| Treatment
A typical visit to the acupuncturist consists of the following:
The body’s points are stimulated in several ways, the most common techniques being: 1. The placement of needles Firstly, Sean Laflamme uses a thin sterile tube to perform his insertions and, with a light tap, the needle slides from the tube into the skin in a painless manner. This method has advantages: it allows for the insertion of very thin needles and assures that nothing makes contact with the needle before insertion. Secondly, the needle is inserted to the desired depth, determined by the location of the point and the imbalance to be treated. The sensations experienced during initial stimulation vary - tingling, warmth, pulsations, light electric current, etc.. The needles are left in place while you, the patient, rest comfortably. Little in the way of sensation is experienced during this period, which can vary from 10 to 30 minutes. Most feel refreshed and rested after this segment; some patients even nap while the needles are left in place. N.B.: to avoid all risk of infection, Sean Laflamme clinic uses only disposable needles and materials.
For clients who are interested, Sean demonstrates points that can be massaged at home.
Circulation of blood and energy may be invigorated by applying heat to inserted needles, points or specific zones, depending on the imbalance under treatment. Heat can be applied with a heating lamp or by the burning of specific herbs (moxa) near the skin. The warmth experienced in this technique is comforting and relaxing. Moxa is commonly used to stimulate digestive function, to activate the immune system and to treat certain types of rheumatism.
4. Cupping This method involves suction on selected points using sterile cups. It is a technique used to bring blood and Qi circulation forcefully to surface tissues. Used mostly during the treatment of acute disorders involving pain and fever, the cups can be left in place for a period of time or glided along the meridians (circulation pathways).
This
is a modern acupuncture technique involving the introduction of slight
electrical impulses to inserted needles. It is mostly used in cases
where continued needle manipulation is prescribed, especially in the
treatment of injury and pain. It has a remarkable anaesthetic affect.
In China, many surgeries, even certain cardiac surgeries, are performed
using acupuncture as an anaesthetic. The use of such techniques
improves patient recovery drastically by considerably reducing chemical
injections.
Qi Gong literally means Energy Cultivation. During a treatment, a practitioner may improve the stimulation of points and zones by guiding you in the performance of certain techniques involving breathing exercises. An acupuncturist who practises Qi Gong can also improve circulation to specific zones through the strategic placement of hands, much like Reiki, and may teach you simple breathing techniques to help at home between treatments. For more on Qi Gong, refer to the section Qi Gong.
Patient Education Patient Education is an integral part of holistic medicine. For a person to develop preventative techniques based on an experience with illness, he must first understand what has gone on, and what must be done to remedy an unwanted situation. “In my practice the patient always comes first. At every step, I tell the patient how I perceive the disorder and what I can do to help. If the client wishes, I explain in simple terms what is going on in the body, and what the treatment will do.” (Sean Laflamme Ac., Montreal acupuncturist) Through study and clinical practice, Sean Laflamme has consciously designed techniques that allow a patient to participate in the promotion and maintenance of his own health and well being. Examples:
At Sean Laflamme acupuncture clinic, the first consultation may take up to 90 minutes, a period of time needed to obtain a good grasp of the person’s problem and the circumstances of his/her suffering. Subsequent visits are normally 45 to 60 minutes in duration. |