Pain and Acupuncture

How does acupuncture effect pain?

Acupuncture works in a variety of ways to ease pain.  It releases endorphins which are our bodies’ natural painkilling chemicals.  Acupuncture also acts on serotonin levels and it has been shown that opioid peptides are released during acupuncture as well. Acupuncture also reduces inflammation and increases blood flow and circulation providing drug-free pain relief.

Does acupuncture help with chronic or acute pain?

Our medicine treats a wide variety of both acute and chronic issues. In acute cases, we can often help the pain subside completely, whereas in cases of chronic pain, acupuncture can be a very helpful tool to manage pain safely on a long-term basis with little to no side effects.

What are some examples of conditions treated with acupuncture?

Injury/trauma
Headache
Menstrual cramps
Lupus
Sciatica
Chronic Pain Syndrome
Arthritis
Carpal Tunnel
Cancer related pain
Post-surgery recovery

What kinds of modalities are used by acupuncturists to treat pain?

Massage–We use a variety of massage techniques to relieve tension, promote blood flow, and to open the channels.
Cupping–Suction cups are placed over affected areas to draw out stagnation and promote blood flow.
Electric stimulation–Small electrical current is delivered to selected acupuncture needles to promote blood circulation, decrease inflammation and alleviate pain.

Pain facts

Pain affects more Americans than diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined.
1 in every 4 Americans have suffered from pain lasting longer than 24 hours and millions more suffer from acute pain.
Pain is the most common reason Americans access the health care system.
It is a leading cause of disability and is a major contributor to health care costs.
Pain is a significant public health problem that costs 560-635 billion dollars annually.
Adults with lower back pain are 4 times as likely to experience serious psychological distress when compared to those with no lower back pain.

Iris Martin LAc.

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