Today in Western cultures, acupuncture is often seen as recent and faddish. In fact, acupuncture is a health practice that has existed for thousands of years. The first references to acupuncture appear in the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine (Huang Di Nei Jing) that was completed well over 2000 years ago.  Since then, acupuncture has been developed and perfected by medical practitioners of great skill and insight. It continues to evolve and prove itself today in clinical practice.

Acupuncture consists of stimulating with precision certain special points on the body known to be effective in the treatment of specific health problems. Points are selected and stimulated in combination to insure equilibrium among the major systems of the body.  Points are mostly stimulated by the insertion of thin needles on the body’s surface, placed strategically to influence physiological function.

The principal goal of acupuncture is to help your body achieve optimal health. Treatment does not merely suppress symptoms, but seeks to rebalance the functions of the body as a whole. In other words, acupuncture assists the body in the natural process of healing. In acupuncture, as in all branches of Chinese Medicine, emphasis is placed on achieving vibrant good health and well being.

A typical visit to an acupuncturist, like Sean Laflamme, consists of several important steps:

1. an in depth evaluation of your state of health;
2. the development of a treatment plan tailored to your needs;
3. the proper selection of point combinations; and
4. the stimulation of these points in a calm and peaceful environment.

Points and Meridians

Acupuncture points are located on energy pathways called meridians. These pathways cover the body in its entirety, interrelating the different systems and tissues in an interdependent network. Acupuncture points are concentrated zones of energy that, when stimulated in combination, greatly influence the organ systems of which they are a part.

Points stimulated during a treatment are generally located on the arms, legs, abdomen and back. For more information on acupuncture procedures and techniques, click on the heading Treatment.

Top

A Holistic Medicine

Acupuncture is a holistic practice, which means that the practitioner considers all aspects of your life before devising a treatment plan. He looks at both your physical and mental states, as well as your environment (i.e. workplace, living space, hygiene, lifestyle, etc). 

In an holistic approach, all systems of the body are viewed and treated as interdependent in function. The practitioner gathers all the information necessary to identify any patterns of disharmony within the individual in order to accurately treat the actual root of the problem, not merely its presenting symptoms.

We live in an era when the incidence of degenerative disease is on the rise. Also, the fear of such illness is much greater than that of infectious disease. Medical practitioners agree that that early treatment and prevention are the best defences against degenerative disorders. Holistic medicine is well adapted to these tasks. A qualified practitioner will take the time to evaluate you completely, and guide you on the path to living to your full health potential.

In holistic medicine, we believe that recurring symptoms, even minor ones, are usually signals that imbalance is taking root in the body. Many people live with minor imbalances, such as slow digestion or fatigue, without ever examining the long term repercussions for the body. A holistic medical practitioner will decode these signals and help you understand their significance and how to deal with them before they become serious.

Even though the strength of acupuncture lies in disease prevention and the treatment of non-life-threatening disorders (fatigue, insomnia, P.M.S., slow digestion, etc.), it can also greatly help individuals suffering from serious illness. This it does, either by reducing pain, slowing degenerative processes, or simply by making the person feel better.

Acupuncture and Medication

Medication is often necessary in the management of a threatening illness, for example, to regulate serious cardiac or blood pressure irregularities.  The downside to medication is that it doesn’t necessarily contribute to the healing process. If you suffer from a serious illness that requires medication, you are not therefore excluded from having the best of both worlds. Acupuncture can help your body better manage the medication, and, in some cases, help you reduce the intake of medication (under the supervision of your medical doctor).

Qualifications

Until recently in the Western world there were not many creditable alternative therapies available to the general public. Since acupuncture has only enjoyed recognition in North America and Europe in the past few decades, under-qualified practitioners have sometimes gained a foothold. However, professional governing bodies have been established, so please take the time to look into what body oversees the practice of the profession in your area.  Put your health in the hands of a qualified health practitioner.

Sean Laflamme Ac. Sean Laflamme began his formal studies of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 1994 and his clinical experience in 1996 under the supervision of Sie Sheng Chang, his main internship director. Sean now has over a decade of clinical experience in treating a large variety of disease. Sean Laflamme: is a member of the Quebec Order of Acupuncturists: A-031-97 (l'Ordre des acupuncteurs du Québec); is a member of the Quebec Association of Acupuncturists (l’Association des Acupuncteurs du Quebec); has a college degree in acupuncture from Collège Rosemont, Montréal QC; collaborates with M.D’s, Osteopaths, Psychotherapists, Massage therapists and qigong practitioners; practices in both English and French. As an acupuncturist working in a multidisciplinary clinic, Sean has gained extensive experience in treating individuals suffering from stress related issues, notably fatigue, depression, insomnia, anxiety and more. His experience and collaborations in the world of martial arts have also allowed him to gain first hand experience in the treatment of a wide variety of injury and pain.  Qì Gōng  (氣功) / Martial Arts (功夫) Having always enjoyed sports and various fitness activities, Sean developed a keen interest when he came into contact with traditional Asian arts in 1991. At that date he began to integrate Asian health and fitness practices into his daily life. In 1994 Sean began studying Chinese Martial arts, notably gongfu（少林功夫), which included much body resistance training called nei gong (内功); After years of training in the external martial arts, Sean began shifting his focus toward the internal martial-arts, mainly Taiji（太级), since this Taoist art greatly encourages safe, harmonious movement that respects the natural flow of energy in the body. The Internal martial arts reflect many of the same principles used in Chinese Medicine. In 2005 Sean received teaching certification from Sam Slutsky in Lee Shiu Pak’s Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan system; Alongside all of Sean Laflamme's medical, taiji and gongfu training, he has studied and practiced qi gong principles and techniques to improve his abilities and understanding of the Chinese healing arts and Qi (energy). Since early 2006, Sean has dedicated his training to Qigong; In 2007, Sean completed an intensive Zhineng Qigong training in China. This trip complimented his previous Qigong experience, allowing him to see first hand established, reputable Zhineng Qigong centers. Practice was all held from morning to late evening, and the classes were made up of a wide variety of students of all ages and states of health. This Qigong intensive training was conducted at two well established schools that were headed by senior instructors of the original Zhineng Qigong Hospital in China. Sean went on this journey to deepen his understanding of qigong and improve his technique, but what he also returned with, was the desire to share his qigong knowledge and experience on a larger scale. Article: À la recherche du qiqong médical  (Article publié dans le le Point source, bulletin de l'Ordre des acupuncteurs, Octobre 2007 ) Sean is presently working on completing his Masters of Medical Qigong with the IIMQ (International Institute of Medical Qigong) located in Palm Desert, California. The certification programs offered by the IIMQ are based upon the curriculum that has been established at the Medical Qigong College at the Hai Dian University and used clinically at the Xi Yuan Medical Qigong Hospital in Beijing, China. Sean studies with Dr. Bernard Shannon for this process, executive director of the IIMQ. 2010, Inner Radiance Qigong instructor certification (developped and taught by Dr. Bernard Shannon)