methamphetamine, methadone, benzodiazepines, and nicotine. Acupuncture does not cure alcoholism or drug addiction, however it does serve as an integral component within one’s recovery process, supporting the efficacy of other modalities utilized, i.e. counselling, 12 step programs, etc, and allowing for more presence in one’s overall program.

The treatments target the release of natural body chemicals, such as endorphins, as well as the neural activation of specific organs most affected by the damaging substance, ie. Liver.

Daily treatment for the first few weeks is most beneficial. The frequency of treatments can then be decreased over several months. More frequent treatment is also encouraged at any time when the cravings return, when there is increased stress, should a relapse occur.

PATIENTS REPORT • relaxation, • stress reduction• less craving• elimination of withdrawal symptoms• clearer mind & sense of purpose• better sleep• more energy & better appetite.• reduction or elimination of pain

RESEARCH The special techniques used by our team of acupuncturists have been studied extensively. The research indicates that acupuncture is effective in easing symptoms of withdrawal from drugs and alcohol, as well as in the treatment of anxiety, depression, PTSD, psychosis, schizophrenia and complex pain disorders.