Acupuncture is a true complementary therapy, working well alongside many conventional medical treatments and serving as a support for patients receiving many types of medical care.
There are many ways that acupuncture can complement conventional medical treatments:
- Acupuncture is a drug free therapy that will not conflict with prescription medication or create unforeseen drug interactions
- Acupuncture can enhance the effectiveness of prescription medication by helping with absorption and elimination of medications, helping medications reach their target areas and reducing side effects of medications
Acupuncture can improve outcomes from surgical procedures by
- preparing patients for surgery, strengthening immune and digestive functioning and calming a patient’s mental state
- supporting patients post-surgery, reducing the risk of complications and infections, helping the body eliminate drugs used for anaesthesia, reducing pain and speeding up tissue repair
In addition:
- Acupuncture can be done distally, so the placement of needles can be away from problem areas in the body, avoiding conflicts with local treatments, surgical scars, open wounds, inflamed tissues, broken bones and bandages
- Acupuncture can be done when one is awaiting diagnostic testing or waiting to receive a medical diagnosis
- Acupuncture can be of therapeutic benefit when a condition is deemed not serious enough to warrant a strong medical intervention
- Acupuncture can treat symptoms even when the cause is unknown, or when there is no medical agreement on the diagnosis
- Acupuncture can help reduce stress, which has been shown to improve medical outcomes
Many family doctors and medical specialists are open to patients receiving acupuncture alongside their medically prescribed treatments. Acupuncturists in Ontario are regulated health professionals who can communicate with a patient’s medical team, advising them on the nature of the acupuncture treatments being given and providing them with updates on their patients’ progress.