Chiropractic & Physiotherapy Clinic in Richmond Hill

Many people associate massage therapy with relaxation and the loosening of tired, sore muscles, but they may not realize just how beneficial massage therapy is to the rest of the body.  Richmond Hill massage therapy can provide you with the relaxation you need, while helping your body to heal itself in a variety of ways.

Massage therapy benefits more than just the muscles.  It also stimulates the lymphatic system, which plays an integral role in detoxification and prevention of disease.  Massage helps drain the lymphatic system, releasing harmful toxins so that the body can eliminate them before they can do harm.  Massage therapy can also break down scar tissue that may be interfering with blood circulation, restoring proper blood flow to areas that have suffered injury.  Circulation throughout the body will improve as a result of massage therapy, which means that all of the organs, particularly the brain will receive more oxygen to improve function.  Toxins can accumulate in the body’s tissues as a result of stress and overexertion, and massage is the best way to eliminate them.  Richmond Hill massage therapy specialists can assess your needs and target specific problem areas, providing relief in those particular areas, or simply give your entire body a soothing deep tissue massage, leaving you feeling energized and refreshed.

Massage of the hands and feet stimulates pressure points that affect all of the body’s organs and systems, improving function for overall good health.  Richmond Hill massage therapy is a very effective treatment for headaches and other tension-related complaints.  It can provide relief for arthritis and bursitis sufferers and can even relieve constipation.  Massage can also help with aches and pains associated with pregnancy, sports injuries and pain associated with fibromyalgia, tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.  Why not pamper yourself with Richmond Hill massage therapy today?

It doesn’t matter if you are athletic, a weekend workout buff or a person who likes to take life easy, we all can be susceptible to knee injuries if we are not careful.

Our knees are bound by an intricate system of muscles, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage and this makes them vulnerable to injury. Consider your knees as a complex hinge where the thigh bone (femur), shin bone (tibia), fibula (next to the shin bone) and kneecap all come together.

To better understand how knee problems can occur, it’s helpful to know what the purpose of everything is in the knee.

Ligaments hold your knee together – they are stabilizers. There are four ligaments.

There are two types of cartilage. The meniscus acts as a shock absorber. The other cartilage coats the surfaces of bones, enabling them to glide past one another. When this particular cartilage wears away due to a misalignment or stress, the bone-on-bone rubbing creates pain which may lead to arthritis.

Muscles that control the knee are located in front of the thigh (quadriceps) and behind it (hamstrings).

Tendons connect the knee bones to the leg muscles that move the knee joint.

A wrong step or a sideways collision can easily cause a strain or tear. Although this can happen to men, women are up to eight times more likely to experience a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). ACL injuries are a very common knee injury among athletes. According to the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine, about 150,000 ACL injuries occur in the United States every year. The Canadian Institute for Health Research says that almost 2,000 Canadians were hospitalized with ACL injuries in 2013. Those numbers do not include the tens of thousands who went to clinics and sports medicine doctors to treat their knee injuries.

How to Damage Your Knees

Ignoring knee pain will not solve anything and if anything it will worsen a condition. An occasional ache here and there is somewhat normal and not a reason to raise alarm bells. When the aches become persistent or pain starts to interfere with your ability to be comfortable then it is time to have it checked out. If you leave a minor injury and it seems to “go away” then this inevitably means at some point in the not-so-distant future you will have a re-occurring injury making things worse.

Not Following Through with Rehab

If you have been going through treatment and you decide you’re fine and stop going then this may be a window to further problems down the road. Rest and rehabilitation after a knee injury is critical to avoiding future pain or re-injury. Depending on the type of damage and treatment, recovery could last anywhere from a couple of weeks to several months. Always follow through to the end of your treatment.

Overweight

Did you know that for every pound we are overweight it puts five pounds of force on the knees? Can you imagine what being ten pounds overweight is doing to your knees? This is cause for undue stress on the knees that open several possibilities to future problems.
Being overweight increases the odds of a person getting osteoarthritis in the knee; this wears away at the knee’s cartilage. Excess weight also causes existing arthritis to worsen at a quick rate. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), two out of three obese people suffer from knee osteoarthritis at some point in their life.

Overdoing Things

We are all guilty at times of overdoing things, especially when working out on a regular basis. Overdoing things can be spending too much time in the garden or running for the bus when your knee is recovering from a prior injury. Pushing yourself too hard can cause a host of problems. A sudden increase in duration or intensity of physical movement or an exercise can cause overuse injuries from repetitive strain. Kneecap pain and tendonitis are common symptoms in the knee. Always be sure to stretch before and after working out; even if you plan on a long walk after dinner.

Things to Be Aware of to Prevent Knee Injuries

Body Alignment

In some ways we are like a car, if wheel alignment is off then our tires wear. If our body is not properly aligned, muscles, joints, and ligaments take more strain than they are intended. To make sure you’re properly aligned here are some tips:

• Keep your back straight and don't slouch.
• Try to keep your knees slightly bent when standing – never lock them.
• Keep your abdominal muscles tight.
• Your head should be centered over your body. Try to position your ears over the shoulders.
• Keep your weight evenly distributed between your feet.

Correct Footwear

Shoes that cause your body weight to be unevenly distributed place extra stress on your knee joints. Flat or rigid arches, uneven leg length, and bowed legs are fairly common, and each can contribute to an awkward stride and put pressure on your knees. High-heeled shoes might add to the risk of osteoarthritis or other knee problems. Apparently there are some studies out there that claim women who wear high heels have stress across the part of the knee where osteoarthritis usually develops.

Last but Not Least, Exercise Regularly

Straight leg exercises are easy and can be done at your desk or while watching television. Sit with both feet on the floor. Raise one leg up and slowly raise your foot up until your leg is almost straight, then slowly lower. Do this five times for each leg to start with then increase as you feel comfortable. Hamstring curls are real easy. Stand straight with both knees slightly bent and hold a chair. Slowly raise one leg up backwards and slowly return to the foot to the ground. Do this five times for each leg in the beginning and work up to as many as you are able. Calf raises are basically standing tippy toed. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart and slowly lift up onto your toes then lower, repeat this as many times as you feel comfortable doing.

If you are experiencing persistent knee aches or pain its best not to take chances. Call Chiro-Med Rehab Centre.

Established in 2007 by Dr. Behfar Sanjari, Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has been committed to providing quality health care services to the Greater Toronto Area for over half a decade. Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has qualified professionals who can help you come up with a personalized plan to ensure the stretches and exercises will benefit the health of your spine and extremities. We have clinics located in Richmond Hill and Newmarket, visit Chiro-Med online or call 905-918-0419 or 905-235-2620 for more information.

Spring has arrived and with it, the heightened desire to get into the garden to start planting. The warmth of the sun, the freshness in the air and seeing new growth coming up every day inspires most people to get into their gardens.

This article is going to provide you with some useful spring gardening tips that come from two angles. First of all, let’s discuss some ideas on what to plant that can benefit your health.

Edible Gardening

You may have heard the term edible gardening, more and more people are turning to their gardens as a source of fresh herbs and food. If you have the space to grow vegetables, then it makes sense. Even if you live in an apartment or have limited space, container gardening is very popular and can keep you eating fresh healthy greens all summer long.

Don’t know what to plant? Here are some quick tips to help you decide.

• Grow what you like to eat. If you like beets, then growing these from seed is easy (remember, beet leaves are also very nutritious to eat).
• Be sure to grow herbs or vegetables that are well-suited for this area.
• We live near Ontario’s salad bowl, the Holland Marsh. Fresh produce (especially carrots and onions) is available from the farmers there at very affordable prices; so choose other produce to grow.
• Get a soil pH kit from a nursery and do a little homework in order to be successful. Vegetables thrive in a variety of soils and trying to grow alkaline veggies such as endive, cucumber or leeks in acidic soil is going to set you up for failure. (This chart is a reliable source to learn what is acidic and what is alkaline.)
• Also be sure to do some homework in regards to sunlight. Where you plan on gardening, is it full or part sun? Some veggies do not thrive in full sun – and some prefer cooler temperatures and do best in early spring or late summer (i.e., peas, some lettuces).
• If you choose to grow in containers, remember to keep in mind that you will have to replenish nutrients often into the soil because container gardening removes nutrients at a much more rapid rate than in the ground.
• Google companion gardening; for example, marigolds help tomatoes stay pest-free while growing.

By planting an edible garden, your body will reap the goodness of all the vitamins, minerals, enzymes and nutrients that you can’t get from store-bought produce.

So, now you have an idea about what to garden, now to start. If you have any health ailments please be sure to speak to your health professional. Getting into the garden may seem like a simple task, but if you suffer from an injury or have arthritis, then you may be facing some challenges. For example:

• Hauling in fertile soil to start container gardening, or manure to help richen the earth with nutrients can be strenuous work. Know your limitations and when to seek help from a friend or family member. Lifting heavy weights or shoveling earth into a wheelbarrow must be done carefully. Always keep the knees slightly bent and always use your legs to lift; never use your back to lift.
• Always try to find ways to make gardening much easier on your body; after all, gardening is physical work. If on your knees a lot, be sure to cushion your knees if you suffer from sore knee joints.
• When container gardening, arrange your containers where you want them to be, then fill them up with earth.
• Always be sure to play it safe; never leave your rakes or other garden implements on the ground. If you forget about them, you could end up tripping over them and hurting yourself.
• If it is hot out, know your limitations. Drink lots of water and take breaks.
• If you have arthritis or any other health issue, be sure to use garden tools that will help you such as long-handled tools. These will allow you to stand so you can avoid stooping over.
• Let your stronger joints do the work whenever possible. Even when something may not be that heavy to lift, instead of using your fingers, use the flat palm of your hand or your forearms to lift. Keep the lifted items close to your body as you carry them. Stand or sit with good posture while you work; and change positions often.

There you have it! Comprehensive spring gardening tips you’ll find valuable. If you have arthritis or painful joints from an injury, and are not sure about gardening, give Chiro-Med Rehab Centre a call. Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has a walk-in clinic conveniently located at 10144 Yonge Street, just north of Major MacKenzie Drive in the heart of Richmond Hill.Call 905-918-0419 for more information.

Neuromuscular skeletal conditions are experienced by just about everyone at some point in their life. Strains and sprains causing pain are common occurrences throughout our lifetime and sometimes the pain in so intense that it won’t go away. Part of the reason of this is because many people “carry on” their routines as best as they can without seeking treatment and this results in pain that may not go away.

Inflammation and pain are things that many individuals tend to live with by taking medications as opposed to seeking professional treatment that can relieve pain at the root cause. There are a variety of great treatment options out there but there is a type of medical technology that is innovative because it heals injuries on a cellular level and it is safe. The Theralase line of therapeutic medical laser systems are effective with most patients with treating an injury.

Conditions That Are Treatable

There are over twenty pre-programmed clinically proven treatments that the Theralase super-pulsed laser can help with. Some treatable conditions include:

• Pain management
• Arthritis
• Weight loss
• Healing wounds
• Addiction rehabilitation
• Anti-aging
• Herpes simplex
• Skin conditions
• Wrinkles and stretch mark

How Theralase Laser Therapy Works

Light therapy can improve circulation by increasing the formation of new capillaries. (Capillaries are the smallest of a body's blood vessels and are parts of the body’s micro-circulation.) New capillaries help to speed up the healing process by supplying extra oxygen and nutrients that are required for healing and to stimulate collagen production.

One of the secondary mechanisms of light therapy is that it can increase collagen synthesis. Collagen is the essential protein used to repair and replace tissue that has been damaged. It is the essential substance that binds cells together (in conjunction with elastin) therefore increasing elasticity. Increasing both collagen and elastin production has been proven to decrease scar tissue.

Benefits Of Theralase Laser Therapy

Proven clinical studies have found that there is an efficacy rate up to 90 percent and no side effects. This is treatment decreases or eliminates pain, reduces inflammation, promotes nerve axon growth, and so much more.

The positive biological effects are incredible. Some of these effects include:

• Reduced Fibrous Tissue Formation – Theralase laser therapy reduces the formation of scar tissue that occurs after being scratched, cut, burned or from surgery incisions and it allows for the re-absorption of fibrotic tissue.
• Increased Circulation – This laser therapy induces (temporary) vasodilation, which increases blood flow to damaged areas and removes waste products.
• Increased Metabolic Activity – Theralase laser therapy produces higher outputs of specific enzymes, greater oxygen and nutrients to nourish blood cells. There is also an enhanced production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
• Anti-Inflammatory – This laser therapy reduces swelling caused by bruising and it reduces joint inflammation therefore providing greater joint mobility.
  • Rapid Cell Growth – Theralase accelerates cellular growth and reproduction.
• Stimulated Nerve Function – This therapy increases the process of nerve cell reconnection. This prevents or stimulates recovery from nerve-damaged areas.
• Fast Wound Healing – Damaged tissue is repaired quicker as this laser therapy stimulates fibroblast development and accelerates collagen synthesis.

Whether you need help with reducing pain, pain due to arthritis or desire anti-aging treatments give Chiro-Med Rehab Centre a call. Chiro-Med Rehab Centre in Richmond Hill has a convenient location and highly qualified health professionals on staff who are fully trained in the Theralase laser treatment. Visit www.chiro-med.ca or call 905-918-0419 for more information.

Backpacks are, bar none, a better option for carrying books and supplies than a shoulder or a messenger bag. The weight of what is being carried is evenly distributed across the body in which the back and abdominal muscles are used for support. However, backpacks that are not used properly, or if they are overloaded, can cause health problems for children, teens and even adults.

How Can Backpacks Cause Problems?

The human spine consists of 33 vertebrae: 24 presacral vertebrae (7 cervical, 12 thoracic, and 5 lumbar) followed by the sacrum (5 fused sacral vertebrae) and the coccyx (4 frequently fused coccygeal vertebrae). Between the vertebrae are disks that act as natural shock absorbers.

When improperly carrying a heavy weight on your shoulders, the force of the weight can pull you backward. Typically, most people will compensate this by bending forward at the hips or arching the back. This can cause the spine to compress unnaturally.

Those who compensate by leaning forward, over time, the shoulders can become rounded and the upper back may become curved. As a result, neck, shoulder and back pain can develop.

Carrying a messenger bag or backpack over one shoulder can result in lower and upper back pain in addition to straining the neck and shoulders. Backpacks must be worn properly otherwise bad posture may eventually occur.

If you wear a backpack that has tight, narrow straps that put pressure into the shoulders then nerves can be pinched and circulation issues may result. There could even be tingling, weakness and numbness in the arms and hands.

Children Are at Higher Risk

Many health care professionals recommend that children carry no more than 10 to 15 percent of their body weight in their backpacks. The reality is that many carry a lot more than that. Girls and younger children tend to be especially at risk for backpack-related injuries because they're smaller and may carry loads that are heavier in proportion to their body weight.

Wearing school backpacks has a significant biomechanical, physiological and discomfort impact, especially with loads above 10 percent of the student’s body weight.

There are a multitude of health impacts that children and youth are experiencing such as:

• poor posture (changes to spinal posture, lumbo-sacral angles, and thoracic kyphosis);
• gait (increases in plantar pressure during foot-ground contact and increased double support);
• increases in physical discomfort and muscle activity; and
• increases in breathing rate.

Results of a 2003 review of backpack loads carried by school students was referred to by the National Institutes of Health in 2018. They said that during a school day, children were carrying as much as 30 to 40 percent of their body weight. This 2003 review noted that large, heavy backpacks were a relatively recent phenomenon. It addressed how there is an increasing number of high school students having less time between classes to get to their lockers so they must haul their backpacks with them throughout the day.  Nowadays there are larger textbooks, musical instruments, laptops, and other objects that are presenting areas of concern regarding student loads.

According to the National Institute of Health the weight carried by students, backpack pain and other health concerns have shown little to no improvement over the past 15 years and the recommended load of around 10 percent of the body weight is not always being met. It is highly recommended that if any student walks or rides a bike to school, then the backpack should be closer to the 10 percent mark.

Tips for Choosing and Using Backpacks

• When purchasing a new backpack make sure it has two padded straps that go over your shoulders. The wider the straps, the better.
• Hiking backpacks have a waist belt which helps to distribute the weight more evenly across the body. If it is at all possible, try to get a backpack with this strap. Also, backpacks with multiple compartments can also help distribute the weight more evenly.
• Before placing items in your backpack, adjust the straps so the pack sits close to your back. If the pack hits against the lower back as you walk, the straps are inevitably too long.
• Always pack your backpack with the heaviest items closest to your back.
• Wear both straps over your shoulders.
• Try a “back” pack with wheels. Lots of children use these as an alternative to backpacks. Even adults can benefit from this.

Adults and youth can consider strengthening their core muscles. From an overall health perspective, this is a great way to prevent back injury from not just carrying a heavy backpack, but from most physical activities. Weight training, pilates, and yoga are all activities that can be effective in strengthening these core muscles.

If you or your child is experiencing back discomfort chiropractic care has been proven to help.

Established in 2007 by Dr. Behalf Sanjari, Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has a proven record of commitment providing quality health care services in the Greater Toronto Area. Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has qualified professionals who can provide the services you need. Chiro-Med has clinics located in Richmond Hill and Newmarket, visit Chiro-Med online or call 905-918-0419 or 905-235-2620 for more information.

Fibre is something that most people realize they need a lot of, but the science behind fibre is not that commonly known. Also known as bulk or roughage, fibre is the indigestible part of plant foods that travels through our digestive system, absorbing water along the way and easing bowel movements.

Without a doubt, fibre is essential for our digestive health and regular bowel movements. Fibre also helps us to feel fuller, longer; it can improve cholesterol and blood sugar levels and can assist in preventing some diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and bowel cancer.

Soluble and Insoluble Fibre

You may have heard of the terms soluble fibre or insoluble fibre. These are words that are sometimes used to describe the types of fibre in our diet. Although food scientists argue that these terms are no longer really appropriate, these terms are being used. Technically, soluble fibre includes pectins and beta glucan and insoluble fibre includes cellulose. What's important to remember is that fibre-rich foods typically contain both types of fibre.

Beta-Glucan

One type of fibre that has received well-deserved attention lately is beta-glucan, a glucose polymer found in the cell walls of many cereals (e.g., oats, barley), certain types of mushrooms, yeasts, seaweed, and algae. Among these sources, barley typically has the highest beta-glucan content and oats the second highest.

Beta-glucan have been the subject of intensifying research because they have been found to have beneficial roles in lowering insulin resistance and blood cholesterol, reducing the risk of obesity, and boosting the immune system to help thwart off many diseases including cancer.

According to an article in Today's Dietician (online version), some studies suggest that a boost in immunity occurs from consuming oat beta-glucan; however, most of the beta-glucan research on immunity has been done on mushroom extracts, not oats or barley.

Beta Glucan in Mushrooms

Medicinal mushrooms, especially Coriolus versicolor (also known as Trametes versicolor or “turkey tails”), have commonly been used worldwide for centuries. In the 1980s, the Japanese government approved the use of protein-bound polysaccharide (PSK), a beta-glucan compound found in not just Coriolus versicolor, but many wild and cultivated mushrooms for treating several types of cancers and for widespread use in cancer immunotherapy. Instead of directly killing cancer cells, these mushroom beta-glucan are thought to stimulate immune responses that damage cancer cells. However, because PSK is bound to a protein, pure beta-glucan that have been separated and purified may act differently than beta-glucan from food.

Many mushrooms, including the common store-bought button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus), contain beta glucan. However, the percentage in cultivated mushrooms is small compared to wild mushrooms. Some wild mushrooms include:

• Reishi (Ganaderma lucidum)
• Shiitake (Lentinula edodes)
• Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis)
• Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor)
• Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus sulphurous)
• Maitake (Grifola frondosa)
• Birch Polypore (Piptoporus betulinus)
• Porcini (Boletus edulis)

Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Allergies and Rheumatoid Arthritis

In stimulating the immune system beta glucan are highly unique, because other agents that stimulate the immune system can push the system to over-stimulation, which means that they can make matters worse in the case of auto-immune illnesses such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and allergies. Beta-glucan, however, do stimulate the immune system, but never to the point where it becomes overactive.

MRSA

Commonly called the superbug, MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), is a bacterium that can cause serious infections. It is resistant to most antibiotics making it very difficult to treat.

Beta glucan can help to defend individuals against bacterial infections picked up in hospital, particularly nosocomial infections, E. coli and S. aureus bacteria.

Glucan, Glucans, or β-Glucans?

When researching beta-glucan there are three different terms used to describe beta-glucan. Which is correct? According to Dr. Vaclav Vetvicka, the President of the International Society for Glucan Research, glucan, glucans, or β-Glucans is pretty much all the same.

Research

At the time of writing this article (November 2019), the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City was studying vaccine therapy with beta-glucan in hopes that it may be an effective treatment for high-risk neuroblastoma in children.

Betaglucan.org is a website that focuses on the study of beta-glucan in baker's yeast.

Dr. Vaclav Vetvicka, Ph.D., Professor of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine at the University of Louisville, specializes in studying the effects of beta glucan as natural immunomodulator. His website is glucan.us.

How Much Beta-Glucan Do We Need?

According to Health Canada's website, it is recommended that we get 2 to 10 grams of beta-glucan every day. Health Canada says that beta-glucan:

• Helps reduce/lower (LDL) cholesterol (which is one risk factor for the development of coronary heart disease)
• Provides support for healthy (postprandial) glucose metabolism (within two hours after a meal).
• Helps improve (postprandial) glucose metabolism (within two hours after a meal).
• Source of fiber for the maintenance of good health.
• Helps support and maintain a healthy digestive system.

If you want to integrate beta-glucan into your diet and need assistance determining how much you need, or, if you have any health ailment in which you think beta-glucan may help, we have qualified health professionals who can help you.

Established in 2007 by Dr. Behalf Sanjari, Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has a proven record of commitment providing quality health care services in the Greater Toronto Area. Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has qualified professionals who can provide the services you need. Chiro-Med has clinics located in Richmond Hill and Newmarket, visit Chiro-Med online or call 905-918-0419 or 905-235-2620 for more information.

In today’s fast paced world, everyone seems to be in a hurry, burning the candle at both ends to meet deadlines and juggle the responsibilities of everyday life.  Eventually stress can wear down even the hardiest of us, resulting in physical illness.  You may wonder how stress, which triggers an emotional response, can manifest as physical illness, but it is really quite simple.  Every emotion that we feel is associated with the release of chemicals inside the body.  Usually the body absorbs or eliminates such chemicals, but high levels of stress can cause excess amounts of these chemicals to accumulate in the tissues of the body, creating imbalances that can eventually result in the development of dangerous illnesses.  Stress can trigger powerful emotions such as frustration, anger and even depression.  The chemical reactions associated with these emotions often lead to headaches and digestive problems, but can manifest as even more tangible complaints such as heart disease, high blood pressure and even stroke.

Massage therapy is one of the leading methods of relieving stress today, although it has been practiced in many cultures for thousands of years.  Its roots can be found in Greek, Roman, Chinese, Indian and Egyptian cultures several thousand years B.C.  Modern massage therapy often combines techniques borrowed from various different cultures to provide the most beneficial treatment possible.  Richmond Hill massage therapy uses all of the best techniques to provide the most effective treatment possible to relieve your stress and leave you feeling rejuvenated and refreshed.

Richmond Hill massage therapy benefits the body in a variety of ways.  It improves circulation, reducing the heart rate and lowering blood pressure.  It also stimulates the flow of lymphatic fluid and endorphins to detoxify the body and relieve pain.  So if you are feeling overwhelmed by stress, why not indulge yourself with massage therapy from Richmond Hill?

Acupuncture has been practiced for thousands of years by Chinese healers, but today it is being used throughout the world for many more purposes than the ancient Chinese ever imagined.  Today, acupuncture is commonly used for the relief of pain and illness, but has also become a common treatment for all types of addictions.  A Richmond Hill acupuncture specialist can treat you for any type of addiction, whether it is alcoholism, smoking or even heroin addiction.  Overeating is sometimes considered to be a type of addiction that results in obesity, and acupuncture can successfully treat this problem too.

Addictions respond remarkably well to acupuncture treatments, although you should keep in mind that it will usually take more than one treatment to produce results.  The number of treatments you need and the frequency of treatments can vary depending on the type of addiction you are battling.  For chronic substance abuse, a schedule of ongoing treatment is usually recommended.  In the beginning, it is usually necessary to have acupuncture treatments on a daily basis until the withdrawal period is over.  A Richmond Hill acupuncture professional can assess your condition and determine how many treatments will be needed.

One particular type of acupuncture that is particularly effective in treating addictions is auricular, or ear acupuncture.  With this type of acupuncture, tiny needles are inserted into various points in the ears, particularly in the lobes, to target the meridians that influence cravings.  Auricular acupuncture is usually used in conjunction with body acupuncture to ease stress and control cravings.

When used as part of a substance abuse rehabilitation program, acupuncture can be a very effective tool.  People with severe addictions are advised not to undergo withdrawal without some assistance and counseling from an addiction specialist.  Whether you are battling a substance abuse problem or simply quitting smoking, Richmond Hill acupuncture treatments can help free you from your addictions once and for all!