A famous Chinese saying “Bu tong ze tong, tong ze bu tong” means “free flow, no pain; no free flow, pain” and is the principle of the ancient, time-proven practice of acupuncture. Acupuncture restores the normal flow of Qi or “life force” when it is blocked by illness or injury.
No matter what the cause or where your pain is, acupuncture can be a safe, effective and relatively inexpensive treatment. Acupuncture – the stimulation with thin needles of specific points along the skin of the body – can help you avoid the unwanted side effects of many pain medications and heal faster by increasing circulation and attracting white blood cells to the injured area.
Acupuncture’s effectiveness in pain management is widely acknowledged by mainstream medicine. MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging) of the brain before and after acupuncture treatments reveal up to 70% reduction in brain activity in specific areas; researchers believe this is the basis for acupuncture’s effectiveness. Other studies show that pain relief provided by acupuncture can last several months.
One of the most common problems our patients come to us with is back pain caused by minor strains, serious accidents, herniated discs, or even sciatica. (75 to 90% of people have experienced low back pain at some time in their lives – it is the second greatest cause of missed work days!) With acupuncture and herbal medicine, even acute or chronic back pain can disappear in a few sessions…although more serious conditions may require more treatments. Our patients report being more active, sleeping better, and taking fewer over the counter medications after treatment.
Relief of back pain through acupuncture is not just anecdotal. In a German study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, more than 1,000 adults with chronic, lower back pain were divided into groups treated with either pharmaceutical and exercise therapy or with acupuncture. Almost twice as many in the acupuncture group experienced relief and improved ability to function as did those with the conventional treatment. In another study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers from the University of Maryland School of Medicine analyzed 33 studies involving more than 2,000 patients with lower back pain from around the world and found that acupuncture provided definite short-term relief.
Acupuncture is widely recommended for managing post-surgical pain, loss of appetite, and upset stomach or nausea. Besides enhancing the immune system and energy levels, acupuncture also contributes to a quick recovery by reducing swelling, decreasing stiffness, and reducing scarring.
In a study presented at the annual scientific conference of the American Society for Anesthesiology in 2007 based on data from fifteen randomized clinical trials, researchers at Duke University Medical Center demonstrated acupuncture’s effectiveness in significantly reducing post-operative pain as well as the need for powerful pain killers…especially when the treatment was used both before and after surgery. Moreover, when painkillers were used, acupuncture lessened their negative side effects. Acupuncture has also been proven beneficial in reducing post-operative vomiting, dizziness, itchiness, and urinary retention.
If you or a loved one are experiencing pain – even if it’s acute or chronic – or anticipating surgery, my associates and I can provide a safe, effective, and relatively inexpensive treatment tailored to your needs.
Please call Coral Gables Acupuncture at 305.446.3009, or use the form to the right to schedule an initial consultation with me or one of my associates. Our office is easily accessible from anywhere in Miami-Dade County, with patients coming from Wynwood, Downtown, Coral Gables, South Miami, Cocoplum, Pinecrest, Key Biscayne and Brickell.
