Consider acupuncture if you experience acute or chronic pain due to injury, arthritis or general wear-and-tear. Acupuncture provides a low side effect, highly effective treatment option for acute and chronic neurological and musculoskeletal pain. At SW Physical Therapy, our team member Collin Stoll L.Ac. as over 23 years of experience, using acupuncture and other therapeutics to treat various health problems, including muscle, neck, back, joint pain headaches and sports injuries. Call the Tigard, Oregon office, or book online today to make an appointment.
Acupuncture is a over 3000 year old traditional and modern Asian medical technique using single use hair thin surgical steel needles inserted into specific points on the body. The points are painlessly stimulated quickly causing a pain reducing healing effect both locally and systemically. People are often amazed at how fast their pain is reduced.
How does Acupuncture work?
Traditionally in Chinese Medicine Acupuncture was believed to stimulate and regulate Qi (pronounced Chee) a term that means both metabolic movement and vital air or oxygen. Modern medical research has shown that Acupuncture indeed stimulates and regulates nervous, cardiovascular, immune, and endocine systems function to support pain relief and healing.
What does acupuncture treat?
According to The World Health Organization (WHO) Acupuncture is effective for:
Disorders of the Bones, Joints, Muscles, and Skin: Arthritis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, tendonitis, sprains, strains and breaks, sciatica, back and body pain
Disorders of the Nervous System: Post-stroke and concussion rehabilitation, neuralgia, migraine headaches, insomnia, dizziness, attention deficit disorder, and poor memory.
Cancer Therapy: Pain and nausea control.
Gastrointestinal Disorders: GERD, Irritable bowel syndrome, peptic ulcers, constipation, indigestion, colitis, anorexia and gastritis.
Urogenital Disorders: Stress incontinence, prostitits, urinary tract infections and sexual dysfunction.
Gynecological Disorders: PMS, irregular, heavy or painful menstruation, fibroids, infertility, and menopause.
And more.
Is Acupuncture Painful?
Acupuncture feels very different from the sensation of receiving an injection. Injections often create pain because of the rigid large diameter, hollow needles used and the pressure of medication being forced into tissue. In contrast, acupuncture needles are flexible and hair thin. When inserted by a skilled practitioner, most people experience minimum discomfort. Treatments are often very relaxing and many patients report falling asleep during a treatment.
What will you Experience?
Reactions can vary after an acupuncture treatment as you move towards a more balanced state of health and wholeness. Some anxious patients report feelings of deep relaxation and a desire to rest. While lethargic patients often experience a renewed sense of vitality and clarity. Sometimes there is a temporary intensification of physical or emotional symptoms, as someone heals from long held traumas and moves towards balance.
What to Wear?
Wear loose, comfortable clothing.
How often and how many times do you need to get acupuncture?
For acute pain conditions 2-3 treatments a week. For chronic conditions 1-2 times a week. This is usually only for the first few weeks.
Progress is measured and charted during every treatment through qualitative and quantitative metrics such as symptom intensity, frequency, duration and stress factors. If reasonable progress is not being met, based on initial expectations and subsequent findings during treatment, then referral to other modalities of healing will be recommended.
Once symptoms have stabilized and measurable healing progress has been made and sustained between treatments then they can be spread out to maintain and progress a healing and healthy dynamic. Again progress is measured and charted at every treatment.
The final stage of treatment usually occurs when maximum therapeutic benefit has been met and sustained and you are in a healthy dynamic state of being.
Is Acupuncture Safe?
One of the great advantages of acupuncture is the lack of negative side effects. The hair thin, flexible needles generally cause no bleeding when inserted or removed.
Only one-use, disposable, sterile stainless steel needles are used, thus eliminating the risk of needle-borne infection.
Why Choose Acupuncture?
· It is safe, effective and lacks side effects.
· The whole person is treated, rather than just the disease.
· It stimulates your body’s natural ability to heal itself.
· It helps you regain control of your body and health care.
· It works in conjunction with Western Medicine to treat illness