PAIN MANAGEMENT
Acupuncture has been used for pain management in Asian countries for thousands of years. In 2003, the World Health Organization published a report based on 255 controlled clinical trials where it was concluded that acupuncture is an effective treatment for pain management. In an analysis of studies in the Archives of Internal Medicine, researchers concluded that acupuncture has a definite effect in reducing pain with an average of a 50% reduction compared to a 28% reduction for standard pain management treatment without acupuncture. On February 13, 2017, the American College of Physicians released new evidence-based clinical practice guidelines recommending acupuncture as first-line therapy for back pain.
Any form of pain, from sports injuries, musculoskeletal pain, tension headache, migraines to menstrual cramps, can improve with acupuncture.
MIGRAINES/HEADACHES
No matter if your migraines started as a child, are associated with the menstrual cycle, are due to menopause or have no distinct pattern at all, acupuncture can be very effective in relieving the headaches during an episode and preventing the onset of the next episode. Acupuncture is an effective treatment for tension headaches, sinus headaches and headaches that are caused by head injuries, concussion or arthritis of the cervical spine.
BACK PAIN
The American College of Physicians released new evidence-based clinical practice guidelines formally recommending acupuncture as a first-line therapy for back pain. Acupuncture is an effective treatment for acute sprains to long-term chronic back pain caused by lumbar spine disc herniation, bulging discs, arthritis, spinal stenosis and other degenerative changes of the lumbar spine. Acupuncture is an effective, safe and natural way to treat pain and prevent recurrence.
NECK AND SHOULDER PAIN
Neck and shoulder pain can be a result of muscle spasms in these regions. The most common causes are stress and inflammation in the cervical spine, including arthritis in the neck, neck injuries, degenerative changes of cervical spine or postsurgical neck pain. Our patients find that acupuncture is the most effective way to relieve muscle spasms and pain.
JOINT PAIN
Pain in the shoulder, knee, hip, ankle and wrist as well as pain in any other joints caused by arthritis or injuries can be effectively treated with acupuncture, which has been shown to reduce inflammation, improve circulation and promote healing.
ARTHRITIS
Acupuncture has been shown as an effective treatment for both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Research has demonstrated that acupuncture can stimulate natural steroid and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory productions from our own body to reduce inflammation in the joints. There is also evidence that acupuncture can regulate the immune system, which can aid in the management of rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.
SPORTS INJURIES
Acupuncture is very effective for treating sprains and strains of the joints or any other kind of soft-tissue injuries; also, acupuncture can be used to speed up bone fracture healing. Rapid healing is crucial for an athlete with an injury. Adding acupuncture to your treatment plan can decrease recovery time, getting you back in the game faster. Acupuncture can also be used to strengthen and prevent repeat injuries when patients are asymptomatic. Many professional sports teams and performing artists keep an acupuncturist on staff to treat injuries linked to a variety of different activities, such as football, basketball, baseball and even ballet.
NERVE DAMAGE
Neuropathies can result from traumatic injury, viral or bacterial infections, nutritional deficiencies, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, cancer treatments or pharmaceutical drugs. Treatment for nerve damage should include addressing the underlying cause with your primary care physician, if possible. Acupuncture is an effective treatment for neuropathies, and it is recommended that patients with neuropathies should include acupuncture in their treatment plan. Acupuncture can help regenerate nerves and can be an effective adjunctive therapy or standalone treatment if no other intervention is needed.