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!
“Are you an active older adult, retired or semi-retired, and struggling with chronic pain?
Do any of these scenarios resonate with you?
• You have more time and freedom, yet persistent aches and pains hinder your ability to enjoy your favorite activities.
• The pain causes physical discomfort and impacts your mood and relationships.
• Pain interferes with your daily exercise routine.
• You feel exhausted due to poor sleep caused by constant pain.
• You have become overly reliant on pain medications and are seeking an alternative solution.
• You have heard that acupuncture helps with pain relief and are curious if it could work for you.
If so, you are in the right place! I specialize in orthopedics and pain management, focusing on helping active older adults maintain their health. With extensive clinical experience, I have seen the profound and lasting relief that acupuncture and other Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) modalities can provide.”
The Benefits of Acupuncture in Pain Management
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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.
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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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Testimonials
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"I was new to acupuncture when I met Elizabeth three years ago. She introduced me to it and she is absolutely amazing. I'm a very active middle-aged athlete. So I deal with several different issues, and she took care of them all. If you've never tried it you have to! I also started facial acupuncture about a year ago and it has made a huge difference in my face, plumping muscles, lifting cheeks.... an amazing alternative to Western medicine. Elizabeth’s laid-back personality makes acupuncture a pleasure."
~ Jayne P.
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Dr. Howe is a genuinely exceptional acupuncturist who exemplifies the highest standards of care and professionalism. From the moment you step into her office, you're greeted with a warm, welcoming atmosphere that instantly puts you at ease. What sets Dr. Howe apart is her unwavering dedication to each of her patient's well-being. She takes the time to carefully evaluate your unique concerns, listening intently to understand the full scope of your issues. Based on this thorough assessment, Dr. Howe then crafts a personalized treatment plan tailored specifically to your needs. Her expertise, personalized care, and genuine concern for her patients' well-being make her a true standout in the area. I would highly recommend Dr. Howe to anyone seeking exceptional acupuncture treatment.
~ Mike N.
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"I've been a patient of Elizabeth for almost 5 years and can't recommend her highly enough. I'm almost 80 years old and had seen various chiropractors for persistent neck pain for many, many years, but the chiropractic treatments were only palliative. The neck pain always returned, requiring repetitive, almost monthly, adjustments. Elizabeth addressed my neck pain through acupuncture and I've been largely pain free for almost 5 years. In addition, Elizabeth has successfully treated various other pains and ailments, including hip/lower back and glute pain through acupuncture and e-stimulation. Again, I can't recommend Elizabeth highly enough."
~ Jay E.