Qi Mail™
The Acupuncture Newsletter
December 2015
Julee Miller AP, DOM, BS, LMT
Health Pointe Jacksonville, LLC
3840 Belfort Road, Suite 305
Jacksonville, FL 32216
904-448-0046/www.hpjax.com

Relieve Pain Naturally with Acupuncture

 

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Increasingly, people are looking for more natural approaches to help relieve painful conditions

instead of relying on medications. Acupuncture can be helpful for all types of pain, regardless of

what is causing the pain or where the pain is located. Some studies have shown the pain relief it

provides can last for months, and depending on causative factors can be completely eliminated

for good.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain before and after acupuncture treatment for pain

shows dramatic decreases in brain activity — up to 70 percent! This decrease in brain activity in

certain areas of the brain is thought to be the reason for the reduction of pain caused by the

acupuncture treatments. Acupuncture sends signals to the CNS (the brain) communicating with it

to either release neurotransmitters and hormones or block them. In addition to reducing pain,

acupuncture also hastens the healing process by increasing circulation and attracting white blood

cells to an injured area. These two bodily responses in combination to acupuncture treatment

allows for a break in the pain-spasm-pain cycle, thereby allowing for recovery and healing to take

place.

paincycle
It is because of these responses that acupuncture works for chronic and acute pain, complicated

and simple  pain, nerve pain, inflammation, numbness, radiation, stiffness, range of motion

restrictions, weakness, bone-on-bone pain, and deep internal pain.

If you or someone you love suffers from acute and chronic pain, please call

(904) 448-0046 now to find out more about how Acupuncture and Oriental

medicine can help you.

 

Acupuncture for Low Back Pain

back pain

Low back pain is an extremely common concern, affecting anywhere

from 75- 90% of all people at some point in their lives and is the single

leading cause of disability worldwide. Low back pain is second only to

the common cold as a cause of lost days at work and is one of the most

 common reasons  to seek medical care.  In fact, it is one of the top  

reasons that  people seek  acupuncture treatmentLet’s  face it, at some  point you and I are bound

to be side-lined for a few days, a few  weeks or even a  few months from a low back issue.

So how does acupuncture treat lower back pain? It’s all in the approach.

 

For example, in spite  of the large number of pathological conditions that can give rise to low

back pain, up to 85% of  the cases are classified by physicians as ‘non-specific’ and treated

primarily with medication.  That pain medication was never designed to cure the pain,

only to “manage” it.

The good news is there are a few modalities available that can help heal the body itself.

Acupuncture can actually heal the muscles and nerves, the actual root cause of pain utilizing

a treatment approach expertly designed from the differential diagnosis upon evaluation. Here

are three primary patterns that affect, or cause, low back pain according to TCM:

Weak Kidney Qi – In Oriental medicine, the lower back is referred to as the “”dwelling of the

kidneys””. The majority of chronic low back pain conditions are associated with “kidney

deficiency”. Now, rest assured, when a TCM practitioner tells you this it does not mean you

have a kidney disease. Instead it is describing type of pain and pattern affecting the body. This

type is typically dull and erratic. It is  usually aggravated by fatigue and improves with  rest and

is most associated with arthritis and aging.

Stagnation of Qi and Blood – Are terms used when the flow of Qi along the meridians that

traverse the lumbar region becomes congested. This presents with a severe stabbing pain that

is worse with rest and better with movement, tender to touch, and can be accompanied by

stiffness and tightness. This type is usually associated  with some form of injury to the area

such as a sprain or strain of the muscles or ligaments, nerve root  impingement, adhesions

and contracted muscles,  trigger points, sciatica, and other acute pain syndromes.

Invasion of Cold and Dampness – In this type of pain pattern cold, damp type pain is

generally worse in the morning and when the weather is actually cold and damp. This type of

pain improves with movement and the application of heat. Stiffness and contraction of back

muscles that is aggravated by immobility indicates cold predominance. Swelling, numbness,

and a heavy sensation are indicative of dampness. This type of pain is common in systemic pain

patterns such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and fibromyalgia.

In summation, just as in Western medicine, not all patterns are text book and can be a comb-

ination of all the above listed. It is the seasoned practitioner that will effectively diagnose the

pattern and treat accordingly for quickest results.

 

Post Operative Pain Relief

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Research from Duke University Medical Center has shown that acupuncture can significantly

 reduce surgical patients’ post-operative pain and their need for powerful opioids to treat pain.

Many other studies have shown acupuncture effective in reducing post-operative nausea and

 vomiting compared with other medications. And according to a meta-analysis presented at
the American Society of Anesthesiologists’ meeting, acupuncture reduced rates of post-
operative nausea by 32%, pruritus (itchiness at the surgical site) by 25%, dizziness by 38%,
and urinary retention by 71% compared with control groups.
Acupuncture is also excellent for managing post-surgical side effects such as surgical pain,

loss of appetite, and upset stomach or nausea. In addition to strengthening the immune

system and increasing energy, acupuncture is also a great way to reduce swelling, decrease

stiffness and pain, reduce scarring and scar tissue, and assist with a quick recovery.

If you, or a loved one, will be undergoing surgery, please call us to see if acupuncture

can improve your recovery.

Injection Therapy for Pain Relief

In addition to acupuncture treatment, having homeopathic injections can  further accelerate

the healing process. Homeopathic injections contain substances derived from  plants, minerals,

and animals and area a very effective and safe  treatments for pain syndromes  without harmful

side effects. Luckily there are a few licensed Acupuncturists that are also licensed in Acupuncture

Injection Therapy that can safely provide these injections for accelerated healing and improved

response.  These are quick treatments without harmful side effects of medications.

 

Traumeel is an effective and safe homeopathic remedy that is used

in sports medicine and acute injuries. It aids in the recovery of many

musculoskeletal injuries without the serious side effects that is often

associated with conventional anti-inflammatory drugs like NSAIDs

(Aleve, Aspirin, Advil, Motrin) and Cortisone shots.

Supported by over two dozen scientific studies, Traumeel is a

clinically proven preparation formulated to help regulate inflammation. Traumeel relieves muscle

pain, bruising and inflammation associated with injuries such as sprains and contusions, and joint

pain. “Traumeel – an emerging option to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the management

of acute musculoskeletal injuries” ~ International Journal of General Medicine. You can receive

Traumeel injections as often as you need, as opposed to cortisone shots which you can only

receive 2-3 times per body part per year.  Traumeel is a safe, versatile medication for all ages.

 

Traumeel Injections help:

  • Lower back pain or disc herniations (bulges)
  • Sciatica
  • Sprain and Strains
  • Nerve Tingling in Extremities
  • Migraines
  • Arthritis and Joint Pain
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Sports Injuries
  • Inflammation and Swelling
  • Tennis or Golf Elbow
  • Migraines
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Repetitive Use Injuries
  • Muscle Spasms
  • Muscle Aches and Pains
  • Acute or Chronic Injuries
  • Pain Post-operative pain and discomfort
  • Chronic and auto-immune health conditions

2) Zeel

It is made of an optimal combination of natural ingredients intended to relieve pain associated

with arthritic and/or arthritic conditions, control inflammation and reduce stiffness, improving

joint mobility.

3) Neuralgo Rheum

Neuralgo Rheum is a highly effective solution treating neurogenic pain patterns, neuralgia,

rheumatism

of the soft tissues, intervetertebral disc complaints and arthritic conditions.

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