Is it safe? Does it hurt?

If your practitioner is an Albertan registered licensed acupuncturist (Dr. Ac.), then you can be confident knowing that they have dedicated a minimum of 3 years to an acupuncture post secondary education ensuring your safety, comfort and wellbeing. 

When comparing the average acupuncture needle diameter to a western medical injection needle (commonly used to withdraw blood), you would see that acupuncture needles are approximately 10 times smaller than the average injection needles.  For a different perspective, acupuncture needle diameters are only 2 times the size of the average human hair. A smaller diameter needle allows the practitioner to insert needles during a treatment with less likelihood of triggering a pain sensation.

Every patients experience is different.  We do our best as practitioners, but it is still possible that patients may experience bruising, bleeding, needle site pain and sensation, or needle fainting.

Patients should inform the practitioner if any discomfort arises.

How many treatments will be required?

As every person and condition is different, the frequency and total treatments required will also vary.  In general, chronic (long term issues) will require more treatments than acute (short term issues). 

Major factors affecting recovery will be diet and lifestyle.  

Does insurance cover the treatment?

If you have insurance coverage for acupuncture, you will be able to submit your receipts. The total amount covered will be determined by your plan.

What type of needles do you use?

We only use quality, acupuncture-specific German and Japanese stainless steel needles. All needles come in individual sterile packages and are disposable, one time use.