Frequently Asked Questions
What is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?
Traditional Chinese Medicine is an ancient method of health care that combines the use of medicinal herbs, acupuncture, food therapy, massage, and therapeutic exercise. It has been proven effective for many conditions, including chronic degenerative disease, cancer, infectious disease, allergies, childhood ailments, heart disease, and AIDS.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is based on the traditional Chinese theory of meridian-energy pathways that are believed to run through the body, carrying the vital force or energy called chi. In this therapy, the flow of chi is controlled by the insertion of hair-thin needles at specific points... [and] must be performed by a trained practitioner.
An average treatment involves the insertion of 5 to 15 fine needles. They may penetrate as little as a fraction of an inch or as much as three or four inches (where a thick layer of fat or muscle exists). The procedure usually causes little pain, although often there may be a tingling or a heavy sensation.
The ability of acupuncture to relieve pain in many patients is well documented, and the physical basis of the pain relief has been demonstrated through laboratory tests on animals; acupuncture releases endorphins and other forms of neurotransmitters that serve as the body's natural painkillers. However, researchers remain unclear as to how acupuncture is able to provide long-lasting pain relief... Acupuncture has [also] been found effective in stroke rehabilitation, relieving nausea...[and] has been recommended as a treatment for drug addiction.
Does the provincial medical plan cover the TCM and Acupuncture?
Currently the BC provincial medical plan (MSP) doesn't cover these expenses, and the industry is lobbying to convince the provincial government to review the policy and make TCM and Acupuncture claimable within the MSP.
However, WCB, ICBC, and some extended health care plans may provide coverage depending the patients' condition and their insurance policies.
