Yes. In Alberta, a registered acupuncturist undergoes several years of training and must pass a rigorous licensing exam to ensure the safe implementation of needles. All acupuncture needles used are pre-sterilized and disposable (single-use).

When administered by a skilled professional, acupuncture should not hurt. The hair-thin needles are not to be compared with the thick hypodermic syringes used for shots or drawing blood. A momentary prick may be felt around the needle as it is inserted, eventually creating a dull pressure or tingling around the area during the treatment. Most people are amazed by how relaxed they feel during and after the session. This can only occur if the treatment is comfortable and gentle.

Depending on the nature, severity and duration of the complaint, the course of treatment will vary. As a general guideline, most acute problems can be fixed quickly, often with 1-5 treatments over a short amount of time. For more chronic conditions, the best outcome will be achieved with weekly or bi-weekly sessions over a period of a few weeks to a few months. Every person responds uniquely to acupuncture. Some notice an immediate improvement in their health while others experience a cumulative effect over several visits. It should be noted that the speed of progress can be assisted by the patient's willingness to live and eat well in conjunction with the acupuncture therapy.

Many extended, or secondary health insurance plans provide coverage for acupuncture care. Be sure to check your plan as each provider offers varying amounts in coverage. Calgary Acupuncture Centre will issue a receipt for your treatment which can be submitted for insurance reimbursement. At this time Alberta Health Care does not insure acupuncture. In addition, Calgary Acupuncture Centre has successfully assisted many individuals following motor vehicle accidents (MVA). You may be eligible for full coverage of acupuncture service following a car accident. Be sure to discuss acupuncture as an option with your primary care provider (chiropractor, medical doctor, or physiotherapist) if you've recently suffered an MVA.

Initial consultation and treatment visit, approximately 90 minutes: $140 Follow-up treatment, approximately 60 minutes: $85 Be sure to ask about multiple treatment package discounts if extended care or prevention and health maintenance are part of your wellness goals. We accept VISA, MasterCard, Interac, cash and cheque as forms of payment.

Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing or bring a change of clothes with you. Avoid tobacco, caffeine, alcohol and sedatives 2 hours before and 2 hours after treatment. Do not engage in physically strenuous or excessively stressful activity 2 hours before and 2 hours after treatment. Avoid eating large meals 1 hour before and 1 hour after treatment. Small amounts of food (snacks) before and after treatment are okay. Do not come for treatment on a completely empty stomach. After treatment, be sure to drink plenty of water, unless advised differently. If treatment is for a pain condition, continue to avoid strenuous activity for 2 days after treatment, even if you are pain-free. Until a discussion takes place about decreasing or stopping medications, continue to take prescription drugs as directed by your physician.

We are passionate about acupuncture and Chinese medicine and are devoted to the highest quality patient care. Providing safe and effective acupuncture treatment is our daily practice and driving purpose. We are a holistic clinic, focusing on the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of the patient's state of health. All are equally important and influential in achieving an optimal state of balance and wellness. We take our time with you. Your initial visit is approximately 90 minutes. Follow-up visits are approximately 60 minutes. There is always time for questions and discussion. We educate you about what's wrong, why it's so, and how it can be fixed according to Eastern and Western medical perspectives. Dr. Wegmann is clear in his communication and is always happy to explain what he is doing. When you have an acupuncture session, you receive herbal, nutritional, and meditation guidance, as well as cupping, moxibustion, gua sha, and tui na massage when necessary, all at no extra cost. We intentionally created a unique clinic environment, specifically designed to encourage peace of mind and to support the healing process. Schedules can be hectic, we completely understand. Morning, afternoon and evening appointments are available.

Feeling some nerves around trying acupuncture for the first time is totally normal. And, with the staggering amount of treatment options out there, alongside the conflicting and evolving research around their effectiveness, it's natural to wonder, "what is the next best step?" If you prefer to toe-test the waters before wading in, we've got you covered. Call in to schedule a complementary 20 minute consultation to get more comfortable with the process and meet Dr. Wegmann first. You can discuss your goals, your concerns and your questions to help you decide if acupuncture is an avenue you'd like to explore.

Vibe Health & Spine is located on the third floor of the Royal Canadian Legion building. Free underground parking is available as well as some outdoor surface stalls directly to the east of the building. There is also plenty of free street parking within the blocks surrounding the Legion building. The main entrance for the building is on the eastern side. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible and there is an elevator from the undergound parking area and off the main floor lobby.

Acupuncture is a common technique within the larger system known as Traditional Chinese Medicine. The practice has a written history in China of 2000 years but dates back another thousand years or more before recorded history. It is currently used by a quarter of the world's population, mostly in Asia, and its popularity is growing rapidly in the West as scientific studies prove its efficacy. Acupuncture consists of the insertion of extremely fine needles into specific points to regulate the systems of the body and alleviate pain and dysfunction. A qualified Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine may use acupuncture in conjunction with herbal and diet therapy, exercise (Tai Chi, Qi Gong), tui na massage, moxibustion, cupping, and gua sha.

Over several thousand years, dedicated Chinese doctors developed a working theory of acupuncture. They discovered channels along the body that connected the organs and various systems of the body. These channels or meridians acted as pathways where qi (vital energy, life force) circulated to maintain proper mental and physical function. The doctors found that when there was disease or dysfunction in the body, the qi was blocked or in a state of excess or deficiency. Acupuncture became an effective method to promote the flow of qi and restore balance to the body. By inserting needles in specific points along the channels, doctors could stimulate the body's qi to circulate properly, thus regulating organ and whole body function. Through the centuries, these doctors recorded their efforts, observations, and theory with astounding detail. Every generation learned from and improved upon those that came before. Today, acupuncture is benefiting from modern research techniques. Countless studies are now supporting what the Chinese have known for so long. Though the exact mechanism of how acupuncture works in bio-medical terms is still unknown, several modern theories are in formulation. What is known is that acupuncture works very well to relax muscles, reduce inflammation, stop pain, and calm the mind. I