General Questions

How long will treatment last?

Acute pain generally speaking, can be resolved within 3 – 4 visits or 1 – 2 weeks with our amazing staff. Depending on the severity of the condition or issue, treatment programs can last up to 4 – 6 weeks.

What are my payment options?

We accept debit/interact, visa, MC, cash or cheque

Will my insurance cover the treatment?

Yes, most extended healthcare plans will cover therapy treatment.

Acupuncture

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is the insertion of very fine needles, sometimes in conjunction with electrical stimulus, on the body surface at specific points in order to influence physiological functioning of the body to treat specific health problems. These points have been mapped by the ancient Chinese doctors over a period of 5,000 years.

What problems can be treated by acupuncture?

There are many diseases that can be treated successfully by Acupuncture or its related treatments. The most common ailments currently being treated are: lower backache, sciatica,  arthritic conditions (such as osteoarthritis), headaches of all kinds (including migraine),allergic reactions, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic fatigue, sleep disorders, over-weight, infertility and menopausal syndromes . There have also been clinical trials in the use of Acupuncture in treating anxiety disorders and depression. Likewise, very high success rates have been found in treating addictions to alcohol, tobacco (nicotine) and “hard’ drugs. Acupuncture can rid the body of the physical dependency.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended that acupuncture is suitable for treating more than 40 health conditions.

In November 1997, the National Institute of Health (NIH) in the U.S. convened a panel of scientists, researchers, and practitioners to discuss acupuncture.  They found that studies supported the use of acupuncture for nausea caused by surgical anesthesia and cancer chemotherapy, for post-surgical dental pain, for stroke rehabilitation, and for treating addiction, headaches, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, lower-back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and asthma[/toggle]

How deep do the needles go?

That depends on the nature of the problem, the location of the points selected, the patient’s size, age, and constitution, and on the acupuncturist’s style or school. Usually the needles are inserted from ¼ to 1 inch.

Does it hurt?

Basically, acupuncture is not considered painful, it can be compared to being mildly sore from a mosquito bite.  Some sensation such as heaviness, distention, warmth or tingling after the insertion of the needle can be felt either around the needle or traveling up or down the affected meridian. In Chinese, the sensation is called “De Chee” or “Arrival of Qi”, which is positive for a good treatment result. Some Western cultures may categorize these sensations as types of pain. In any case, if you experience any discomfort, it is usually mild.

How does acupuncture work?

So far, modern medicine cannot completely explain how it works. Traditional Chinese acupuncture is based on ancient Chinese theories of the flow of Qi (energy) and Xue (blood) through distinct meridians (energy pathways) that cover the entire body like blood vessels. According to ancient theory, acupuncture allows Qi to flow to areas where it is deficient and away from areas where it is in excess. In this way acupuncture regulates and restores the harmonious balance of the body. In Chinese there is a saying: “There would be no pain if there is free flow; if there is pain, there must be no free flow.

How many treatments will I need?

That depends upon the duration, severity and nature of your complaint. You may need only a single treatment for an acute condition. A series of five to fifteen treatments may resolve many chronic problems. Some degenerative conditions may require many treatments over time. Please ask our acupuncturist for specific programs we are currently offering.

Is there anything I need to do before receiving an acupuncture treatment?

Yes. The following suggestions will help you get the most out of your session.

1)  Maintain good personal hygiene to reduce the chance of bacterial infection.

2)  To prevent loss, wear no jewelry.

3)  Wear loose clothing. Women should not wear one-piece dresses or pantyhose.

4)  Avoid treatment when excessively fatigued, hungry, full, emotionally upset, or shortly after sex.

Is there anything I need to do while getting a treatment?

Yes.

1)  Relax. There’s no need to be anxious. Ask your practitioner any questions as they occur to you so you can get the most benefit possible from the treatment.

2)  Do not change your position or move suddenly. If you are uncomfortable, tell the doctor.

3)  Some people experience dizziness, nausea, cold sweats, shortness of breath, or faintness during treatment. This is usually due to nervousness. Inform your practitioner immediately so he can remove or adjust the needles. Also, let him know if you feel an increasing amount of pain or burning during the treatment.

4)  If you find the treatment unbearable at any point, be sure to speak up so he can make the proper adjustments or suspend treatment.

What can I expect after treatment?

You may notice a spot of blood at one or more of the needle sites, or a small bruise could develop. These are not harmful, but please let your practitioner know if you are concerned about them. Patients often experience the most dramatic results in the first treatment. Some patients experience an immediate, total or partial relief of their pain or other symptoms. This relief may last, or some pain may return. In a few cases, there may be no immediate relief, but symptoms may diminish over the next couple of days.

Laser Therapy

Do therapeutic lasers burn?

No, there are generally two type of medical lasers: Heat generating lasers which cut through tissue and Cold lasers, such as therapeutic laser treatments, which stimulate tissue repair and reduce inflammation.

Are therapeutic lasers harmful?

No, lasers used for tissue stimulation are not strong enough to damage cells.

Do therapeutic lasers work?

Yes, laser therapy is safe, effective and painless, with results which are often immediate with no side effects. Success rates of 90% are routinely observed in a clinical setting.

How do therapeutic lasers work?

When laser light interacts with tissue it causes certain photochemical reactions to occur and stimulates natural biological healing processes.

How long does therapeutic laser therapy last?

Treatment time will vary from as little as 2 minutes to as long as 20 minutes. The total number of treatments required varies between 5 to 25 depending on the body’s natural abilities to heal and the severity of the condition.

Physiotherapy Questions

Do I need a referral to see a physiotherapist?

Physiotherapists in Ontario are regulated by the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA). They are primary care practitioners – that means they don’t need a referral from a physician or anyone else to see a patient. Patients can go directly to a physiotherapist of their own accord.

Why is physical therapy a good choice?

More than half of all North Americans are suffering from pain. However, many do not even know that physical therapists are well equipped to not only treat pain but also its source.
Physical therapists are experts at treating movement and neuro-musculoskeletal disorders. Pain often accompanies a movement disorder, and physical therapists can help correct the disorder and relieve the pain.

Why are people referred to physical therapy?

People may be referred to physical therapy because of a movement dysfunction associated with pain. Difficulty with moving part(s) of your body (like bending at the low back or difficulty sleeping on your shoulder, etc.) results in limitations with your daily activities (e.g., difficulty getting out of a chair, an inability to play sports, or trouble with walking, etc.). Physical therapists treat these pains and restore your body’s ability to move in a normal manner.

What will I have to do after physical therapy?

Some patients will need to continue with home exercises. Some may choose to continue with a gym exercise program. Others will complete their rehabilitation and return to normal daily activities. It is important that you communicate your goals to your therapist, so he/she can develop a custom program for you.

Chiropractor Questions

How many people see chiropractors?

This varies by region, but is generally between 5-15% of the population. Experts agree that anyone in the general population is a candidate for chiropractic.

Do I have to see my medical doctor before I see a chiropractor?

No, you do not need an MD referral to see a Chiropractor. Chiropractors are legislated as primary contact health care professionals in every province in Canada, i.e., patients can consult them directly. Some private insurance providers may require an MD referral to cover certain treatments. Your Chiropractor can explain in more detail your particular situation.

Are there many athletes who use chiropractic?

Many athletes rely on chiropractic care to maintain their peak performance, including professional sports teams. The National Olympic Teams also rely on chiropractic to keep the athletes in top physical form.