I have been getting this question a lot recently, especially at my Ft. Morgan location. Patients want to know the difference between dry needling and acupuncture. So, I have created this chart to compare the two modalities. Acupuncturists, Doctors, Physical Therapists, did I overlook anything? Patients, what has been your experience, good or bad, with either modality?
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Battlefield Acupuncture was developed by Dr. Richard Niemtzow in 2001 for quick relief of pain. Dr. Niemtzow came up with the term Battlefield Acupuncture because it could be easily used on the military battlefield. The method involves the insertion of five needles into each ear in situations when narcotics could not be used.
This technique delivers significant pain reduction in just a few minutes. The amount of time a person experiences pain relief can be anywhere from a few hours to days or weeks. More complex pain patterns generally require more frequent treatments. For these cases, it is best to treat twice per week for one or two weeks. Battlefield Acupuncture works by changing the brain’s pain response via the hypothalamus, thalamus, cingulate gyrus, and cerebral cortex structures. I have successfully used this technique work for many different types of pain, such as fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain, residual pain from past injuries, digestive pains, and headaches. Call to see if Battlefield Acupuncture could help you get out of pain for good! The new year is well underway, so it’s time to get serious about any commitments you have made to improve yourself this year. How are you going to be healthier? In what ways will you be different this year?
Here are 15 specific ways acupuncture can help change your life in 2015: 1. Less stress. Acupuncture helps shift your brain from “fight-or-flight” to “rest-and-digest.” By mellowing the nervous system, acupuncture helps you feel better equipped to manage stressful times. 2. Less pain. Acupuncture’s ability to reduce pain goes far beyond the physical benefits, such as increased circulation and reducing inflammation. There is a strong emotional component to pain, especially chronic pain. Acupuncture effectively ameliorates pain by addressing both its root and the effects. 3. Stronger immune system. The acupuncture needles’ insertion builds up white blood cells to better prepare your body to fight off pathogens. Acupuncture strengthens the immune system to help you avoid illness, rather than dealing with it after it happens. 4. A more youthful appearance. Acupuncture strengthens five of your essential organ systems: kidneys, liver, heart, stomach and intestines, and lungs. When these systems are nourished and in balance, your body will look and feel younger. 5. Radiant skin. If your battle mainly has to do with dull, sagging, or acne prone skin, you might consider cosmetic acupuncture. Cosmetic acupuncture is a safe and effective way to reduce the signs of aging, improve skin tone and texture, and reduce the appearance of acne or scarring. 6. Better digestion. Acupuncture is excellent to help you digest foods and thoughts. Signs you are not digesting well include: bloating, constipation, heartburn, cravings, overeating, or overthinking. 7. Quality sleep. Insomnia is a common complaint seen by acupuncturists, and acupuncture is highly effective at resolving it. But even those who do not suffer with sleep problems report having more restful nights since beginning acupuncture. 8. Sustained energy. Though it’s common to feel blissfully relaxed during and after an acupuncture treatment, the after effect is usually increased energy. Many patients report having more energy for hours, or days, after a treatment. 9. Improved mental clarity. In addition to an increase in energy after a treatment, many people notice they are able to make decisions faster and with greater confidence. They feel more motivated to cross off lingering items on a to-do list. 10. Open mindedness. Acupuncture requires us to think about health in new ways because it challenges the traditional method of treating disease. It reminds us that there are multiple ways of seeing the world. 11. Increased self-awareness. Acupuncturists looks for patterns of disease, rather than a single cause and effect. This means that when one part is out of balance, it can affect your health in multiple ways. Acupuncture broadens your awareness of things that are potentially damaging to your physical or emotional health. 12. Remember the seasons. In acupuncture theory, humans are viewed as microcosms of their environment. In this fast paced society, it is easy to transition from season to season without much thought. Seasons factor significantly into our physical health, energy levels, sleep, and moods. Acupuncture can help you live harmoniously within the seasons. 13. More patience. Our on-the-go society and the technology we rely on perpetuates our need for instant gratification. This creates impatience. Since acupuncture rarely works overnight, it requires an investment of time and willingness to let go of an “I-want-it-now” mentality. 14. Embracing change. Conventional medicine thinks in absolutes and labels, i.e., sick or healthy, numbers too high or too low, happy or depressed. Acupuncture works in the gray area between these extremes and teaches us to reflect on the subtle changes happening within us. 15. Believe in yourself. An interesting concept to acupuncture is that your body already has what it needs to heal itself. Acupuncture neither subtracts nor adds but rearranges. It prompts the body to do what it knows, and it reminds us that we can be well. Happy 2015! Autumn is a time when nature rids itself of what is no longer needed. Leaves fall from the trees to compost and enrich the soil, ensuring that the upcoming spring will have the nutrients needed to flourish. It is also a time to harvest the abundance that grew during the summer to store up for the winter. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the season of autumn is a time to organize, work hard, and finish the projects you began in the spring and summer. This is because autumn is associated with the metal energy, governing the mind, organization, setting and protecting boundaries, and order. While the summer was spent in more external activities, the autumn is a time where we tend to be more introspective. It is a time to contemplate our lives and prepare for the winter season ahead. Emotionally, autumn is associated with grief and sadness. Therefore, it is important to let go of lingering negative emotions, which can impact health more strongly during this time. Physically, autumn corresponds to the lungs, skin, and large intestine. These organs are responsible for respiration, digestion, and elimination. Common imbalances manifest as frequent colds and sinus infections, shortness of breath, dryness, skin issues, and constipation. A beautiful aspect of traditional Chinese medicine is as a tool to live harmoniously with the seasons. To fully enjoy and benefit from the energy of autumn, consider a traditional Chinese medicine treatment. I recently attended the American Academy of Pain Management's Integrative Medicine Conference where I learned about many causes, and many ways to manage pain. Here are the basics of pain, and a simple way to manage it.
It may be interesting to know that pain and pleasure share many of the same pathways in the brain. They originate in the same area (nucleus accumbens) and they both stimulate areas involved in reward. These areas are responding to sensory input from the body (pain, etc), as well as the emotional reactions and thoughts generated by the experience. These responses are sent back to the nucleus accumbens, and a person either feels pleasure and happiness or pain and misery. The responses are communicated via chemicals that transmit signals from one neuron to the next, called neurotransmitters. The neurotransmitters that are released during a pleasurable activity directly counteract pain neurotransmitters, and vice versa. Whichever neurotransmitter dominates determines the experience. Therefore, pain and pleasure are not truly feelings, but rather values placed on sensations mingled with emotions and thoughts. They are variable states. At times, pain can obliterate pleasure. Still, we are capable of creating pleasure, and it is worthwhile to do so. The simplest way to pursue pleasure is to change the stimulus from the body to the brain by finding experiences that are both soothing and stimulating. Listening to music, tasting something flavorful, feeling a pleasing texture, smelling your favorite scent, laughing or making someone else laugh, practicing gratitude, or trying something new are all excellent ways to rewire your brain to pursue pleasure. Acupuncture and herbs can also shift your body into a less painful and stressed state to a more relaxed and pleasant one. It accomplishes this by releasing the pleasure neurotransmitters as well as natural pain killers. This promotes muscle relaxation, soothes the emotions, and quiets internal chatter. (Photo credit: freedigitalphotos.net) Acupuncture points have distinct tissue and anatomical properties, especially related to defense mechanisms. When stimulated with a needle, the skin and tissue effectively treat pain with immune and repairing processes.
After needling, the body reacts strongly to destroy the foreign pathogen (needle) by creating an immune response, increasing blood flow and defensive substances to the area. The increase in blood flow reduces muscular tension, improves circulation, and raises the brain’s awareness of that area. When the body realizes the acupuncture needle is harmless, it shuts off the defensive mode with natural pain killers and endocrine substances. They work to eliminate any inflammation in the area; whether caused by the needle or inflammation already present. Acupuncture helps the body heal itself by increasing blood flow to eliminate metabolic buildup and provide oxygen and nutrients to nourish cells, immune substances to protect the cells, and endocrine substances to reduce stress. Just as some physicians work in hospitals and others work in clinics, spas, or research, acupuncturists also work in a variety of settings. The following are the most common styles of practice.
Private Clinic: Acupuncturists work as a health care provider. Many times, herbal medicine and adjunct therapies are incorporated into the treatment plan for the patient. Some practitioners are able to specialize in specific conditions. Community Acupuncture: Acupuncturists treat patients in a group setting. These clinics generally provide a sliding scale, or lower rates than a private clinic. Their focus are simple treatments at high frequency. Detox Clinic: Acupuncturists work specifically to help patients with addiction issues. Integrative Medicine Clinic: Acupuncturists work as part of a team of medical professionals. They coordinate a variety of treatments that best fit the patient. Last week, we looked at the different types of training people who practice acupuncture receive. This week, we will look at the different applications and scope of the training received.
L.Ac.: A licensed acupuncturist is able to help with a broad range of health issues, including chronic disease, pain, internal medicine, rehabilitation, and prevention. Medical Acupuncturist: A medical acupuncturist has received enough training to help with basic ailments or pain. Training also includes knowing when to refer to a licensed acupuncturist or oriental medicine practitioner. Detox Acupuncturist: A person with training for detox acupuncture can help with addictions and pain. Trigger point dry needling: A person practicing dry needling is able to help with pain. If you have decided to receive acupuncture, understanding an acupuncturist’s credentials is an important next step. The following is a list of different types of acupuncturists based on training.
L.Ac.= An individual who has obtained a degree from an ACAOM accredited college and passed the national certification exams administered by the NCCAOM. Training consists of 2700-3500 hours averaging three to four years. Medical acupuncturist= Typically a physician, osteopath, naturopath, or chiropractor who use acupuncture as an adjunctive therapy. Training consists of a 100-300 hour course for certification. Detox acupuncturist= Limited to five points on the ear. Certification programs are 100 hours or less. Trigger point dry needling= This is a style of acupuncture used by physical therapists. Certification of physical therapists in trigger point dry needling is unclear at this time, with most physical therapists having as little as 25 hours of training. |
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Thoughts and practical tips to help you look and feel your best based in the wisdom of Chinese medicine.
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