Acupuncture For Pain Relief

Millions of people suffer from painful conditions that affect their quality of life. Acupuncture is scientifically proven to treat pain by reducing inflammation and increasing the body’s natural painkillers.

Acupuncture is an incredibly effective treatment for musculoskeletal pain and joint pain. Many patients with neck and shoulder pain, lower back pain, hip pain, and other pain conditions have been treated successfully at Red Bird Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. If you have been living with chronic pain, make an appointment today to see if acupuncture can get you back to doing your favorite activities faster and pain-free!

The Benefits of Acupuncture in Pain Management

The Benefits of Acupuncture in Pain Management

1. Chronic Pain Relief

Acupuncture is a highly effective therapy for treating chronic pain conditions such as osteoarthritis, neck pain, lower back pain, and migraine headaches. Studies have shown that it performs as well as, if not better than, conventional treatments. The benefits of acupuncture include reduced pain intensity and frequency, improved physical function, and decreased use of pain medications. Acupuncture is a safe and minimally invasive treatment that involves the insertion of very thin needles into specific points on the body. Acupuncture needles are so thin that up to 40 acupuncture needles can fit inside of one hypodermic needle.

2. Prolo-Acupuncture for the Treatment of Joint, Ligament, and Tendon Dysfunction

Prolo-acupuncture is an advanced acupuncture technique that can be used to treat joint dysfunction, as well as issues with ligaments and tendons that may be contributing to chronic or acute pain. This technique involves administering acupuncture needles directly into the joint capsule or connective tissue (i.e., ligaments and tendons) to cause mirco-injuries to the diseased tissue. This process creates a mild inflammatory response, which triggers the body’s natural healing mechanism for tissue repair and can help to restore joint function and integrity. Prolo-acupuncture has a two-way treatment application on ligaments and tendons. This specialized acupuncture procedure strengthens lax tendons and ligaments that have been overused or directly traumatized, which lead to hyper-mobility and repetitive injuries. On the other hand, tight tendons and ligaments restrict range of motion, and prolo-acupuncture can help restore their function, which can increase range of motion. As a result, pain relief can be achieved with restored function of the joint and connective tissue.

Elizabeth is fully trained in prolo-acupuncture and has successfully treated many patients with chronic pain conditions, allowing them to more quickly return to doing their favorite activities.

What to expect in a Prolo-acupuncture treatment: 

1. We start with a full intake of the history of the painful condition including the impact on your lifestyle and daily activities. This is followed with a comprehensive orthopedic exam.

2. The area to be treated is thoroughly cleaned with a skin cleanser. Thin, sterile, single-use acupuncture needles are then administered to the damaged tissue. Depending on the treatment needed for the injury, the needles are left in place for 20-30 minutes. Lax ligaments and tendons sometimes respond right away without having to leave the needles in after insertion.

3. Electrical stimulation (e-stim) might also be applied to the needles depending on the treatment protocol. E-stim further aids in promoting circulation, reducing inflammation and increasing cellular energy to speed recovery.

4. If the physical exam uncovers tight, knotted, musculature, cupping, gua sha or trigger point needling - also known as "dry needling" may also be administered during the course of treatment.

5. Follow-up acupuncture treatments are recommended to obtain optimal pain relief and tissue restoration. Elizabeth will advise you on a treatment protocol that meets your needs and goals.

3. Recovery from Post-Operative Pain

Managing pain after surgery is a crucial part of patient care. Acupuncture can help accelerate recovery by stimulating the body's natural pain-relieving compounds, which include endorphins and enkephalins. It can decrease the requirement for potent painkillers and their adverse effects, such as drowsiness, constipation, or addiction.

4. Reduced Reliance on Pain Medications

Medications are effective in relieving pain temporarily, but they often result in side-effects on organs and the central nervous system, and can also lead to dependency. Acupuncture, on the other hand, addresses the root cause of pain and can help to reduce or even eliminate the reliance on some medications.

5. Holistic Approach

Acupuncture is gaining more recognition for its role in pain management as we move towards more holistic and integrated health practices. This ancient healing practice offers a natural, minimally invasive, and effective way of managing pain. It is a valuable tool for modern healthcare, as it not only provides relief but also restores balance to our mind and body. If you are struggling with pain, you can get in touch with Elizabeth Howe at Red Bird Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine to discover how she can assist you.