At Advanced Women’s Health, we approach acupuncture as a foundational aspect of healing, recovery and balance. Sean Quigley, our practice lead, focuses on reproductive health and fertility for women and men, IVF/IUI support and preparation, pregnancy, PCOS, endometriosis, stress relief, sleep and pain management.

Research has recognized several physiological effects of acupuncture, including increased blood flow, decreased inflammation, relief from pain, relief of muscle spasms, and increased T-cell count. These mechanisms of action are why acupuncture is a useful treatment for many situations including reproductive health and fertility, mental health, and pain and inflammation.

We make sure all our patients feel welcome, safe, and taken care of.

“My primary goals are always safety and comfort. Everyone that comes in for treatment requires a different approach, and it is my job to meet you where you are and supply the best and most successful treatment that my clinical experience and research supports.”

During your first visit Sean will review your medical history, discuss your specific health goals and how acupuncture can help, and outline what to expect during treatment. 

Treatment Modalities

First Appointment

Following the initial interview, you will lie on a comfortable massage table. For certain treatments it is more convenient to remove some articles of clothing and use a sheet for draping purposes, but generally loose pants and a loose top are most comfortable and it allows your practitioner to access all the points necessary for the treatment. 

There is a therapeutic far infrared heat lamp for warmth and circulation, and the temperature in the room is comfortable. 

Sean may feel your pulse, look at your tongue or palpate your skin, depending on what your health goals are. From over 400 acupuncture points located all over the body, he will then carefully choose the appropriate acupoints for your situation and clean each point to be treated with alcohol. A treatment generally includes 8-12 points – sometimes more and sometimes less. Feel free to ask questions at any time if you are curious about why certain points are chosen and their specific function for your treatment.

The sterile, single-use needles are held in a guide tube which holds each needle in place and allows for precision of placement. You will feel the guide tube on your skin before the needle is gently tapped. After the needles are in place and Sean ensures that you are relaxed and comfortable, electrical stimulation may be included with the treatment. This modern twist to an acupuncture treatment has been shown to improve health outcomes and success rates for many situations without adding any discomfort to the experience. 

Needle Sensation

With acupuncture there is often a sensation felt around the area of the needles during the treatment. This is called “deqi” and it is a good sign that the treatment will be successful and an indication that your nervous system has recognized the needle. Very occasionally there will be a small pinch or sharpness with a needle, and more common sensations to expect include distention, energy, numbness, heaviness, or a feeling of moving electricity. Often people will experience a sensation far away from the area being needled. 

Acupuncture point selection may vary from treatment to treatment, depending on the situation and goals. For certain patients, the acupuncture points may be the same from treatment to treatment. 

Once the acupuncture points have been needled and Sean makes sure you are comfortable, you will be left alone in the treatment room and with low light and relaxing music for 25-45 minutes (depending on the treatment protocol). Before or after the acupuncture treatment other modalities such as acupressure or cupping therapy may also be used.

About our Acupuncture Treatments

How many sessions should I expect?

• 2/week or weekly treatments are recommended to get started for 1-3 weeks. 
• We can expect to see results within 4-6 treatments, or sooner. Acupuncture treatments are cumulative, but it is more beneficial to have an initial course of treatments in closer succession if possible. 
• Once symptoms have obviously decreased, it is recommended to continue treatment on a weekly, biweekly or monthly basis for maintenance and as required. 
• People respond differently to acupuncture. As you receive more treatments you will get to know how it works for your situation and can plan your treatments accordingly. 

For many people a 3-stage plan is often a good choice:

• Stage I:  One-hour treatment, 2 times/week over the first 1-3 weeks. Once the symptoms have obviously improved, then go to stage II.
• Stage II: 1 treatment/week for 1 month.
• Stage III: 1 treatment /1-2months as maintenance.

Reproductive Health Treatments:

• Reproductive health and fertility treatments for men and women often require 12 sessions. 
• A common treatment plan for a single complaint would typically involve 4-6 weekly treatments. 
• More complex complaints often require 8-12 sessions over several months.
• Acute complaints including pain, insomnia, or mental health are often treated twice weekly until symptoms improve. 
• Maintenance treatments every 2 weeks or monthly are often beneficial after an initial course of successful treatments

What can Acupuncture Treat

Note:

Acupuncture is a regulated profession in Ontario. The College (CTCMPAO) is the governing body established by the government of Ontario, under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 and the Traditional Chinese Medicine Act, 2006.

The law in Ontario requires that every practitioner must be a registered member of the College (CTCMPAO).