Acupuncture
Acupuncture and Acupuncturists
Acupuncture is an ancient form of Chinese medicine that involves inserting very thin and flexible needles into the skin at specific points on the body. With almost no side-effects, it has gained significant popularity in Western medicine for the treatment of many health-related issues.
At Toronto Physiotherapy we offer acupuncture as an optional therapeutic tool that we regularly incorporate into our physiotherapy sessions at no added cost. This is different than receiving acupuncture from a Registered Acupuncturist. We do not have a Registered Acupuncturist on staff.
What’s the difference?
Acupuncture with our Physiotherapists
Our physiotherapists have received training and certification in acupuncture for physical rehabilitation (sometimes called ‘orthopaedic acupuncture’). This allows them to incorporate specific acupuncture points into their physiotherapy treatment sessions if they believe it will benefit the patient (and the patient consents to it). They use acupuncture in this way to help decrease pain and inflammation, and to promote tissue healing and optimal nerve and muscle function.
Our Physiotherapists do not use acupuncture in ways or for conditions that fall outside of their scope of practice. When acupuncture is provided by physiotherapists who are not Registered Acupuncturists, the service is reimbursable as ‘physiotherapy’ under extended health insurance plans.
Conditions Treated by Orthopaedic Acupuncture
- Pain (such as low back pain, neck/shoulder pain)
- Inflammation
Acupuncture with an Acupuncturist
The term ‘acupuncturist’ is now protected and only practitioners who have passed their acupuncturist board exams and are registered with the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario (CTCMPAO) can use this title.
Acupuncture provided by our Registered Acupuncturist has a broader scope, and is also reimbursable under extended health insurance plans as ‘acupuncture’.
We do not currently have an Acupuncturist on staff, and so we do not offer acupuncture that is reimbursable as ‘acupuncture’ under your health plan. Instead, we offer orthopaedic acupuncture that is reimbursable as ‘phyisotherapy’ under your health plan (please see above).
Conditions Treated by an Acupuncturist
- Pain
- Inflammation
- Stress
- Anxiety and depression
- Sleep disorders
- Digestive disorders
- Fertility