Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient form of treatment that originated in China and is connected to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that has been used for thousands of years. Acupuncture can treat a wide range of illnesses, ailments, and injuries. Using the idea that every part and function on your body has an acupuncture point where tiny needles are placed in the skin often painlessly. These acupuncture points all have different purposes based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theories and can help different conditions and concerns.
How does Acupuncture work?
The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) dictates that energy (Qi) flows in channels throughout the body. These channels are like rivers of energy referred to as meridians. The meridians are a basic energy map of the body. Each major organ in the body is associated with its own meridian and all parts of the body are all connected through theses meridians. It is believed that health is a manifestation of balance. When the body is balanced Qi flows smoothly through the meridians to nourish the organs and tissues. If an obstruction occurs the Qi cannot flow properly which leads to a state of dis-ease and often illness occurs. Physical and emotional trauma, stress, lack of exercise, overexertion, seasonal changes, poor diet, injuries, and accidents are among the many things that can influence the quality, quantity and balance of Qi. As an acupuncture provider (Certified by the ACO – Acupuncture Council of Ontario), Dr. Daniel Javitz, D.C. may choose to use acupuncture as an additional treatment tool along with his other chiropractic treatment techniques to address musculoskeletal and neurological concerns as described below in the “Acupuncture and Modern Science” section.
Acupuncture Points
Acupuncture points are the specific points on the meridians where the Qi is both concentrated and accessible. Acupuncture procedure engages the Qi by inserting needles at these specific points, the goal being to restore the proper flow of Qi. As the body regains its natural balance, well-being returns.
Acupuncture and Modern Science
In Western science, a stimulus is defined as a detectable change in the body. With modern technology scientists can now actually begin to “see” the body’s response to acupuncture. For example, using an MRI, corresponding changes occur in the brain upon insertion of the needles at specific points. Acupuncture points are now believed to stimulate the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) often releasing endorphins and other hormones that influence the self-regulating and healing systems of the body. As a chiropractor that can use acupuncture as an adjunct therapeutic tool (ACO – Acupuncture Council of Ontario Certified), Dr. Daniel Javitz, D.C. chiropractor and acupuncture provider can addresses various dysfunctions using this theory/understanding of acupuncture therapy.
In summary, Acupuncture:
- Stimulates circulation
- Helping to stimulates the release of pain-relieving endorphins
- Influences the release substances that transmit nerve impulses to the brain (neurotransmitters)
- Influences the electrical currents of the body
- May also help influence the autonomic nervous system
What to expect at you appointment
When receiving acupuncture treatment, you may experience a vague numbness, heaviness, tingling or dull ache where the needle has been inserted. It is definitely an individual experience but know that the sensation is a sign of movement and that the treatment is working. After the treatment you may feel energized or even a deep sense of relaxation.
Will my insurance cover Acupuncture treatments provided by a Chiropractor or an Acupuncturist?
As of 2025, Dr. Daniel Javitz, D.C. is a Chiropractor and an Acupuncture Provider (Certified by the ACO – Acupuncture Council of Ontario). Dr. Daniel Javitz, D.C. is not a dual registrant anymore as he had decided to retire his Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac.) designation licensed by the CTCMPAO (College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario). This difficult decision came as a first step of many to take place in coming months/years to downsize and reduce quality of life time vacuums relating to over-regulation, obligation, expectation, and demands as well as financial expense pressures associated with maintaining additional professional licenses that are only covered by a few insurance companies and where there is very little to no demand for the Acupuncture service as a stand alone treatment in this clinic. Eventually all services will be reduced as Dr. Javitz seeks to simplify his life by putting a greater focus on his family’s health needs, career change goals/plans, and relocation goals. Canada is no longer a reasonable place to sustain a good quality of life given the cost of living, the cost of running a business, the high taxation, etc… associated with providing alternative healthcare in a location limited environment when compared to making a living in other ways. For Acupuncture billing purposes, any insurance company that strictly will want to see a CTCMPAO certification on the receipts may not reimburse the patient for an acupuncture treatment provided by Dr. Daniel Javitz, D.C. acupuncture provider certified that will have an ACO (Acupuncture Council of Ontario) certificate number on the receipts instead. In such cases, the acupuncture treatments will have to fall under the patient’s chiropractic billing portion of their insurance coverage rather than their Acupuncturist portion of their insurance coverage.
As a chiropractor with the Acupuncture provider designation, Dr. Daniel Javitz, D.C. is able to provide acupuncture therapy as an additional adjunct treatment option to his chiropractic care within the scope of chiropractic practice when consent to do so is provided as the acupuncture service is backed by a certification from the ACO (Acupuncture Council of Ontario). Some Insurance companies may accept this ACO certificate number on a receipt as a means to reimburse a patient for Acupuncture only treatments. This will be accessed on a case by case basis as requested by the patient to check and see. Each extended health insurance company varies. Dr. Javitz can help guide you in contacting your insurance provider and find out if acupuncture is covered separately from their chiropractic coverage in recognition of the ACO – Acupuncture Council of Ontario certificate that he holds. If the insurance company accepts and recognizes the ACO certificate, then the acupuncture treatments will be covered under the patient’s insurance coverage allocated to Acupuncture therapy. A patient needs to find out if acupuncture treatments are only covered by an acupuncturist licensed by the CTCMPAO or if their insurance coverage will accept an Acupuncture Council of Ontario (ACO) Certificate designation on the receipts for reimbursement of the treatments. The patient should also find out if their coverage has a set total amount designated for Acupuncture services and if they need a referral from a family medical doctor prior to their first Acupuncture treatment. Feel free to contact your insurance company and obtain this information prior to your first Acupuncture visit. The cost of treatments vary depending upon what procedures are performed, the time required, cost of needles, and whether the treatment was combined with chiropractic care or not. Additional questions can be discussed with Dr. Daniel Javitz, D.C. during or prior to your visit.
What can Acupuncture treat?
Chiropractic care in Ontario typically uses acupuncture as a tool to help treat muscle, nerve, and joint conditions (Bold bullet points below), but Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acupuncture provided by an acupuncturist is also recognized by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) as effective in treating such conditions as (including the Bold bullet points below):
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