PanAfrican Acupuncture Project

It is the beauty and versatility of this medicine that enables its use in any environment!

Acupuncture & Depression



The term 'Depression' can be used to cover a multitude of diagnoses; anything from Stress Disorders to Bipolar Disorder, Post-partum Depression to Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D).

These conditions vary with each individual but may include symptoms of: mood changes (often grief or irritability), changes in appetite, fatigue/lethargy, body aches and/or pains, disinterest in activities that were once enjoyable, and thoughts of suicide.

Western medications such as Prozac, Celexa, or Zoloft can be effective, but often these only manage the symptoms and can cause other serious side effects.

Acupuncture is a safe and effective alternative that helps to balance out the body and the mind together. By stimulating acu-points along the meridian or energy pathways, helps the body to relax, improve moods, increase energy levels and increase Serotonin levels (the neurotransmitter that effects mood). Acupuncture is also safe to use with western medications to help manage side-effects and can be used with psychotherapy to improve the over-all effect.

Recently, the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences at Stanford University, conducted a study using acupuncture on pregnant women with depression and found acupuncture to aid symptoms of depression and to be a viable treatment option.

http://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20177281

Healthy Diet = Healthy Digestion!

Many Canadians suffer from a multitude of digestive disorders; Food Intolerance/Allergies, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Gastritis, and Acid Reflux, are only to name a few. If you are experiencing pain after eating, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, acupuncture can help. Acupuncture treatments along with a healthy diet -- one that is low in refined sugars, refined flour and overly-processed foods can provide relief, help with weight loss, and drastically improve energy. Come in to Klinik and meet Julia, our registered holistic nutritionist and receive a free mini-nutritional consultation with any acupuncture treatment.

A study from the Guangxi College of Traditional Chinese Medicine concluded that acupuncture was effective in the treatment of chronic gastritis, resulting in a 95% effective rate. --JCM

2003 Dec.

Ready to Kick the Habit? Acupuncture can Help!

Coffee, cigarettes, food, alcohol ... addictions are never easy to quit, especially when you're trying to do it alone. Many people try to find a replacement that often leads them back to the same place where they started. One recognized form of treatment is acupuncture. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO), acupuncture can effectively treat various addictions, often with just a few treatments. Acupuncture can curb cravings and help kick the habit by helping the mind relax and the body detoxify. Acupuncture has been used in government-funded addiction programs across North America and is part of the Vancouver Daytox program, right here in Vancouver. Acupuncture proves to be a, cost-effective, viable alternative that won't leave you craving for more.

"Jennifer was my massage therapist 'extraordinaire' for 4 years while working in Edmonton. During this time, apart from my regular massage, she had given me a couple acupuncture treatments to clear up some pain I was experiencing in my rotator cuff. The acupuncture worked very well for me; the pain has not reoccurred since the treatments. More recently, I had gone through an unsuccessful attempt to quit my smoking habit of 28 years. Jennifer suggested acupuncture with electro-stimulation; I agreed, and that was the last day that I had a cigarette! I just celebrated 15 months as a non-smoker on July 2nd." -- Sheryl Y.

Check out the National Acupuncture Detox Association (NADA) at www.acudetox.com/ for more information.

Acupuncture funny ...maybe to acupuncturists only!

Acupuncture for the Needle Phobic? It doesn't have to be a terrifying experience

What is it that makes most people a little shy of acupuncture? Is it the thought of a foreign object penetrating the skin? The idea of pain or injury caused by the needle? Ask anyone who hasn't experienced a treatment, and those are legitimate concerns.

But acupuncture doesn't have to be a scary process. The actual acupuncture needle is 1/10 the size of a regular hypodermic needle, essentially the same diameter as a few human hairs. The reason why an acupuncture needle doesn't cause bleeding is that is that the edge of the needle is rounded or polished, this tends to push the cells aside, where as a hypodermic needle has a sharp point, like a knife blade that can slice through. Acupuncture points are usually situated away from major blood vessels, therefore bleeding does not typically occur. Most people feel a little 'prick' once the needle goes in, a similar sensation to a mosquito bite, that dissipates after a few seconds. Common sensations are a feeling of pressure, or electricity once the needle taps into the energy or 'Qi'.

Still not convinced? There are many modalities that a Registered Acupuncturist can use instead of needling and still be very effective; Cupping - to help relieve muscle tension and relieve cold symptoms; Guasha - a technique using tiger balm, effective for sinusitis; Tuina (or massage) using acupressure points to relieve muscle tension and bring about relaxation; and Moxabustion used for warming cold conditions and improving circulation and energy flow. Acupuncture doesn't have to be scary, the more people know about this wonderful medicine, the less uncertainties remain.

"I was nervous about the needles, and could feel my skin getting clammy. But after a few treatments, I welcomed the needles, I knew they would be so soothing." -- Paul Buck