FAQs
Answering Your Questions About Acupuncture
Acupuncture and the Human Body – Pain Relief
What can acupuncture treat? Read on to find out.
The human body is a wonderful, beautiful, and powerful machine, able to heal itself from many ailments, pathologies, and injuries. With most western medications for pain relief, doctors supply and give the body chemicals and endorphins to mitigate and/or alleviate the pain. When this happens, the body’s own glands (which supply powerful, naturally generated, and occurring pain-relieving endorphins and hormones) over time and excessive use become atrophied. This in turn causes the body to become dependent on the chemicals used to provide pain relief.
Acupuncture can be used to help alleviate pain by stimulating the body’s own powerful and natural pain relievers. It can also be used in cases of chronic pain to help the body alleviate pain as well. If the body is used to chemical pain relievers, acupuncture can be utilized to help with pain relief, wean off the chemicals, and boost the body’s own abilities to stop pain and in addition, help re-activate the atrophied glands and organs to allow itself the needed pain relief naturally.
Q. I suffer from chronic arthritic pain. My quality of life has diminished and I hurt all the time. Can you help?
A. Approximately 8 million Americans suffer from rheumatoid arthritis and 40 million from osteoarthritis. 86 million Americans have chronic pain that is not relieved by conventional medicine. One-third of all Americans are turning to alternative treatments every year. Today, many chronic pain clinics are encouraging patients to cope with pain, but without medication.There is a growing body of clinical evidence supporting the efficacy of acupuncture for pain relief. According to Bruce Pomeranz, a neurophysiologist, acupuncture stimulates the release of the body’s own natural painkillers, endorphins. This is an especially good option for people who cannot, or do not want to, take medication.
Q. I have had chronic low back pain for years and occasionally I get acute flare-ups at random times. Can you help?
A. Yes. 86 million Americans have chronic pain that is not relieved by conventional medicine. Back pain is the second most common reason that people visit their primary care physician. Today, many chronic pain clinics are encouraging patients to cope with pain, but without medication. There is a growing body of clinical evidence supporting the efficacy of acupuncture for pain relief. By using an MRI, which shows how the brain reacts to stimuli, researchers have proven that acupuncture is effective in relieving pain. This is an especially good option for people who cannot, or do not want to, take medication.
Q. I have very painful feet, which make it difficult to walk. Prolonged standing is impossible. Can you help?
A. Yes. Your feet and ankles must be strong and flexible in order to provide stable support and withstand the stress of repeated use. Overusing or traumatizing the ligaments, muscles or joints can result in pain. Foot pain can include bursitis, Achilles tendinitis, peripheral neuropathy, stress fractures, plantar fasciitis, and arthritis.There is a growing body of clinical evidence supporting the efficacy of acupuncture for pain relief. According to Dr. Bruce Pomeranz, a neurophysiologist, acupuncture stimulates the release of the body’s own natural painkillers, endorphins. Repeated acupuncture potentiates the endorphin system, giving better results after each sequential treatment. The sooner you come in after the initial onset, the quicker you see positive results.
Q. I have had recurring hip pain for the last six years. At times the pain is so bad that I cannot walk, yet it hurts to sit too. Can you help?
A. Hip pain may result from trauma or overuse. Most commonly the problem is osteoarthritis. However, it could be muscle strain, inflammation of the bursa, lumbar disk herniation, ankylosing spondylitis or rheumatoid arthritis that are creating the pain.About 86 million Americans have chronic pain that is not relieved by conventional medicine. There is a growing body of clinical evidence supporting the efficacy of acupuncture for pain relief. According to Dr. Bruce Pomeranz, a neurophysiologist, acupuncture stimulates the release of the body’s own natural painkillers, endorphins. Repeated acupuncture potentiates the endorphin system, giving better results after each sequential treatment. The sooner you come in after the initial onset, the quicker you see positive results.
Q. I have had constant knee pain for about 5 years. It feels unstable too. Can you help?
A. Yes. The knee is susceptible to injury because, as a hinge joint, it allows for flexibility, which unfortunately compromises its structural integrity. It depends on the surrounding ligaments and muscles for its strength and stability.About 86 million Americans have chronic pain that is not relieved by conventional medicine. There is a growing body of clinical evidence supporting the efficacy of acupuncture for pain relief. According to Dr. Bruce Pomeranz, a neurophysiologist, acupuncture stimulates the release of the body’s own natural painkillers, endorphins. Repeated acupuncture potentiates the endorphin system, giving better results after each sequential treatment. The sooner you come in after the initial onset, the quicker you see positive results.
Q. I suffer from a recurring, very painful, stiff neck and decreased mobility that will last for weeks. I have tried everything and nothing helps. Can you?
A. Yes. 86 million Americans have chronic pain that is not relieved by conventional medicine. Today, many chronic pain clinics are encouraging patients to cope with pain, but without medication. According to Dr. Bruce Pomeranz, there is a growing body of research that shows that acupuncture is ” very effective in treating chronic pain.” Acupuncture stimulates the peripheral nerves which send impulses to the brain to release endorphins, the body’s own natural painkillers. This is a very good option for people who cannot, or do not want to, take medication.
Q. I have been suffering from tension headaches for twenty years. I am tired of relying on medication. Also, my wife gets terrible migraines. Can acupuncture help?
A. Yes. It is well documented that acupuncture is a source of pain relief. Nearly 20% of Americans get headaches, which can be episodic or chronic. The conventional form of treatment is symptomatic relief through drug therapy, which can cause side effects or be addictive.
Headaches fall into three categories: tension, vascular and organically caused. Acupuncture is most beneficial for migraine or tension headaches. About 90% of all headaches fall into the tension group, most commonly caused by tension in the muscles of the neck and shoulder.
The acupuncturist identifies the affected muscle groups and then helps them relax by inserting whisper-thin needles into the appropriate points. At the beginning of treatment, relief may not last very long. After a few treatments (the number necessary varies), the headaches will come less often and be less intense. As the interlude between headaches gets longer, the time between treatments is lengthened. It is best to start acupuncture sessions without a headache, which is a preventative approach. Acupuncture in conjunction with massage can be especially effective.
Q. I have been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and surgery is being discussed as the next step. Are there other alternatives? My wife has osteoarthritis. Is there something to help her also?
A. Yes. Both of these conditions fall into the category of repetitive strain injury, a generic term encompassing many cumulative trauma disorders. Damage may occur to muscles, joints, nerves, tendons, tendon sheaths, and ligaments particularly in the hand, arm, neck, and shoulder. Other conditions resulting from repetitive strain injury are tenosynovitis, tendinitis of the shoulder or forearm, myofascial damage, cervical radiculopathy, epicondylitis, ganglion cysts, ulnar nerve disorder, thoracic outlet syndrome and fibromyalgia.
In a study of acupuncture treatment of CTS, a positive result was demonstrated in 35 of 36 patients, 14 of whom had been unsuccessfully treated with surgery. Another study indicated that the pain of osteoarthritis of the knee was significantly reduced by acupuncture, with improved flexibility and walking ability. Acupuncture stimulates the creation of beta-endorphins, which are the body’s natural pain killers.
Q. I have had recurrent shoulder pain for three years. At times it is very incapacitating. Can you help?
A. Yes. The shoulder’s surrounding tissues cope with mechanical stress and are prone to a variety of degenerative and/or traumatic problems. The most common symptoms are pain and restricted range of motion.There is a growing body of clinical evidence supporting the efficacy of acupuncture for pain relief. According to Dr. Bruce Pomeranz, a neurophysiologist, acupuncture stimulates the release of the body’s own natural painkillers, endorphins. Repeated acupuncture potentiates the endorphin system, giving better results after each sequential treatment. The sooner you come in after the initial onset, the quicker you see positive results. Today, acupuncture is being increasingly recommended by doctors at leading medical centers – and people are feeling relief.
Shoulder disorders include sprains, tears, arthritis, bursitis, tendinitis, or muscle inflammation. Acupuncture can also successfully treat sports injuries, elbow, back/muscle/disc, neck, wrist, hand, hip, knee, leg and foot pain.
Q. I am a middle-aged weekend warrior who ends up with muscle spasms in my back and other injuries after exercising. I also experience overall soreness and fatigue. Can acupuncture help?
A. Yes. Acupuncture is very beneficial for decreasing recovery time after a sports injury. Many professional and amateur athletes are turning to acupuncture to extend their careers or recover from injuries.
It is prudent to do regular low intensity training in between your power weekends. Performance athletes train at an 85% maximum heart rate, while your general training level should be at 80%. Low intensity training has a lower heart rate (less than 80% of your maximum heart rate). Exercising regularly at this level decreases the chances of injury on the days when you might do some high intensity training (80% or more of your maximum heart rate). Also, stretching prior to your workouts is essential.
Injuries can be of an insidious or acute onset, triggering edema and the inflammatory process, which creates pain. As soon as possible after your injury, see your acupuncturist. One early treatment can eliminate or substantially decrease acute pain. Acupuncture can diminish the pain and inflammation associated with muscle spasms, influence the tendons, ligaments and bones, increase endurance and coordination, relax the nervous system and boost the immune system. It is a beneficial option for keeping your body healthy or recovering from an injury.
Q. I am 50 years old and have successfully avoided surgery on my knees for several years but have now decided to go ahead with it. Can acupuncture help my recovery at all?
A. Yes. Acupuncture is an excellent supportive therapy for many kinds of surgery. It works to improve your body’s response to the trauma or injury incurred from the surgery. The direct benefits from acupuncture include reduced swelling and inflammation, plus improved and accelerated healing after surgery. In addition, acupuncture can boost your body’s immune system, reduce the negative effects of stress, support your body’s ability to utilize nutrients and promote the proper functioning of your organs.
Acupuncture treatments are given both before and after surgery. Normally we would provide 3 pre-surgical treatments and 3 post-surgical treatments. Acupuncture can also be used to heal and reduce the size of surgical scars (keloids). An improved response to surgical procedures is another benefit that occurs through an acupuncture treatment.
Acupuncture promotes your body’s ability to function in the way it was designed – whether in terms of decreased healing time, stress reduction or assuring optimal health to prevent possible future illness.
Q. I have been recently diagnosed with cancer and am undergoing chemotherapy, which causes incredible nausea. Is there anything that can help?
A. Yes. Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are the mainstays of cancer therapy, with biological response modifiers being added recently. Acupuncture can be very helpful for the nausea that occurs from chemotherapy and the fatigue that accompanies radiation treatment. Also, it is helpful pre- and post-surgery as it supports and boosts the immune system of the body, while reducing stress. It has been suggested that inexplicable cancer cures come from an overwhelming response by your own immune system.
It has been reported that mind-body approaches to cancer have no known adverse effects, and often improve your quality of life and can calm the mind. People who receive acupuncture say that it gives them a better overall feeling of internal health and well-being.
A responsible practitioner can help establish a beneficial acupuncture treatment protocol in conjunction with your oncologist. Choosing your treatment options and utilizing whatever helps you is important. Supplementing conventional cancer therapy with acupuncture, an approach that addresses you as a whole person, can encourage the ideal outcome.
Q. I was recently in an accident where my car was rear-ended. Since then I have had neck pain and can’t rotate my head as before. Can acupuncture help?
A. A whiplash injury is caused by a rapid flexion of the neck followed by rapid extension, or vice versa, causing tissue damage. Usually an acute sprain of the spinal ligaments occurs. Subsequently, you can experience pain that is worse with movement, stiffness and decreased range of motion.
Q. I use a computer a lot— almost every day and have pain in my wrists. Can you help?
A. Yes. Wrist and hand pain may arise as a result of inflammation of the muscles or tendons; trauma leading to sprained ligaments, dislocations, or fractures; or carpal tunnel syndrome. It can even radiate down the arm and into the hand from nerve impingement in the shoulder girdle.