What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an ancient, minimally invasive therapeutic method in which your health professional inserts very fine, sterile needles in specific points in your body to stimulate healing. The specific points are referred to as “meridian points.” Although researchers aren’t 100% sure how acupuncture alleviates pain and promotes well-being, the needles seem to encourage your body to release endorphins and other natural chemicals that dull pain and stimulate healing.
What is acupuncture physical medicine (APM)?
Acupuncture physical medicine (APM) is an integrative style of acupuncture that uses myofascial trigger points in addition to meridians. APM is especially well-suited to treat chronic pain, chronic fatigue, and stress.
What conditions does an acupuncturist treat?
If you’re facing surgery, if you take medications to alleviate pain, or if you want to avoid surgery or drugs, your doctor may recommend acupuncture. The team at Spine Center and Orthopedic Rehabilitation of Englewood, PC, uses acupuncture and APM to alleviate:
- Lower and mid back pain
- Sciatica
- Pain from a slipped or herniated disc
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Headaches and migraines
- Neuropathy
- Arthritis pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Other pain conditions
If you do need surgery, acupuncture treatments help control post-surgical pain and may accelerate healing.
Does acupuncture hurt?
The expert acupuncturists at Spine Center and Orthopedic Rehabilitation of Englewood, PC only insert sterile, single-use stainless steel needles for acupuncture treatments. The needles are extremely thin, are inserted very quickly, and don’t penetrate deeply into the treatment area.
You may feel a slight pinch when your acupuncturist places a needle, but most of the time, the insertion is painless. If a treatment area is highly congested or tense, you may feel a short burst of pain or a sharp tingling sensation. Once inserted, your acupuncturist ensures that the needles are comfortable and either moves or removes them if they’re not.
What are the benefits of acupuncture?
Acupuncture helps your body dull pain sensations. You should feel a reduction in pain after just one treatment. You may need several treatments to get the degree of relief you seek.
In addition to controlling pain, acupuncture makes you feel relaxed and promotes a sense of well-being. Some benefits include:
- Better sleep
- Improved mood
- Greater mobility
If you’re already overly reliant on pain medications, your doctor may recommend acupuncture treatments so that you can gradually reduce or even stop taking painkillers.
Find out if pain-free, natural acupuncture treatments help relieve your pain by scheduling an appointment at Spine Center and Orthopedic Rehabilitation of Englewood, PC, today by phone or online form.
