The Truth Behind Common Acupuncture Myths
An Interview with Vicki and Lana at The Acupuncture Hub
Written by Doris Young
The Acupuncture Hub is a community acupuncture clinic, meaning that multiple clients can be treated at a time. The clinic is quiet and comforting, making it a perfect place to relax. They offer low prices on a sliding scale (ranging from $25-$50), so that customers can access the clinic multiple times per week. Although the clinic is a shared space, all treatments can be customized towards your needs.
I sat down with Vicki and Lana to learn more about the art of acupuncture. Both Vicki and Lana are Registered Acupuncturists at the Hub. They were drawn to acupuncture based on the Taoist principles behind Chinese medicine and acupuncture. Lana shares that she grew up using folk medicine, such as using ginger to treat stomach aches and cloves to treat toothaches, so acupuncture was the perfect avenue for her.
A typical day at the Acupuncture Hub starts with the customer sinking into one of their comfy chairs. The staff then accompany the customer, gathering information on how to create the perfect formula for them. After that, the needling begins! The staff ensure that their customers feel comfortable at all times and discuss ways to get their health back on track. Both Lana and Vicki agree that seeing their customers leave happy and healthy is their favourite aspect of their jobs.
Next, I uncovered the truth behind some common acupuncture myths. Here’s what Vicki and Lana had to say…
Acupuncture has a lot of side effects. MYTH
While the results of acupuncture may vary from person to person, a majority of clients do not experience major side effects. Although uncommon, Vicki and Lana state that a potential side effect may be slight bruising. They both recommend for clients to eat something before their treatment, in the rare case that their client may experience lightheadedness after their treatment. They also share that their clients leave with a ‘floaty’ feeling, similar to a state of relaxation.
Cupping leaves permanent marks which will damage your skin. MYTH
Side effects of cupping include marks left on the skin. These marks may be dark and initially itchy, but usually do not damage the skin and will actually dissipate within the first 24 hours. The marks should fully fade in 1-2 weeks. Vicki explains that permanent marks would be an extreme case and may be a result from at-home cupping kits. With at-home cupping kits, there’s the possibility that the cups can be left on longer than needed, creating blisters. Moral of the story: get cupping done by a professional!
Acupuncture relieves both physical pain and emotional distress. TRUTH
Acupuncture helps to alleviate both physical pain and emotional distress. It turns out that stress can be a common, underlying issue for physical pain, as it can add tension to the body. By relaxing muscles, the mind will also naturally relax. Vicki and Lana reveal that more than half of their customers come in to reduce their stress.
Acupuncture and Cupping are only for adults. MYTH
Teens and even children can qualify for acupuncture treatments! Acupuncture is more common within adults as they have a stronger constitution and more developed bodies. Lana shares that her own daughter (aged 7) is a fan of acupuncture, but doesn’t require frequent treatments as she already has a lot of qi and energy.
Acupuncture does not have long term effects, but short term relief. MYTH
Acupuncture definitely has long term effects; it helps with rebalancing your body, which is a long term process. To contrast, acupuncture does not work in the same way as painkillers (such as Tylenol) where the pain is instantly relieved. Instead, acupuncture works in multiple series until the body recovers and can handle itself.
Now that you’ve learned the truth behind some common myths about acupuncture, come down to the Acupuncture Hub to try it for yourself! You can book an appointment online here.
The Acupuncture Hub
367 E Broadway
P: (604) 620-6776
Hours
Monday: 2pm – 6:30pm
Tuesday: 2pm – 6:30pm
Wednesday : 12pm – 6:30pm
Thursday: 12pm – 7pm
Friday: 10am – 6:30pm
Saturday: 10am – 3pm
Sunday: 11am – 3pm
