Orthopedic pain is an issue for many Americans, and it comes in a number of different forms including knee, hip, shoulder, and other joint pain. According to many studies, acupuncture has been proven to be an effective tool to deal with orthopedic pain.

Chronic pain can be debilitating for those suffering from it and directly impacts quality of life. People often treat chronic pain with anti-inflammatory medications (both prescription and over-the-counter), physical therapy, or with ice and heat, but those options don’t always provide long lasting relief. According to Harvard Medical School, “acupuncture is an option with a good track record that’s worth considering.” 

Harvard cites a study originally published in the Archives of Internal Medicine that found acupuncture to be a valid and effective treatment for chronic pain conditions. “Research from an international team of experts adds to the evidence that it does provide real relief from common forms of pain. The team pooled the results of 29 studies involving nearly 18,000 participants. Some had acupuncture, some had ‘sham’ acupuncture, and some didn’t have acupuncture at all. Overall, acupuncture relieved pain by about 50%.”

There are many who find relief through acupuncture treatment for their orthopedic concerns, but it’s important to note that the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment varies for each individual depending on the severity of the condition.

Here are a few ways it can help:

Acupuncture is extremely effective at pain management by modulating pain signals and stimulating the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers. Following the gate control theory of pain, the needling process used can activate nerve fibers that inhibit pain signals,.

Acupuncture can reduce inflammation, improve blood flow, aid in muscle relaxation, improve joint and mobility function, address nerve compression, and reduce the stress that so often comes with orthopedic and chronic pain. 

What acupuncture does best is not to merely address the pain, but to treat the underlying cause of the pain. For example, acupuncture is often indicated to treat chronic pain conditions that radiate pain along a nerve pathway, pain causing muscle spasms, inflammation, scar tissue, and pain that is in multiple areas of the body. 

The number of acupuncture treatments required to properly address these health concerns varies according to the severity of the issue. In general terms, a chronic condition might require one to two weekly treatments for several months, while the sudden onset of pain can likely require a fewer number of visits. For others, I’ve found some patients who have experienced significant relief after just a single treatment.

Just a quick Google search of acupuncture and chronic pain studies provides ample reason to give this therapy serious consideration. One of the greatest benefits to receiving regular acupuncture treatments is that it doesn’t only relieve your current pain — having regular acupuncture sessions can reduce your overall occurrences of pain.

Regular acupuncture treatments go far beyond just pain management — you can strengthen your immune system, decrease stress, lower your blood pressure, and even improve your sleep.

If you struggle with chronic pain, acupuncture is a pharmaceutical-free, low-risk option that studies prove can offer long-term benefits for your overall health, not just your chronic pain.

After doing a proper health assessment, I’ll develop a plan to get you out of pain and back on track to a healthy and active lifestyle!

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According to the National Fibromyalgia Association, fibromyalgia is one of the most chronic pain conditions. They say, “the disorder affects an estimated 10 million people in the U.S. and an estimated 3%-6% of the world population. While it is most prevalent in women (75%-90% of people who have fibromyalgia are women), it also occurs in men and children of all ethnic groups.”

Acupuncture for the treatment of fibromyalgia has increased in popularity in recent years, especially as more research has demonstrated the benefits of acupuncture treatment. According to a 2013 study, one in five people with fibromyalgia seek acupuncture treatment within two years of the diagnosis.  

Fibromyalgia is notoriously difficult to treat and many who suffer from this disorder have difficulty tolerating the drugs and supplements commonly used. More and more people are turning to complementary and alternative treatment options to relive their symptoms and acupuncture has found its niche. 

There are several benefits to using acupuncture to treat fibromyalgia. Benefits include lowering pain levels, improving sleep, stimulating the immune system, relaxation, and generally better health through achieving a balance of energy throughout the body.  

A Cochrane research review actually found that another type of acupuncture treatment called EA or electroacupuncture appeared to be even more effective at treating fibromyalgia than traditional acupuncture. Electroacupuncture uses an electronic device to deliver a small current between pairs of needles. The research review found that EA improved patients’ pain, stiffness, sleep, fatigue, and overall wellbeing. 

A 2019 review found that, “acupuncture therapy is an effective and safe treatment for patients with fibromyalgia,” and that “this treatment can be recommended for the management of fibromyalgia.” The study concluded that, “acupuncture was more effective in the short and long term than conventional fibromyalgia medications and that no serious side effects were found.”

A 2018 trial suggested acupuncture was great at relieving the symptoms of fibromyalgia because it changes the levels of neurotransmitters critical to fibromyalgia. The first was serotonin, which impacts pain processing, the sleep cycle, alertness, appetite, mood, digestion and sex drive. All of which are believed to be low in those with fibromyalgia. The second was called “substance P” which is released when nerve cells detect painful stimuli which are typically elevated in those with fibromyalgia. 

Even the Mayo Clinic encourages those with fibromyalgia to try acupuncture. Dr. Brent A Bauer said that “fibromyalgia can be difficult to treat, and a combination of treatments may be necessary to control your symptoms. If you’re having trouble finding relief for your fibromyalgia pain, it may be worth trying acupuncture.” He also noted that “when performed by a trained practitioner, acupuncture has few risks.”

If you suffer from fibromyalgia and have found your symptoms to be overwhelming and detrimental to your quality of life, follow the research and give acupuncture a try. I will go over your detailed health history to determine the right course of treatment specifically designed to meet your needs. Don’t spend another day in pain and exhaustion. Reach out and make an appointment today.

The post Why You Should Choose Acupuncture to Treat Fibromyalgia appeared first on Tybee Acupuncture.

A Harris Poll released earlier this year found that approximately three out of ten U.S. adults currently suffer from chronic low back pain. To put it another way, that’s an estimated 72.3 million people! Common treatments usually include prescription medications which bring their own complications and side effects into the picture. If you are looking for a drug-free alternative to your back pain, acupuncture could be the solution you have been searching for. 

What the Research Says

According to the experts at WebMD, chronic low back pain is one of the conditions most touted by research suggesting acupuncture could be an effective treatment tool. WebMD also pointed to guidelines from the American Pain Society and the American College of Physicians who say “doctors should consider acupuncture as an alternative therapy for patients with chronic low back pain that’s not helped by conventional treatment.”

How It Works

If you have never experienced an acupuncture treatment, you might be wondering just how it works. First, I will take a detailed health history to determine the best course of treatment for your pain. I may also suggest dietary changes or supplements to help your condition as well. 

A typical treatment involves inserting thin needles at specific points on the body. Stimulating the various points (depending on your particular health concern and the severity of the pain) can correct any energy imbalances, thus relieving pain with little or no side effects. The medical experts at WebMD also believe that “acupuncture has fewer adverse side effects than many of the standard treatments for back pain.” 

Many people wonder how many treatments it will take to find relief. It all depends on the severity of the issue but typically six to twelve sessions are scheduled. Again, depending on the severity of the condition, sessions can be done once or twice a week and can last for 30 to 90 minutes. Less severe issues could require fewer treatments, but in severe cases, additional sessions may need to be scheduled to completely address the condition. 

Chronic back pain could be a sign that there are other issues and imbalances happening in your body. In addition to relief from your back pain, you may notice other positive side effects like improved digestion, better sleep, and less stress and anxiety. 

If you suffer from chronic back pain and are looking for a treatment option, call me and make an appointment today! 

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The National Institutes of Health estimates that approximately 25.3 million adults suffer from chronic pain (defined as experiencing pain every day for the preceding three months). They also estimate that nearly 40 million adults experience what is considered severe levels of pain.

Chronic pain can be debilitating for those suffering from it and directly impacts quality of life. People often treat chronic pain with anti-inflammatory medications (both prescription and over-the-counter), physical therapy, or with ice and heat, but those options don’t always provide long lasting relief. According to Harvard Medical School, “acupuncture is an option with a good track record that’s worth considering.” 

Harvard cites a study originally published in the Archives of Internal Medicine that found acupuncture to be a valid and effective treatment for chronic pain conditions. “Research from an international team of experts adds to the evidence that it does provide real relief from common forms of pain. The team pooled the results of 29 studies involving nearly 18,000 participants. Some had acupuncture, some had ‘scham’ acupuncture, and some didn’t have acupuncture at all. Overall, acupuncture relieved pain by about 50%.”

What acupuncture does best is not to merely address the pain, but to treat the underlying cause of the pain. For example, acupuncture is often indicated to treat chronic pain conditions that radiate pain along a nerve pathway, pain causing muscle spasms, inflammation, scar tissue, and pain that is located in multiple areas of the body. 

Many times, acupuncture is used as a supplement to other medical treatments or as an alternative for a standard pain treatment option. Many patients find the pain relief from acupuncture treatments to last from several hours to even weeks after treatment, depending on the severity of their condition. Scientific research has shown acupuncture to be effective—or more effective—than other treatment options for conditions like:

•         Migraine and tension headaches
•         Nausea (especially post-chemotherapy or following surgery)
•         Osteoarthritis (including in the knee)
•         TMJ
•         Neck Pain
•         Sciatica 

The number of acupuncture treatments required to properly address these health concerns varies according to the severity of the issue. In general terms, a chronic condition might require one to two weekly treatments for several months, while the sudden onset of pain can likely require a fewer number of visits. For others, significant relief is found after just a single treatment. 

Just a quick Google search of acupuncture and chronic pain studies provides ample reason to give this therapy serious consideration. One of the greatest benefits to receiving regular acupuncture treatments is that it doesn’t just relieve your current pain. Having regular acupuncture sessions can reduce your overall occurrences of pain.

When your acupuncturist carefully places those needles, it is going far beyond just pain management. Through regular acupuncture treatments, you can strengthen your immune system, decrease stress, lower your blood pressure and even improve your sleep.

If you struggle with chronic pain, acupuncture is a pharmaceutical free, low-risk option that studies prove can offer long-term benefits for your overall health, not just your chronic pain. Let your acupuncturist do a proper health assessment and develop a plan to get you out of pain and back on track to a healthy and active lifestyle. Make your appointment today!

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