Treating Pain with Acupuncture
A Holistic Approach to Pain Relief
Treating Pain With Acupuncture
Acupuncture is excellent for treating pain. Effective for both acute and chronic pain, acupuncture is used for relief of musculoskeletal and neurological pain; headaches, back, neck, shoulder, knee, and joint pain, abdominal and chest pain. Specific conditions such as sciatica, scoliosis, fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel, tendonitis, sprains, sports and traumatic injuries, TMJ, arthritis, herniated discs, numbness, tremors, neuralgia are conditions commonly treated with acupuncture, generally with positive results. Acupuncture is so effective for pain, when a patient does not respond to treatment, it can indicate a serious condition and they are encouraged to seek a western medical diagnosis. The degree to which a patient responds to treatment depends on the severity of the condition and the patient’s commitment to “staying the course.”
Correctly assessing the patients underlying pattern of imbalance is essential for the success of treatment. Acupuncture relieves pain by unblocking Qi or blood in the acupuncture channels, around joints or muscles, and in cases of degeneration of tissue such as degenerative disc disease in the lower back, acupuncture increases circulation of Qi and blood to the area so that the body can heal and promote the growth of healthy tissue.
Dr. Ryan uses acupuncture, massage, cupping, moxibustion, Chinese herbal prescriptions, nutritional supplements and myofacial trigger point therapy to treat most pain conditions.
Duration and Frequency of Treatment
The number of treatments required and frequency of visits depends on severity of the condition and whether acute or chronic. In acute cases the initial treatments occur as close together as possible; every day or every other day until there is significant relief, usually three to eight treatments, sometimes more. Occasionally, a patient can experience significant relief in as little as one treatment.
Long term, chronic condition such as arthritis require treatments once a week or less over a longer period of time, giving the tissue a chance to rebuild between treatments.
In cases of chest, stomach or abdominal pain; if the patients does not experience significant relief within three treatments they are encouraged to seek a western medical diagnosis.
