Acupuncture

About This Service

At Bedford Health Centre in Bedford, NS, our Registered Acupuncturists (R.Ac) are healthcare professionals who have obtained a diploma from an accredited full-time Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine program totalling at least 1900 hours, including 500 hours of clinical residency.

Treatments are scheduled for 30, 60, 75, or 90 minutes depending on your injury or health concern. Your acupuncturist will discuss the duration and treatment plan best for you during your initial assessment. Treatments are often covered under most private health insurance plans. We serve patients from Bedford, Halifax, Sackville, and surrounding areas in the Halifax Regional Municipality.

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a key component of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), involving the insertion of thin, sterile needles into specific points on the body known as acupoints to stimulate healing. These points are located along pathways called meridians, which are believed to carry the body's vital energy or "Qi" (pronounced "chee"). When Qi becomes blocked or imbalanced, it can lead to discomfort or illness.

Acupuncture is a holistic approach that treats the mind, body, and spirit. Acupuncture is virtually painless, safe, relaxing, and effective. The benefits are often beyond what people expect and can help with many conditions as well as be used as preventative care.

How Acupuncture Works

Acupuncture works by:

• Stimulating the nervous system to release natural painkillers (endorphins)
• Improving blood circulation to promote tissue repair
• Reducing inflammation
• Balancing the flow of energy (Qi) throughout the body

This gentle yet powerful technique helps regulate physical, mental, and emotional health.

Benefits of Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been shown to provide relief for a wide range of conditions, including:

• Chronic pain (back pain, neck pain, joint pain, headaches/migraines)
• Stress, anxiety, and depression
• Digestive issues (IBS, bloating, nausea)
• Women's health (menstrual irregularities, fertility support, menopause symptoms)
• Insomnia and sleep disorders
• Respiratory issues
• Allergies and sinus conditions
• Sports injuries and muscle tension
• Post-surgical recovery
• Post motor vehicle accident
• General wellness and immune system support

Preventative Health

Many people choose acupuncture when they are suffering, but did you know it can help prevent pain, injuries, and illness?

One great benefit of acupuncture is stress reduction. Staying chronically stressed can lead to serious health conditions like high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, digestive issues, cancer, and more. Regular acupuncture helps to maintain Qi balance and prevent issues down the road.

What to Expect During an Acupuncture Appointment

Your initial visit includes a comprehensive assessment where your practitioner will:

• Discuss your health history and current concerns
• Conduct a physical assessment, which may include observing your tongue, checking your pulse, and palpating areas of tension
• Develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs

The Treatment

Comfortable Environment: You'll relax on a padded treatment table in a calm, peaceful setting.

Gentle Needle Insertion: The needles are very thin—most people feel little to no discomfort, often describing it as a mild tingling or warmth.

Relaxation Time: You'll rest with the needles in place for about 20-30 minutes, allowing your body to respond to the treatment.

After the session, many clients feel relaxed, refreshed, or experience immediate symptom relief. Others may notice gradual improvement over a few treatments, depending on the condition being addressed.

Additional TCM Services

In addition to acupuncture, our TCM acupuncture services may include:

Neuroacupuncture (Scalp Acu)

Focuses on needling areas on the scalp according to the brain's neuroanatomy and neurophysiology to promote healing and enhance neurological function to regulate and harmonize the functional activities of the brain and body, as well as to restore and strengthen the functions of the body, organs, and tissues. Often treatment for CNS pain disorders, specialized therapy used to address neurological conditions like MS, stroke recovery, Alzheimer's, facial paralysis, brain injury, and others.

Auricular Acupuncture

Stimulating specific points on the external ear are stimulated to address areas of the body where treatment of health conditions is desired. This treatment is based on the principle that the ear is a microsystem representing the entire body, allowing for effective intervention in various health issues. Auricular acupuncture is beneficial for psycho-emotional concerns such as PTSD and trauma; it is effective in managing stress, anxiety, and glandular function.

Facial Rejuvenation

A non-surgical holistic treatment combines facial and body acupuncture, gua sha, and cupping to enhance skin health, promote relaxation, and increase Qi flow. Facial rejuvenation lifts skin, boosts collagen, and improves circulation to reduce signs of aging and stress. It diminishes fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, scarring, puffiness, eye bags, acne, jowls, and sagging while improving overall skin radiance.

Gua Sha

Traditional Chinese medicine therapy without the use of needles. Gua sha involves scraping the skin with a smooth tool to promote circulation and tissue healing. It is effective for alleviating pain, muscle stiffness, tension, knots, and stress while supporting overall wellness.

Cupping/Fire Cupping Therapy

Fire cupping is a traditional Chinese medicine therapy without the use of needles. Fire cupping uses a flame to eliminate oxygen inside the cup to create a vacuum on the skin, which lifts tissue, reduces inflammation, and enhances blood flow. Cupping is effective to stimulate healing, relieve muscle pain, and eliminate toxins.

What is Cupping?

This is a therapy used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to relieve spasms and pain, promote normal circulation to the muscles, tissues, and organs. It can reduce inflammation and improve lymphatic drainage while providing the benefits of a deep tissue massage.

Glass cups (with the use of heat - Fire cupping) or silicone cups are placed directly on the skin providing a suction to bring toxins to the surface. The cups may create markings that go away within 10 days.

Gua sha involves scraping the skin with a smooth tool to promote circulation and relieve muscle stiffness.

Is Acupuncture Right for You?

Acupuncture is safe for clients of all ages, including children, pregnant women, and older adults. It can be used as a standalone therapy or as part of an integrated treatment plan alongside physiotherapy, massage therapy, osteopathy, and other healthcare services.

Whether you are seeking relief from chronic pain, stress, or other health concerns, our acupuncture services are designed to support your body's natural healing abilities. Our practitioners address not just symptoms but the root causes of imbalances in the body.

Your health, your balance, your well-being—let's restore it together.