Acupuncture & Cupping

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is an ancient traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) healing technique that has been applied for 2,500 years. It restores, balances and maintains our health using our body’s defense systems.  As a form of alternative medicine, it involves the insertion of fine acupuncture needles into specific areas of the body, based on which areas or systems you need treated.

What are the benefits of Acupuncture determined by current scientific evidence?

• Stimulates blood flow to an injured site and signals the release of neurochemicals and hormones
• Neurochemicals can have a widespread effect on the spinal cord and brain, to modulate the experience of pain and help restore balance in the body
• Inactivate myofascial trigger points creating a sense of relief and reduced discomfort
• Up regulate or down regulate the nervous system depending on the point prescription used

What symptoms can Acupuncture help me with?

• Pain
• Discomfort
• Inflammation
• Repetitive strain
• Restricted range of motion
• Nervous system alterations
• Stress, anxiety and emotional imbalance

How does Acupuncture work according to traditional beliefs?

• In TCM, acupuncture points are located along “meridians” which are energy ‘channels’
• Pain, injury or stress can block the flow of energy channels
• This interrupts proper blood flow and energy distribution which in turns causes discomfort
• Acupuncture is used to bring the body back into balance by restoring the energy and thus blood flow along the energy channels

What should I expect from an Acupuncture treatment?

• Detailed assessment identifying your expectations, goals, symptoms and areas to address
• The use of sterile, single-use needles ensuring your safety and minimize the risk of infection
• The therapist inserts thin needles in specific acupoints on your body based on the treatment goal
• Needles may be adjusted manually or with electrical stimulation to augment their therapeutic effect

At Neurocore, acupuncture is provided by a Registered Physiotherapist certified in Acupuncture.

What is Cupping?

Dating back to ancient Egypt, China and Middle Eastern cultures, cupping is one of the oldest forms of therapy.  The Ebers Papyrus, one of the oldest medical textbooks in the world describe how ancient Egyptians used cupping therapy in 1550 B.C.

It involves the application of plastic or silicone cups along at certain points on a person’s skin

It is believed that pain and injury are caused by a blockage of Qi (energy) along a channel in the body, and it is believed that cupping helps dispel stagnant blood and lymph in order to restore Qi and therefore optimal blood flow. 

What conditions and symptoms may benefit from Cupping?

• Back and neck pain
• Fatigue
• Stress related disorders
• Sore muscles
• Stiff joints
• Chronic pain conditions

Which health care professionals at Neurocore provide Cupping?

• Physiotherapists
• Registered Massage Therapists

How does Cupping work?

• Cupping works whereby the suction and in turn negative pressure provided by a cup can help promote blood flow by separating layers of skin, connective tissue and muscle to reduce discomfort. 
• The cup applied over a specific area may remain stationary to allow time for the individual layers of the body to receive ideal blood flow or the cup may be moved promoting the release of stagnant blood flow and stimulating activation of an area with renewed blood flow.
• It is common for cupping to leave round bruises on a person’s skin where the blood vessels may burst after exposure to the suction. Some believe the change in skin colour within the cupped area is reflective of how many toxins are in the area whereby a red/purple discolouration if reflective of high levels of toxins.

What are the benefits of Cupping?

• Reducing muscular tension
• Improving blood flow and pain relief
• Increasing tissue metabolism which promotes healing
• Inducing sweating which helps dispel toxins
• Reduced inflammation
• Reducing myofascial restrictions