Pain Management
Acupuncture is a practice that is a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that has gained popularity in Western culture and around the world. It involves the insertion of thin needles into the skin to stimulate nerves, muscles, and connective tissues throughout the body with the goal of alleviating pain, tension, and stress. More broadly, it is believed to stimulate the body’s meridians, or energy-carrying channels, to correct imbalances, and restore health.
When is the Best Time to Start?
When you get injured or have any symptoms of pain, it is best to receive treatment as soon as possible. The sooner you receive treatment, the faster you will heal and the less money and time you will spend on treatments. If you delay receiving treatments more scar tissue builds which can sometimes lead to surgery. If you choose to have surgery, acupuncture treatments can help speed up the healing process by increasing qi and blood flow to the area and reducing scar tissue. Treatments can start as early as three days after surgery.
Chronic Pain
at Eastern Medicine Center, we have treated thousands of patients who suffer from chronic pain to improve their quality of life.
Chronic Pain can Include:
-Headache
-Neck, Shoulder & Low Back Pain
-Cancer Pain
-Arthritis Pain
-Nerve Pain
-Fibromyalgia
-Psychogenic Pain
Complications of Chronic Pain can Include:
-Decreased Quality of Life
-Depression
-Anxiety
-Insomnia
-Fatigue
-Mood Swings
-Substance Abuse Disorders
-Worsening of Existing Chronic Disease
-An Increased Risk of Suicidal Ideation and/or Suicide
How Many Treatments do I Need?
Treatments vary based on many things, but after having seen thousands of people for the past 10 years, I can predict the lengths of treatment for several common problems. Below are some examples of the number of treatments required for an acute condition:
- Tennis elbow: 2-4 treatments
- Sciatic nerve pain: 3-5 treatments
- Knee pain: 2-5 treatments
These are the average treatments for patients that received treatment within three months prior to the onset of pain. If pain has been present for more than a year or you have had an injection in the area to decrease inflammation, it will take longer to treat. In addition patients that have had minor surgery will also have a longer treatment plan due to the additional stagnation to the affected area. In these instances 10 or more treatments are usually needed.
Can a healthy lifestyle help with chronic pain?
Diet:
Eating a healthy, anti-inflammatory diet is key to managing pain. Try to reduce or eliminate foods that cause inflammation, like red meat and refined carbs.
Exercise:
Exercise is a great stress reliever and can play a big role in managing chronic pain. Incorporating low-intensity activities like walking or light swimming for just 30 minutes a day can make a significant difference in reducing pain. Sol Nutrition’s Pain Guard herbal supplement can also help reduce inflammation and support your body’s healing process.
Reduce Stress:
Chronic pain and stress are closely linked. Acupuncture is commonly used by Eastern Medicine practitioners to relieve stress.
Sleep:
Quality sleep is essential for pain management. If you struggle to get restful sleep, Sol Nutrition’s Sleep Deeply supplement provides a natural solution, promoting better sleep without melatonin.