ACUPUNCTURE FOR PAIN MANAGEMENT
Acupuncture has been successfully used to treat pain for thousands of years, and the Chinese medicine approach is an accepted healing practice that restores and maintains health in the absence of pain. In Chinese medicine, it is believed that the body’s energy, Qi, flows throughout several channels or meridians. When Qi is blocked or stagnated throughout one of these meridians, pain results. Acupuncture addresses pain by increasing the blood flow to stagnate areas, causing nutritionally rich proteins to effectively reduce inflammation, thus increasing range of motion and decreasing pain. By releasing and stimulating this stagnated Qi and blood, both are able to flow freely, resulting in diminished pain.
WHY SHOULD YOU CONSIDER ACUPUNCTURE?
It is NATURAL, it is SAFE, and it is EFFECTIVE. Acupuncture does not have any side effects, as opposed to conventional drug therapies. It is COST EFFECTIVE in that it corrects the underlying issue, rather than attempting to mask it.
Several studies have concluded that acupuncture is the most effective treatment for pain management when compared to drugs, surgery, etc. and should be the first therapy one seeks.
HOW SOON CAN IMPROVEMENTS BE SEEN?
Like all forms of therapy, it may require multiple sessions to achieve the desired results. The exact number of treatments required is unique to each individual and also dependent on whether you are open to other modalities (herbal therapy, cupping, moxibustion, Tui Na). Acute pain has the potential to be resolved in a single session (though it usually takes longer). Chronic pain takes much longer to resolve and it is important to have patience and trust that the art and science of acupuncture is promoting a level of healing within you that might not be apparent at the surface where the pain resides.
DO I STILL NEED TREATMENTS ONCE THE PAIN IS RESOLVED?
The absence of pain does not indicate a fully resolved condition. While reducing the symptoms is an initial priority, it is only the tip of the iceberg. The overall goal of treatment is to solve all of the underlying issues and imbalances within the body that caused the pain to originate in the first place. The healing process requires continued treatment even once the pain has subsided to guarantee that the issue is resolved and will not occur again.
TESTIMONIAL: HIP PAIN
For years I have had discomfort in my right hip. The discomfort gradually turned into disabling pain that caused me to limp. Walking had become exhausting and very painful. More than the pain, I worried about losing my job because I couldn’t walk. Several weeks ago I saw a doctor at an osteopathic center. After looking at my x-rays, she told me I qualified and needed a hip replacement right away. There was a conversation about being disabled. That term surprised and frightened me. I didn’t like the idea of surgery because of the endless difficulties and pain I’ve endured after ankle surgery many years ago. I have seen Dr. Zhang for a brief period of time for acupuncture treatments. My improvement has been incredible. When I first started, my mobility was severely limited. I couldn’t walk without a limp. I couldn’t walk very far, my stamina was gone, and the pain was so bad when I was in bed that it woke me up. Going up stairs was horrible. I would step up with my good leg and then bring up the other, then step up again with my good leg. Dr. Zhang’s acupuncture has really been a miracle. My level of pain is way less. I am more productive at my job and on days when we are very active I can hold my own and complete the tasks given me. If I limp, it’s very slight. My pain level is greatly reduced from the 8 or 9 to a 1 or 2 level. Although stairs remain a challenge, I can go up the stairs on two feet. I have taken our dog for walks for the first time in months. This last Saturday I had my first pain-free day in months and months. Thank you, Dr. Zhang. ~ Paula W.