Pain

Millions of people live with daily pain. Pain can influence all aspects of our lives by limiting what we can do physically,  mentally, and emotionally. For people suffering from intense or chronic pain, there can be very little energy left over for enjoying our closest relationships and what used to be our favorite activities. After an acupuncture treatment, patients report increased relaxation, decreased pain and stiffness, and an overall increased sense of well-being.

Scott Klein Acupunture brings you techniques that are designed to help you get past your pain and disease quickly,  getting you back to feeling like you, with more energy, and not like a bunch of symptoms requiring medications. 

For more information about pain please go here.

Pain

Back Pain

Back pain is a very common problem–one that will strike four out of five
Americans at some time in their lives. In fact, it’s one of the top reasons
people seek medical care. Unfortunately, back pain isn’t always easy to diagnose
or relieve. Low back pain in particular can become a chronic or ongoing
problem.


Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are very effective in
treating back pain naturally. They can also be used together with traditional
Western treatments to maximize your healing and recovery.


How back pain happens
There are many possible causes for back pain, including strained muscles or
ligaments, often caused by improper lifting, sudden movements or traumatic
injury. Other culprits can include arthritis, structural abnormalities of the
spine, or the disks between the vertebrae bulging or rupturing and pressing on a
nerve. Depending on the specific diagnosis, back pain is generally treated with
medications, physical therapy, chiropractic care, and in some cases,
surgery.


“Acupuncture represents a highly promising and effective
treatment option for chronic back pain. Patients experienced 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.” – H. Endres,
MD
 


A more natural approach
Practitioners of acupuncture and TCM view back pain another way. An
acupuncturist will not only work to relieve your symptoms, but will also work to
find and treat the underlying cause of your pain. In a study conducted at a
Swedish hospital, doctors concluded that acupuncture provided long-term relief
along with improvements in physical activity levels, quality of sleep and the
diminished use of pain medication.


Acupuncture and TCM are based on the concept that Qi (pronounced “chee”), or
vital energy, flows through the body in channels called meridians. If Qi becomes
stagnant, unbalanced or deficient, symptoms such as back pain, ache and
inflammation can result. This can happen for any number of reasons, from injury
and illness to stress or external invaders such as wind or dampness. Back pain
can arise from disharmonies such as:


• Stagnation – type pain that is often linked to
sudden, stabbing, severe pain and related to sprains, strains or trauma. It can
be accompanied by stiffness and tightness and becomes worse with rest. If it
occurs often in the same area(s) it may reflect an underlying deficiency.


• Cold, damp obstruction – type pain that is
generally worse in the morning and exacerbated by cold or damp weather. This
type of pain condition may be associated with numbness, swelling and a sense of
“heaviness.” Heat improves this condition.


• Deficiency – type pain that is usually
a
chronic condition that presents with
a “dull” pain and improves with
rest.


Restoring balance
Once your practitioner has determined the cause(s) of your back pain, he or
she will create a specific treatment plan designed to address your concerns and
boost your overall health and vitality. During acupuncture treatments, your
practitioner will insert fine, sterile needles into specific acupuncture points
along the meridian pathways in order to restore the balance and flow of Qi. He
or she may also perform acupressure or other types of therapy, based on your
unique issues and symptoms.


Your practitioner may also suggest lifestyle changes and self-care
techniques, especially if you struggle with chronic pain. These may include:


• Improving your posture – Examine your posture in
a mirror. Try to stand with your head up, shoulders back and pelvis in a neutral
position. When sitting, try to sit upright with your feet flat on the floor and
your knees and hips level. Try to balance your weight evenly when walking and
standing.


• Exercising – Keep your back and abdominal muscles
strong with regular exercise. Yoga and Qi Gong are both gentle and effective.
Consider adding aerobic exercise as well to improve your overall health and
reduce stress.


• Managing stress – Stress can take a real toll on
your health and contribute to muscle pain. Meditation or deep-breathing
techniques can help you stay calm and relaxed. Massage is another great way to
help relieve stress and loosen tense muscles.


More and more people are finding relief for both acute and chronic back pain
through acupuncture and TCM. If you or someone you love is struggling with back
pain, call today to find out how acupuncture can help.


References:
Back pain. MayoClinic.com. Feb.
8, 2008. Link
Sollars, David
W. L.Ac. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Acupuncture and Acupressure. Alpha Books,
2000.
Stone, Al. L.Ac. Chinese Medicine for Back Pain. Acupuncture.Com. Link

Neck Pain
At some point in our lives, each of us will most likely experience some type
of neck pain and/or whiplash. However, certain people may be predisposed to
acute and chronic neck pain due to their occupation. Employees who perform
repetitive tasks, sit for prolonged periods of time and use their upper
extremities are at a greater risk of developing neck pain.   


The neck is one of the most flexible—and delicate—parts of the body.
Throughout the day, many of us put stress on our neck without even realizing it.
Unfortunately, this can result in a literal “pain in the neck,” causing
stiffness, pain and limited movement in the neck and even the shoulders and
arms.   


If you suffer from neck pain, whether it is occasional or chronic,
acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) may just provide the relief
you need. In recent years, acupuncture has become well-known as an effective
treatment for various types of painful disorders. Acupuncture and TCM provide a
natural, safe approach to treating
      neck pain and whiplash.


What is behind that pain in the neck
Neck pain can be caused by a wide range of factors, including wear-and-tear,
strains or sprains, or inflammation. A few of the most common culprits include:

• Bad posture: Bending or hunching forward for prolonged
  periods can cause strains (overstretched muscles), sprains (injuries to
  ligaments) or other problems. This can happen at work when sitting in front of
  the computer, during long drives, when reading in bed or even talking on the
  phone. Sleeping in an awkward position is another common cause.


• Injuries, trauma and motor vehicle accidents: This is a
  major cause of acute neck pain and whiplash. Common injuries include falls,
  sports-related injuries, direct trauma and auto accidents.


• Medical conditions: Conditions such as arthritis can cause
  chronic pain and stiffness. Herniated disks in the neck can also cause pain, as
  can illnesses like the flu. Jaw injuries or conditions may also cause neck pain.
  


• Stress: Being stressed or anxious can cause tension in the
  muscles of your neck, shoulders and back.

Neck pain according to TCM can be caused by a
variety of factors. Below are some of the more common TCM diagnoses that your
acupuncturist may discover and treat.

• Overuse 


• Strain 


• Muscle tension 


• Invasion of cold, wind and/or damp 


• Bi Syndrome

How acupuncture can help.
A study published in British Medical Journal states that, “Acupuncture can be
a safe form of treatment for patients with chronic neck pain if the objective is
to obtain relief from pain related to movement and to improve cervical mobility.
As neck pain may be a chronic condition, single forms of treatment may be
inadequate, and acupuncture merits consideration.”1 Other studies suggest that acupuncture can treat
degenerative disorders of the neck and spine. According to a study published by
U.S. National Institutes of Health in 2010, it was concluded that, “Traditional
acupuncture can relieve pain intensity and improve the quality of daily life
with a relative long-term clinical efficacy in patients with chronic neck
pain.”2


Acupuncture and TCM take a holistic, or whole-body, approach to health. In
TCM, Qi (pronounced “chee”) is the vital energy that animates the body and
protects it from illness. It flows through pathways called meridians to nourish
all of the body’s organs, muscles and cells. When there is an imbalance or
blockage in the flow of Qi, physical symptoms such as pain may result.   


Acupuncture is safe, natural and has no side effects—unlike many of the
medications often used to treat pain.     
Your practitioner will take a detailed health history and perform a physical
exam to find out where and why your body’s vital energies have become blocked
and out of balance. He or she will work to not only relieve your pain, but to
identify and treat the underlying causes. During treatment, fine, sterile
needles will be inserted at specific points along the meridian pathways in order
to restore the balance and flow of Qi. Your practitioner may also perform
acupressure or other types of therapy, based on your unique issues and symptoms.
     


Your practitioner may also recommend herbs, changes in diet, stretches and
other exercises to work in conjunction with acupuncture treatment. These adjunct
therapies help you regain your health and prevent future problems. By working
together with your acupuncturist—and taking good care of yourself—you will be on
your way to a healthier, pain-free future before you know it.


References:

1. Irnich, D., et al. Randomised trial of acupuncture compared with
   conventional massage and “sham” laser acupuncture for treatment of chronic neck
   pain. British Medical Journal June 30, 2001;322:1-6.     


2. Liang Z, Zhu X, Yang X, Fu W, Lu A. Assessment of a traditional acupuncture
   therapy for chronic neck pain: a pilot randomized controlled study. Complement
   Ther Med. 2011 Jan 19, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21195292.
   

Sleep Disorders

Cups on the upper back for upper back pain.

Cupping uses suction to stimulate the points or are moved providing a type of massage. This technique as well as one called Gua Sha which is scraping of the skin causes painless bruises. This helps eliminate pain and stiffness.

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Herbal Remedies

Most Chinese herbal rescriptions are

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Pain
Pain

Most people experience significant pain at some time in their lives—whether
from an injury, illness, or an unknown cause. Pain is a warning signal, an alarm
that goes off when your body is trying to tell you that something is wrong and
out of balance.         


What can you do?
No one should have to live with pain, but which treatment is right for you?
Often times, people suffering from pain take medication to dull the pain. Taking
medication is understandable when pain is constant and unbearable. It may be
helpful to dull the symptoms for a short period of time, but it will not get at
the root of the problem and correct it. It is like hitting the snooze button on
an alarm. Unless the cause of the pain is treated, your body will keep sounding
the alarm and reminding you that something is wrong. Eventually the pain may get
worse or become chronic. It is
      also possible for the medications to
cause unwanted side effects and further compromise your health.     


Surgery may be another option. At times, this approach may make sense, but it
could be both expensive and risky, and there is no guarantee that it will be
effective.     


Acupuncture is a time-tested, safe, effective, natural and drug-free way to
eliminate pain. Unlike other methods of handling pain, there are no side
effects. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institutes of
Health (NIH) acknowledge the benefits of acupuncture in treating and eliminating
pain due to a wide range of causes.


An acupuncturist’s approach to pain.
Acupuncture practitioners recognize that there is a vital energy, called Qi
(pronounced “chee”), circulating within the body. Qi flows through a series of
pathways called meridians. Meridians are like rivers within your body. The
diagram to the right shows the meridians throughout the body. Wherever a river
flows it brings with it water that provides nourishment and life to the land,
plants and people around it. Likewise, meridians transport life-giving Qi that
provides nourishment to every cell, tissue, muscle, organ and gland in the body.
   



Many things can cause
Qi to become
blocked:

• Poor diet     


• Physical trauma     


• Emotional trauma     


• Inherited weakness of Qi     


• Chemical, physical, and/or emotional stress

It is important for Qi to flow freely throughout the body. Think of water
flowing through a garden hose. A blocked hose will not provide
      an
adequate supply of water to a plant. Eventually, the plant will be unable to
thrive, grow and blossom.     


Similarly, a blockage in the flow of Qi anywhere in the body will inhibit the
amount of nourishment that reaches our cells, tissues, muscles, organs and
glands. Under normal circumstances, your body can easily return to good health
and vitality. If the disruption of Qi is prolonged or excessive, or if your body
is in a weakened state, the flow of Qi becomes restricted and a variety of
symptoms, including pain, may arise.


What does acupuncture do?
By inserting fine, sterile needles at specific points, an acupuncturist is
able to break up blockages that have hampered the smooth flow of Qi. Once this
is done, Qi can travel freely throughout the body, promoting pain-free health,
well-being and vitality.     


Not only can acupuncture treat signs and symptoms of pain and discomfort, it
can also get to the root of the problem. When the initial cause of the pain is
corrected, your body can begin to heal on deeper levels. Your acupuncturist may
also suggest adjunct therapies to
      enhance treatment and speed healing,
such as: massage, stretching,
      yoga, herbal supplements and dietary
changes.


“I can not see a better solution to
long-term
chronic pain. There is no question in my mind that acupuncture is
safer than surgery or drugs.”
—Dr. Bruce Pomeranz, Neuroscientist,
University of Toronto