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General introduction to Acupuncture and TCM
Originating in China more than 3,000 years ago, acupuncture is one of the oldest Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) procedures. As an essential part of TCM, acupuncture involves the insertion of very thin, metallic needles, (sometimes in conjunction with electrical stimulus), on some specific points (acupuncture points or acupoints) of the body's surface. The extreme thinness of the needles ensures that little or no discomfort will be experienced during the treatment. At medical level, the insertion of these very fine needles on the acupoints influences the physiological functions of the body, cures the diseases and restores the health.
Acupuncture has been officially recognized and recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) as a kind of important health care science and method. Acupuncture is very popular not only in China, but also in many other countries in the world.
Acupuncture is being widely accepted as a supplementary healthcare service to the mainstream health care system across Canada. It has already been regulated in British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec. In Ontario, Traditional Chinese Medicine Act, 2006, has been passed by the provincial legislative assembly in 2006. TCM has already been regulated in BC as well.
About our practitioners
Zhiguang Hu M.D. (China), R.Ac., Clinical Supervisor/Director
Dr. Hu received her M.D. degree from the medical college of Nanhua University, Hengyang, China in 1983. She practiced as physician and neurologist in Hunan Provincial Hospital from 1983 to 1989. From 1990 to 2001, she worked as chief physician and acupuncturist at Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (HUTCM). During this period, in 1995 and 1996 she worked in the Chinese Acupuncture-Massage clinic of HUTCM in Russia, and treated thousands of Russian patients with acupuncture. She was promoted as associate professor of medicine in 2000. She is a Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac.) of B.C., Canada. She works as an acupuncturist at the acupuncture and herbology clinic of Oshio College.
Ganglin Yin M.D. (China), R.Ac. and DTCM, Principal
Dr. Yin received his M.D., as well as three years of post-graduate training from Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (HUTCM), in Changsha, China in 1982. From 1985 to 1996, he was a faculty member of HUTCM and was promoted as Associate Professor of Acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine in 1994. During this period, as chief doctor in a TCM and acupuncture specialist group sent by HUTCM, he spent 4 years in Russia treating patients. During the past 27 years, Dr. Yin has helped hundreds and thousands of patients with Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture in China, Russia, U.S.A. and Canada. He is a registered acupuncturist (R.Ac.) and doctor of TCM (R.DTCM) of BC, Canada.
About our senior intern student practitioners
Taking clinical practice is part of our 3-year acupuncture program, 4-year Traditional Chinese Medicine program or 5-year Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine program. Generally speaking, after one and half year of classroom lecture education, students are required to take clinical practice. A student should meet the requirements of CTCMA to get registration issued by CTCMA, and the student’s practice will be under supervision from doctors. Since 2000, our senior intern students have performed several thousand treatments on patients. Most patients feel satisfactory to their treatment and we have kept no record of big complaint from any patient relating to the intern student practice.
Our services
We provide acupuncture treatment and herbal medicine treatment, including acupuncture, massage, electrical magnetic heat lump, cupping, herbal tea and formulas. The treatment may be performed by our doctors or senior intern students according to your requirements.
FAQ
How Does Acupuncture Work?
Many researches have been done by scientists about how acupuncture works. The most widely accepted theory is the energy theory called 'Qi' in Chinese. In Chinese medicine, it is believed that there is an universal life energy 'Qi' in every living creature. This energy is circulating in regulated patterns throughout the body along specific pathways that are called 'Meridians". So far, 14 meridians have been identified throughout human's body. These meridians conduct the flow of the vital energy 'Qi'. As long as this energy flows freely throughout the meridians, health is maintained. When this flow is disrupted or blocked, then pain and illness will occur, just like rivers that are blocked and cause flood. By inserting needles into the selected points in the meridians, the normal flow of the energy can be restored, and thus the health brought back to the body.
How Is The Treatment Carried Out?
In acupuncture, 10~30 very fine needles are inserted into the acupuncture points of body. The needles are left in places for 20~30 minutes, manipulated by hands or electrical stimulations during the course of treatment, producing a beneficial effect on other related parts of the body. The number of needles required and the length of time needles left in body depend on the problem and the consultation with the acupuncturist.
Is Acupuncture Safe in Oshio clinic?
Yes. In our clinic, only sterile needles are used for the treatments. Those needles come in sterile containers and are used only once, and then disposed of. No possibility of blood-transmitted diseases is caused by our acupuncture treatment. Both Dr. Hu and Dr. Yin in our clinic had very strict medical education and training before they practiced acupuncture. They have practiced acupuncture and medicine more than 27 years and treated thousands of patients with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. They have never caused any acupuncture accident to their patients.
Is Acupuncture Painful?
Some people may be afraid of needles and assume that acupuncture is painful. Actually there is no pain to most persons. The needles used for acupuncture are solid and extremely thin, much thinner than those used for injections or blood drawing. It is normal when a patient sometimes feels heaviness, aching or tingling around the site of the needle insertion. In general, most patients describe acupuncture as very relaxing.
How many treatments do I need?
The total number of treatments required depends on the conditions of the symptoms. For acute problems, only a few treatments will be required. For complex or prolonged conditions, more treatments may be recommended. In very few cases, several sessions may be required before improvement is noticed.
For pain relief, most people will feel instant improvement right after the very first treatment. For weight loss or to quit smoking, relieve anxiety, three or four sessions are generally sufficient to see the improvement. In cosmetic acupuncture, after a course of treatments, the fine lines in the face can be eliminated and deeper wrinkles diminished, bags around eyes firmed and sagging reduced.
How long does each Acupuncture treatment take?
The first visit will include a full assessment where the patient is asked a number of questions about his or her health. A focused regional physical exam follows. Following this, the first treatment is performed. This process takes about one hour, and around 30 minutes for subsequent treatments.
Does MSP cover Acupuncture?
Yes if your family’s yearly income is less than $28,000. You are provided with a special form made by MSP after you have treatment from us and pay your treatment fee to us. The form is filled and signed by you and us and mailed to MSP office for reimbursement.
Do some insurance plans cover Acupuncture?
Yes. The majority of Canadian workers have partial or full coverage for Acupuncture services in their workplace health care plans. The Acupuncture patient is provided with a detailed itemized receipt listing the services provided, the credentials of the treating Acupuncture Provider, as well as payment details for reimbursement.
Do I need a Doctor's prescription for Acupuncture?
No, but if you can get your diagnosis and medication information from your doctor, it may be helpful for your treatment.
Which disorders are frequently treated with acupuncture and Chinese medicine in Oshio clinic?
Acupuncture is recognized by the World Health Organization and is effective in treating a number of disorders. Having more than 27 years clinical experience after graduating from medical school, the doctors in Oshio clinic are good at treating the following disorders with acupuncture and Chinese medicine:
----Various painful disorders: headache, shoulder pain, neck stiffness and pain, back and lower back pain, knee pain, tennis and golfer’s elbow, osteoarthritis, sports injuries, trigeminal neuralgia, sciatica.
---Various skin disorders: Eczema, psoriasis.
---Various allergic disorders: Asthma, rhinitis.
---Various women disorders: Dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome, irregular menstruation, abnormal uterus bleeding, uterus fibroids, menopausal syndrome, breast tumor, infertility.
---Digestive disorders: Gastritis, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, acid reflex, irritable bowel syndrome(IBS), Chrons’ diseases, constipation, dysentery.
---Depression or anxiety
---Cancers
---Paralysis: Paralysis due to stroke, facial paralysis, cerebral pulsy
---Over weight
---Addiction: smoking, alcohol or drug
---Facial wrinkle or acne
---Toxin or poison accumulated in the body
How to find a good acupuncturist or doctor of TCM?
Here are some important criteria to follow when you are making an initial attempt to choose an acupuncturist.
---Qualifications: In the US, about 40 states have established training standards for acupuncture certification. There is no acupuncture regulation in most provinces in Canada (except in British Columbia, Alberta, and Quebec). If you reside in areas where acupuncture is regulated, you should make sure that the acupuncturist is licensed and registered with the regulatory body. Although proper credentials do not ensure highest competency, they do indicate that the practitioner has met minimum standards to treat patients using acupuncture.
---Education: If an acupuncturist or TCM doctor got his/her education of acupuncture or TCM from China, whether he or she has graduated from a 5-year TCM, acupuncture or medicine program in a university is very important. Only finish this 5 year program, can a graduate have ability to treat diseases in most clinical fields, including internal diseases, external diseases, women diseases, children diseases and so on. While getting education in north America, an acupuncturist or TCM doctor is required to complete a 3-5 years of study in a full time program of acupuncture or
TCM.
---Clean Needle Technique: It is also very important to confirm that the acupuncturist practices Clean Needle Technique and uses disposable needles. This issue is particularly important in the regions where acupuncture is not regulated.
---Experience: Ask the acupuncturist or TCM doctor the number of years of clinical experience. It is impossible to develop mastery and fluency in acupuncture or TCM only by classroom training. There are many elements in acupuncture which can only be earned through years of clinical practice. Acupuncture and TCM are more closely related to practitioner’s clinical experience. Generally speaking, the longer a person practices as an acupuncturist or TCM doctor, the more experience the person has and the better the acupuncture or TCM treatment result will be.
Who is the Best? The 'best acupuncturist’ for one person may not be the best for another. Sometimes it is necessary to try out different acupuncturists or styles.
Locations, Contact and Hours
There are 2 locations of our clinic:
---110-1595 McKenzie Ave., Victoria, BC
Tel: (250) 472-6601
Monday~Friday: 9:00a.m. – 6:00p.m.
Saturday: 12:00p.m. – 5:00p.m.
---203-531 Yates Street, Victoria, BC
Tel: (250) 360-2700
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: 9:00a.m. – 6:00p.m.
Wednesday is off.
Oshio
College of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine -
offering 3, 4 & 5 year programs in Traditional
Chinese Medicine and acupuncture - Victoria, BC,
Canada |
