Acupuncture is the practice of inserting fine needles into the skin at specific points to relieve pain, increase blood and lymphatic flow to the area, decrease muscle tension and promote healing. The points can be along the “meridians” of the body or in specific areas associated with the condition being treated, which are called "ashi points".

 

There are two different approaches to Acupuncture, Western (Contemporary or Evidence Based) Acupuncture and Eastern (Traditional Chinese Medicine) Acupuncture..

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Western acupuncture is an adaptation of Chinese acupuncture using current knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology, and the principles of evidence based medicine. While Western medical acupuncture has evolved from Chinese acupuncture, its practitioners no longer adhere to concepts such as Yin/Yang and circulation of qi, and regard acupuncture as part of conventional medicine rather than a complete "alternative medical system". It acts by stimulating the nervous system and has been proven to affect the central nervous system. Western medical acupuncture is mainly used to treat musculoskeletal pain, including myofascial trigger point pain, muscle tension and inflammation (to treat conditions like tendonitis). Research has proven that acupuncture produces an analgesic effect because it causes the release of enkephalin, a naturally occurring endorphin that has opiate-like effects. (World Health Organization)

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The Eastern, Traditional Chinese Medicine approach includes the concept of a vital energy flow or life force (chi) which circulates through the body along meridians similar to the blood, lymphatic, and neural circuits. It is believed that there are two energy flows, which are in everything in the universe. Yang, the positive principle, tends to stimulate and to contract; yin, the negative principle, tends to sedate and to expand. Health depends upon the equilibrium of yang and yin, first in the body and secondly in the universe.The therapeutic objective of Eastern acupuncture is to rectify an imbalance in the energy flow.
 

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Registered Massage Therapists can take extra training to become certified in acupuncture. RMTs practice Acupuncture within their Scope of Practice, which is the assessment of the soft tissues and joints of the body, the treatment and prevention of physical dysfunction and pain of the soft tissues and joints by manipulation to develop, maintain, rehabilitate or augment physical function or relieve pain. RMT's acupuncture eduction can include both Eastern and Western philosophies of acupuncture.

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Acupuncture can be used safely and effectively as an adjunct to the other techniques that are within an RMT's Scope of Practice.