Julie Nelson, Acupuncturist, Vancouver, BC

Acupuncture is a wonderful therapeutic technique that physiotherapists utilize to help relieve pain and inflammation as well as to help remote healing in the body.

Anatomical acupuncture is a modern approach to traditional Chinese acupuncture. Physiotherapists are trained in anatomical acupuncture by combining the knowledge of anatomy, pathology, and physiology, to determine if acupuncture is what's best for you

Acupuncture helps bring balance and enhances the flow of energy and blood in the body to give it a harmonious balance. More recently the research has shown that the acupuncture has been able to help produce a pain-relieving substance called endorphins, as well as help stimulate our body in producing a hormone called adrenocorticotropic hormone - ACTH for short

Acupuncture is a great technique for acute inflammation and acute pain suffered from like a motor vehicle accident or a sports injury. It is really best to come in early, your physiotherapist will determine which acupuncture points to insert the needles into. Some people feel relief immediately, some people may feel relief after about two to three days, usually within the week they definitely should see some improvement. About 80 to 90 percent of patients respond fairly well to this type of treatment.