Pain Management

Acupuncture for Arthritis (Osteoarthritis / Rheumatoid Arthritis / Gouty Arthritis)

Arthritis is a group of conditions involving damage to the various joints of the body. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in people older than fifty-five years.

There are different forms of arthritis; each has a different cause. The most common form of arthritis-- Osteoarthritis is a degeneration of the bone and cartilage of the joints. Other arthritis forms are Rheumatoid Arthritis (autoimmune diseases) in which the body attacks itself. Gouty Arthritis which results in inflammation is caused by the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joint. There is also an uncommon form of gout caused by the formation of rhomboid crystals of calcium pyrophosphate. This gout is known as Pseudogout.

How does acupuncture work for Arthritis?

NCCAM (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine) and NIAMS (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) indicated that acupuncture is an effective complement to conventional Arthritis treatment and can be successfully employed as part of a multidisciplinary approach to treating the symptoms of arthritis. Acupuncture improves immune functions and blood flow to the joints to speed healing and to "wash out" inflammatory proteins. Acupuncture provides pain relief, improves brain-based pain tolerance.

Acupuncture for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Fatigue

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a disease affecting millions of Americans. The cause of CFS remains unknown and is possibly the result of multiple causes. CFS is characterized by prolonged fatigue accompanied by a combination of symptoms - musculoskeletal pain, cognitive impairment, headaches, and sleep disturbances.

How does acupuncture work for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ Fatigue?

Acupuncture can effectively treat the various symptoms /disease associated with Fatigue. It can reduce stress level, strengthen immune system, enhance vital energy, and increase blood/lymph circulation.

Acupuncture for Tendinitis

Tendinitis meaning inflammation of a tendon is a type of tendinopathy . Generally tendinitis is referred to by the body part involved, such as Achilles Tendinitis (affecting the achilles tendon), or Patellar Tendinitis (jumper's knee, affecting the patellar tendon), or Elbow Tendinitis, Wrist Tendinitis, Shoulder Tendinitis, Hand Tendinitis, Ankle Tendinitis etc.

How does acupuncture work for Tendinitis?

Acupuncture improves blood flow, which in turn speeds healing. It stimulates immune cells that repair and heal the area of inflammation. The increase in blood flow improves the delivery of nutrients to the area. Finally, acupuncture can stimulate lymphatic flow as well. This helps reduce swelling and can remove the chemicals that cause inflammation.

Acupuncture for Sciatica (Bulging/Herniated Disk/Spinal Stenosis)

Acupuncture & Chinese Medical Center has developed a special acupuncture technique that helps patients with Sciatica successfully.

Several different lumbar spine (low back) disorders can cause sciatica, the most common reason are: a Bulging or Herniated Disk, Lumbar Spinal Stenosis. Sciatica is often described as mild to intense pain in the left or right leg, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the legs. Sciatica is caused by compression of one or more of the five sets of nerve roots in the lower back.

How does acupuncture work for Sciatica?

Acupuncture increases blood flow to the Bulging/Hernia Disk or Lumbar Spinal Stenosis area and helps reduce inflammation at that site, this allows more room for the nerve root to exit the spinal column without being pinched. Repair is done by immune system--acupuncture balances the immune system and decreases healing time.

Acupuncture for Tear Rotator Cuff

The rotator cuff is comprised of the muscles and tendons that surround the top of the upper arm bone. They hold it in the shoulder joint. A sudden tear may result from a single traumatic event or a series of gradual, repetitive overhead activities. A partial tear may cause pain when the arm is lifted in a certain arc away from the body (painful arc syndrome); and a complete tear may limit the ability to raise the arm.

How does acupuncture work for Tear Rotator Cuff?

Acupuncture increases blood flow to the rotator cuff torn area, helps reduce inflammation at that site, and stimulates the body's natural healing abilities to promote the recovery of the damage, injury of the tissue( tendons, ligaments, muscle etc.). Repair is done by immune system--acupuncture balances the immune system and decreases healing times.

Acupuncture for Trigeminal Neuralgia/Facial Pain

Trigeminal Neuralgia is sudden episodes of facial pain caused by nerve activities. Pain may be triggered by touch, movement, eating, or even air-drafts, which increase discomfort for those who suffer Trigeminal neuralgia.

How does acupuncture work for Trigeminal Neuralgia/Facial Pain

Acupuncture is effective in treating this condition by promoting and inducing energy and blood circulation to the affected area. By improving the circulation, the nerve tissues of the affected area can be nourished to repair the nerve functions and reduce or eliminate the pain. Chinese herbs may be combined with acupuncture to enhance the desired achievement.

Acupuncture for Cancer

Acupuncture has advantages to help with cancer symptoms. With traditional cancer treatment which causes numerous and aggressive unwanted side effects which can be relief by acupuncture.

How does acupuncture work for Cancer?

Acupuncture improves immune function--these are the cells that ultimately destroy cancer cells. Acupuncture decreases stress response (both emotional & physical), this allows the body to work more efficiently and improve quality of life. Acupuncture strengthens liver function--this help lower the overall toxicity level. Acupuncture can also serve as an adjunct to other cancer treatment, reducing various kinds of side effects from chemotherapy, radiation, and biological therapy and significantly increase white blood cell count to help cancer patients to complete the course of chemo or radio therapy, as well as improving pain, lessening nausea, dry eye and dry mouth, improving energy & vitality.

Acupuncture for Lyme Disease

Acupuncture & Chinese Medical has developed a special acupuncture technique that helps patients with Lyme Disease. Lyme Disease can cause abnormalities in the skin, the joints, the heart, and the nervous system. Most patients are often also suffering from generalized fatigue, muscle and joint stiffness/pain, swollen glands, and headache.

How does acupuncture work for Lyme Disease?

Acupuncture can help Lyme Disease in 3 different ways: Immune function--acupuncture can improve the functions of the immune system to fight the bacteria that cause Lyme Disease. Pain--acupuncture has a direct pain relieving effect on the joint and muscle pain associated with Lyme Disease. Hormonal--most people with Lyme also have adrenal insufficiency; acupuncture can help this by balancing/tonifying adrenal function.

Acupuncture for Peripheral Neuropathy

General systems of Peripheral Neuropathy reveal weakness, numbness, paresthesia (abnormal sensation such as burning, tickling, pricking, or tingling) and pain in arms, hands, legs, and /or feet.

How does acupuncture work for Peripheral Neuropathy?

Acupuncture is effective in treating this condition by promoting and inducing the energy and blood circulation to the extremities. By improving the circulation, the nerve tissues of the affected area can be nourished to repair the nerve functions and reduce pain. Herbal therapy may be combined with acupuncture to achieve faster results.

Acupuncture for Migraines

Migraine is a chronic disorder that causes recurrent moderate to severe headaches, associated symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and physical activity aggravates the pain. Migraines can be caused by a variety of physical and environmental factors, such as stress, menstruation, weather, and allergens.

How does acupuncture work for Migraines?

Acupuncture treatment is effective for migraines. Acupuncture regulates the over contraction and dilation of blood vessels, removes stagnant energy and blood stasis, also harmonizes the autonomic nervous system to decrease the migraine headaches, muscle tension in the neck and upper back, emotional stress which triggers migraines and other associated symptoms. Studies demonstrated acupuncture not only reduces the severity and frequency of migraines, but also may prevent and treat the root causes of migraines headaches

Acupuncture for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome usually feel burning, tingling, numbness, pain or weakness in the hand and wrist or arm. Some patients might have difficult to form a fist. A Comprehensive Text by Shanghai College of Traditional Chinese Medicine demonstrated: Acupuncture is extremely effective at treating carpal tunnel syndrome; eliminating the need for surgery or the use of anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroids.

How does acupuncture work for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Acupuncture increases blood flow and energy to the involved area to nourish the damaged tissues and balance immune system to enhance the joints functioning, and strengthen grip strength; reduce inflammation, swelling and pain. Acupuncture also can take into account any underlying conditions that contribute to the development of carpal tunnel syndrome including obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid problems, diabetes, hormonal changes of pregnancy and menopause. As well as accompany conditions include headaches, neck pain, shoulder stiffness and sleeping problems.

Acupuncture for Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a medically unexplained syndrome which symptoms include long-term body-wide pain and tenderness in the joints, tendons and muscles. Other symptoms commonly occur together include but not limited to: chronic pain, debilitating fatigue, insomnia, anxiety and depression, inability to concentrate, IBS, painful menstrual cramps, and poor circulation in the hands and feet.

How does acupuncture work for Fibromyalgia?

Acupuncture has shown to be very effective for fibromyalgia. Studies show that acupuncture can help lessen pain by altering brain chemistry to change the release of neurotransmitters to stimulate or inhibit nerve impulses in the brain that relay sensations such as pain. Acupuncture also improves blood flow and immune function, and helps adrenal insufficiency (usually a problem for people with fibromyalgia). Therefore it not only works on the cause of the problem but also all the accompanied symptoms.

Acupuncture for Back Pain

Millions of people suffer with low back pain, the pain that usually starts from the muscles, nerves, bones, joints or other structures in the spine which the pain may radiate to the legs or feet and arms or hands, the accompanied symptoms might include numbness, tingling, and weakness.

How does acupuncture work for Back Pain

Researchers from University of Maryland School of Medicine and the Peninsula Medical School research showed that acupuncture provided true pain relief, the effects of acupuncture provided definite pain relief in the short-term and this relief appeared to be sustained over the longer term. Patients experienced that acupuncture not only reduced pain intensity, but also reported improvements in the disability that often results from back pain and therefore in their quality of life. Acupuncture moves the stagnant energy and blood stasis to relieve the symptoms. Acupuncture is also effective in treating lumber problems, it increases blood flow to the involved area and helps reduce inflammation at the site to allow more room for the nerve root exit spinal column without being pinched, thus eliminates or gets rid of the pain in local or radiating areas.

Acupuncture for Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder is painful, stiffness and limited range of motion due to inflammation. Most commonly caused by inflammation of synovial tissue or thickening of synovial fluid.

How does acupuncture work for Frozen Shoulder?

Several studies have reported acupuncture treatment provide “significantly greater improvement” on frozen shoulder. Acupuncture can reduce inflammation by balancing immune system, and increasing blood and energy flow to the pain area which relieve pain and increase shoulder joint range of motion.

Acupuncture for Headaches

Headaches are pain in the region of the head or neck and extremely common. Headaches may result from any number of factors, like tension, stress, muscle contraction, vascular problems, sinusitis, menstruation-related, post injury, migraine, side effects of certain medications.

How does acupuncture work for Headaches?

Acupuncture can effectively relieve headaches whatever the causes, simultaneously treat their underlying diseases. Acupuncture increases local blood flow and along with it, an increase in nutrients and immune cells. These are the ingredients for healing. There is also evidence that acupuncture tends to have a balancing effect on brain chemistry, hormone levels, and immune cell function. Because the brain controls everything in the body, a balanced brain should allow for more effective healing, speeding the reduction of headaches.

Acupuncture for Neck Pain

Neck pain is a common problem; it may arise due to muscular tightness in the neck and upper back, pinching of the nerves and other spinal problems. Other accompanied symptoms might include headache, dizziness, heart palpitations, insomnia and etc.

How does acupuncture work for neck pain?

Acupuncture moves the blood flow and energy to the involved area to release the pain, tightened muscles and speed up the healing. Acupuncture also releases the pressure caused by pinching of the nerve and relives the accompanied symptoms.

Acupuncture for Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow (golfer's elbow, medical epicondylitis) is an inflammation of the muscles and tendons of the forearm.

How does acupuncture work for Tennis Elbow?

Acupuncture increases blood flow to the tennis elbow area to improve the delivery of nutrients and immune cells that repair and heal the muscles and tendons of inflammation. Acupuncture can stimulate lymphatic flow as well, this helps reduce swelling, pain and remove the chemicals that cause inflammation.

Acupuncture for Muscle Spasm

Muscles are designed to relax and contract in response to signals from the brain and spinal cord carried along specialist nerve cells. Each one of these muscles is potentially vulnerable to muscle spasm, also known as muscle cramp, or charley horse.

How does acupuncture work for Muscle Spasm?

Acupuncture can offer a drug-free solution with lasting benefits. The muscles spasm mostly caused by excess calcium accumulates in the muscles or lower absorption of potassium. Acupuncture not only balances trace elements of human body such as calcium and potassium to loosen muscles; but also decreases pain by blocking pain receptors in the brain and nervous system; Reduces inflammation in the muscles and the entire body; Relaxes blood vessels and decreases blood pressure, which restores health circulation; Balances brain chemistry to increase the production of serotonin, GABA and melatonin, which helps patients relax and fall asleep. An effective acupuncture session should help to relax muscles in spasm. If patients suffer from chronic cramping, might need a series of treatments.

Acupuncture for Post-Concussion Syndrome

Post-concussion syndrome (PCS) is a mild form of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The condition is associated with headache, dizziness, nausea/vomiting, neck or shoulder tightness, sensitivity to light or noise, or irritability, anxiety, depression, insomnia, inability to concentrate or focus vision etc. Some cases may have serious symptoms similar as traumatic brain injury.

How does acupuncture work for PCS?

According to acupuncture theory, the sooner treatment is started after the onset of symptoms, the stronger the effect will be in providing relief to the patient. Chinese physicians worked out that each major organ had an acupuncture meridian which is like a special energy line run all over the body including the head and brain. Wherever there is an injury, the meridian gets damaged and blocked at the injury site which then prevents good energy circulating along its pathway. Acupuncture can unblock meridians and increases energies and circulation to brain to restore health. Some experts believe post-concussion symptoms are caused by disruption of neurotransmitter systems. Research has shown that acupuncture balance/improve cerebral neurotransmitters — chemicals produced in the brain and nervous system that facilitate the transfer of information between nerve cells–stimulates new nerve connections to allow the brain to “re-wire” itself.

Acupuncture for Pleurisy

Pleurisy is inflammation in the pleura membrane of chest cavity and lungs. The main symptom is a sharp or stabbing pain in your chest that gets worse when you breathe in deeply or cough or sneeze. Sometimes the pain may spread to the shoulder or back. There are other symptoms such as short breath, cough, fever, and unexplained weight loss.

How does acupuncture work for Pleurisy?

Acupuncture can relieve pleurisy symptoms, such as chest, shoulder and /or back pain; reduce or get rid of cough or sneeze, fever and underlying causes by stimulating immune system to increase more nutrients and immune cells to the involved area and speed up healing.

Acupuncture For Costochondritis /Chest Wall Pain/Rib Pain/ Rib Neuritis

Costochondritis is sometimes known as chest wall pain, costosternal syndrome or chondrodynia. Sometimes, swelling accompanies the pain. Costochondritis is an inflammation of the cartilage that connects a rib to the breastbone (sternum). Pain caused by costochondritis might mimic that of a heart attack or other heart conditions.

How does acupuncture work for Condition?

Acupuncture needles cause an increase in local blood flow and along with it, an increase in nutrients and immune cells. These are the ingredients for healing. There is also evidence that acupuncture tends to have a balancing effect on brain chemistry, hormone levels, and immune cell function. Because the brain controls everything in the body, a balanced brain should allow for more effective healing, speeding the reduction or get rid of pain and swelling. Acupuncture simultaneously treats the underlying disease.

Acupuncture for Shingles (Herpes Zoster)

Shingles is a painful skin rash . It is caused by the varicella zoster virus. Shingles is most common in older adults and people who have weak immune systems because of stress, injury, certain medicines, or other reasons.

How does acupuncture work for Shingles?

Acupuncture is very effective to strengthen immune systems and eliminate pain, which are verified by World Health organization (WHO) and clinical practices. Starting acupuncture treatment right away can help your rash clean up faster, reduce and get rid of the pain. Acupuncture can prevents long-term pain that can occur after shingles.