Avenue Acupuncture FAQs

Anxiety is a common mental health disorder characterized by feelings of worry, nervousness, and fear. It can manifest as physical symptoms like increased heart rate, muscle tension, and difficulty breathing, as well as psychological symptoms such as excessive worry, restlessness, and difficulty concentrating.

TCM views back pain, whether acute or chronic, as being caused by a blockage of well oxygenated blood flow to the area (qi and blood stagnation), which leaves the tissues undernourished and in pain. This can be treated with acupuncture, Tuina massage, cupping, or guasha.

Treatment varies by cause and can include hot or cold packs, continued activity while avoiding bed rest, strengthening exercises and physical therapy, over the counter or prescription medication, and surgery for cases where other therapies fail or serious nerve compression is present.

Common causes include sprains and strains, traumatic injury, intervertebral disc degeneration, herniated or ruptured discs, sciatica, and skeletal irregularities like lordosis or scoliosis. Occasionally back pain can be caused by more serious conditions such as infections, tumors, or kidney stones, which is why a proper assessment is important.

Back pain and other back problems are among the most chronic conditions in Canada. About 80% of people will suffer from low back pain during their life, and although half of cases resolve in 4-8 weeks, 85% of people will have it multiple times.

TCM views nose-related symptoms as a branch of an internal problem with the body’s organs, particularly the lungs, which are most easily affected by external pathogens like allergens and bacteria. A TCM practitioner looks at where in the body the imbalance originated in order to relieve immediate symptoms while addressing the underlying cause.

For allergic rhinitis, treatments include avoiding the allergen, allergy shots, saline washes, antihistamines, corticosteroid nasal sprays, and decongestants. For chronic sinusitis, treatments include saline washes, nasal or oral corticosteroids, antibiotics for bacterial infections, immunotherapy, or surgery for polyps or other obstructions.

Allergic rhinitis, commonly called hay fever, is caused by environmental allergens like pollen, mold, or dust mites triggering the immune system. Chronic sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinus lining caused by nasal polyps, a deviated septum, respiratory infections, or as a complication of another condition. The two are often linked, since allergic rhinitis can block the nose and lead to sinusitis.

A session includes points both close to the painful area on the wrist and distal points elsewhere on the body. For mild to moderate cases, a typical course is about four weeks with two sessions per week, and studies have found acupuncture as effective as short-term low-dose steroid treatment for symptom relief.

Mild cases may be treated with stretching, rest, and a splint or brace, along with anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroids. For more severe cases lasting six months or longer, surgery is recommended to relieve pressure on the nerve and tendons.