pain relief.

Overview

So many of us have pain at some point in our lives. Most pain medications have side effects or are addictive, so acupuncture is now being recognized by the medical community as one of the top alternatives to opioids for pain management. Whether you want to get back to daily activity or you want to have better performance in your sport, we can help your body to feel its best.

Pain Relief

When most people think about acupuncture, they think of it for pain relief. Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese medicine can address many types of pain, from acute injury to chronic inflammation. Drug-free and safe, we use many techniques to get you feeling your best and living life with ease. Here are a few of the most commonly treated ailments:

  • Low back pain
  • Neck and Upper back pain
  • Shoulder Pain
  • Tennis/Golf elbow
  • Knee pain
  • Migraines
  • Sciatica
  • Much more!

If you have any questions, feel free to call our clinic and see how we can be of assistance to you.

Sports Acupuncture

Being able to be active and play is one of the joys of life.  Sports and physical activities are not only healthy, but they are a form of stress relief for many people.  Unfortunately, injuries and physical pain may prevent people from continuing the activities that they love or performing at high levels.  Traditionally, injuries are treated with medications, injections, surgeries, and physical therapy.  What is not commonly known is that acupuncture can treat injuries and enhance sports performance.

Sports acupuncture is a specialized field of acupuncture that combines Traditional Chinese Medicine concepts with a more modern understanding of body function and physiology.  It is a comprehensive approach to treating pain, sports injuries, work injuries, and postural imbalances, as well as promoting improved athletic performance and improving range of motion.

A commonly asked question is, “How can acupuncture increase sports performance?”.  It is common with high-level athletes and weekend warriors alike to develop trigger points in muscles.  When muscles are overworked or overloaded through explosive movements, weight training, or repetitive motions, the muscles develop trigger points.  Trigger points are the body’s way of protecting joints and muscles from damage.  They are like parking breaks put on the muscles to restrict range of motion by keeping the muscles constantly contracted.  When an activity continues to be performed with restricted range, it puts stress on the muscle and on the tendon that attaches the muscle to the joint.  Over time, inflammation occurs at the attachment sites and tendonitis commonly occurs.  Even in the absence of pain, trigger points limit the ability of a muscle to fully elongate and contract which reduces the speed and force that can be generated.  By unlocking trigger points, pain can be prevented and performance improves.

There are times when the trigger point technique is not required in orthopedic injuries.  This includes acute sprains, tendonitis, arthritis, and post-surgical rehabilitation.  In each of these conditions, inflammation is causing the pain or limited range of motion.  Acupuncture aids in reducing inflammation, increasing circulation and restoring homeostasis to the injured tissues.  Herbs, dietary changes, and improved sleep will also speed up this process.

Dry Needling VS. Acupuncture

Many people who have had physical therapy for orthopedic injuries have had dry needling. A common question is, “Is sports acupuncture the same as dry needling?”.  In my opinion, dry needling is a specific technique that was borrowed from acupuncture. Acupuncturists learn this technique as trigger point or motor point therapy. This was adopted by medical doctors, chiropractors, and physical therapist because in the hands of a skilled practitioner, it is very effective in releasing muscles that are in spasm, increasing blood flow to an injured site, and stimulating a healing response.

There are two main differences between acupuncture and dry needling.  The first is the amount of training that is involved in learning how to use an acupuncture needle.  Doctors, chiropractors, and physical therapists usually learn how to dry needle over the course of a long weekend.  Acupuncturists attend school for 4 years and have hundreds of hours of practice.  The second and main difference is that dry needling is limited to a local area and has a specific intention of releasing a tight muscle.  Acupuncture releases the tight muscle but also addresses other health aspects of the body that may contribute to the healing of an injury such as sleep, digestion, energy, and the emotional state.  A skilled acupuncturist uses the needles to support systems that will also aid in the speedy recovery of the body. We also integrate other facets of Chinese Medicine, such as topical herbal liniments, moxibustion, dietary recommendations, cupping and guasha.

Cold Laser Therapy

Cold laser therapy, also known as Low Level Light Therapy (LLLT) or Photobiomodulation (PBM) is the use of red and infra-red light that stimulates the healing of injured tissue. Many studies have demonstrated:

  • Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects for pain relief and tissue healing
  • Recent studies that have shown uses for increasing fertility.
  • Wound care

Book an Appointment

Call 908-719-1362 to book an appointment!

Stories of success

I originally came to the Acupuncture Center for back pain.  I now come to the Acupuncture Center for all of my health care needs.  Candace & Joanne have helped me with back pain, sinus problems caused by allergies, stress, shoulder pain, knee pain, hot flashes, headaches and facial rejuvenation.  I am 55 years old and have not felt this good in many years.  I rarely see a doctor or take medication since I have been coming to the Acupuncture Center.

I was in so much pain from interstitial cystitis flareups and did not want to go on long-term antidepressants or stronger medications. I found Candace, and through acupuncture and her knowledge of Chinese herbal medicine, I can now stop the flareups as soon as they begin.

I wanted to drop you a quick note to let you know how much better I am feeling. I have to be honest, even after I called you I was a bit skeptical if the medicine could help me. It actually took me a while to start taking the herbs. But I took them, religiously for about 4 days. I can honestly say I am feeling so much better. As I mentioned to you on the phone, I have been suffering from sinus pressure off and on (mostly on) since October.  This is the first time in a while where I don’t have the nagging pain of sinus pressure or the “pseudoephedrine hangover”.