Tics & Tourette Syndrome
Acupuncture for Tics & Tourette Syndrome in North Vancouver
Tics can come and go, get worse with stress or tiredness, and affect confidence and daily life. AcuLife Wellness offers gentle acupuncture as complementary support for tics and Tourette syndrome, alongside care from your physician.
Overview
Tics are sudden, repeated movements or sounds that are hard to control. Motor tics include blinking, facial grimacing, head jerking or shoulder shrugging; vocal tics include throat clearing, sniffing, grunting or coughing. Tourette syndrome is diagnosed when someone has had several motor tics and at least one vocal tic for more than a year, starting in childhood. Tics often come and go over time, and many improve by adulthood.
Stress, excitement, tiredness and illness can make tics worse, and conditions such as ADHD, anxiety or OCD often come with them. Behavioural therapy and, for some people, medication are the main medical treatments. At AcuLife Wellness, we start by learning about the tics, what makes them better or worse and other care before recommending an approach.
Common Symptoms & Experiences
- Repeated blinking, grimacing, or head or shoulder movements
- Throat clearing, sniffing, grunting or other sounds
- An urge or uncomfortable feeling just before a tic
- Tics that get worse with stress, excitement or tiredness
- Embarrassment, anxiety or poor sleep linked to tics
How Acupuncture May Be Used
Acupuncture for tics is gentle and usually uses a small number of points on the scalp, hands and feet chosen for the person's pattern. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, tics are often described in terms of internal "wind" involving the liver and spleen, so treatment also considers sleep, digestion, stress and diet. For children, treatment is adapted to their comfort, and non-needle options such as acupressure may be used.
Research on acupuncture for tics and Tourette syndrome is limited, mostly from small studies. Acupuncture is complementary care alongside behavioural therapy, medical care and support at school or work.
AcuLife's Approach
Hong Ji, R.TCM.P., is a registered TCM practitioner in both Canada and China with 35 years of clinical experience. She takes a whole-body view, so the plan considers sleep, stress, digestion and daily routine as well as the tics themselves.
Learn more about Hong JiWhat to Expect
The first visit includes a conversation about when the tics started, how they change, possible triggers, and any diagnosis or treatment so far, followed by an individualized assessment and treatment. For a child, a parent or guardian gives consent and stays with them throughout. How often to come in is discussed and adjusted over time.
Stress and anxiety often make tics worse. See our emotional well-being page for more.
When to Seek Medical Care
See a physician for new tics, especially if they start suddenly, are severe, cause pain or injury, or come with other changes in behaviour, school, sleep or mood. Seek urgent care for sudden jerking movements with fever, confusion or loss of consciousness. If you or your child has thoughts of self-harm, call or text 9-8-8 (the Suicide Crisis Helpline) or call 911.
Frequently Asked Questions
Looking for Tic Support in North Vancouver?
Book an appointment with AcuLife Wellness.