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Medical Acupuncture
Acupuncture uses a meridian based treatment and can be used for local treatment, or more system wide changes in the body. Meridians carry the life force energy called qi (pronounced “chee”) also known as chi, prana, ke in other healing traditions. Fine acupuncture needles are placed in specially selected points along the meridian that is being used in treatment, or painful/restricted areas. The needles allow for the proper flow of qi within the meridian system, thereby helping to restore proper function. Acupuncture stimulates endorphin and other neuromodulators release and relaxes the musculoskeletal system, changing both the physical and emotional well-being of patients.
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Acupuncture is used to rebalance the body, by the correction of energetic imbalances and structural restrictions. Acupuncture can be used alone, along with osteopathic manipulative treatment or any other conventional approach based on the specific diagnosis, criteria for usage and the patient situation.
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Medical acupuncture combines the ancient philosophy of the eastern healing art with the current knowledge of neuromuscular anatomy and pain physiology. Medical acupuncture is a refined model that uses a physician based diagnosis, medical treatment, and acupuncture as a means of achieving balance in the human physiology. It employs traditional Chinese acupuncture, Japanese myofascial acupuncture, a French biostructural approach (establishes the individualized treatment based on a set of questions and parameters), auricular acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, and percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (special needles arranged and hooked up to a low current stimulator in the region of the pain.)
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In the United States and Europe, Acupuncture has received great notoriety in the treatment of many different neuromusculoskeletal pain problems, and medical disorders ( including respiratory, gastrointestinal, gynecological, genitourinary, substance abuse, emotional disturbances). In the 1970s U.S. physicians that visited China witnessed surgeries using acupuncture as the only anesthesia. The World Health Organization and National Institutes of Health have accepted acupuncture as treatment for a wide array of disorders. Medical acupuncture helps address disorders that have not been easily understood or successfully treated with conventional medicine. Acupuncture is successful at treating poorly defined conditions such as fatigue, stress related symptoms, sleep disturbances, bowel irregularities, sleep disorders, anxiety, and recurrent illnesses.
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The acupuncture physical exam is woven into the details of the initial encounter with Dr. Dave. There are subtle areas of exploration not addressed with conventional medicine such as: color, taste, seasonal, climatic, and time of day preferences. Painful nodules, reflex points and painful regions are taken into consideration.
Acupuncture can be used to treat acute and chronic problems, or as part of preventative and functional medicine program. During the treatment the patient lies down on a comfortable treatment table. Most treatment sessions consist of needle placement for approximately 20 minutes. Acupuncture needles are disposable, sterile needles that are extremely thin, the insertion is quick and tolerated well by most patients.
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Both osteopathy and acupuncture have a role in treating acute, chronic and vague musculoskeletal and general medical complaints. They both have an effect on the neuromusculoskeletal system. With the overall balance achieved using these modalities, there is an effect on the autonomic nervous system which governs the sympathetic ( “fight or flight”) and the parasympathetic (“rest and repair”) nervous system. There are both immediate and cumulative effects from the treatments. They both relieve pain, release myofascial holding patterns, create a sense of well being, tonify and balance the body for optimal health. They both help patients achieve optimum performance in sports, physical activities, and in occupational demands.
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