The World Health Organization and the National Institute of Health have endorsed acupuncture, declaring it to be effective in the treatment of:

• headaches
• fibromyalgia
• pain managment
• acute and chronic injuries
• sports injuries
• tennis elbow/golfers elbow
• muscle and joint pain
• low back and neck pain
• arthritis
• pelvic pain, urinary problems
• menstrual problems, hot flashes
• digestive problems
• mood problems
• addictions
• various other health care problems.

PhysioHealth Studios offers both Contemporary Medical Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture.

CONTEMPORARY MEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE

Contemporary Medical Acupuncture is a safe, natural, and clinically effective option for the treatment of a variety of common orthopedic and functional health conditions.  It involves the insertion of very thin needles over carefully selected areas of the body where nerves and their receptors are found.  This stimulates numerous responses in the central nervous system (scientifically documented), that are of potential benefit for many conditions.

Contemporary Acupuncture works by activation the natural pain control and healing mechanisms of the body.  It improves local circulation and muscle nutrition, restoring muscle strength and decreasing pain.  it normalizes nerve communication at many levels of the central nervous system, resulting in better hoormonal, visceral and muscular activity, and a higher sense of well being and relaxation.

Contemporary Medical Acupuncture aims to bridge the gap between classical acupuncture therapy and contemporary medicine to achieve their ultimate integration. Medical Acupuncture is the biomedical adaptation of Chinese acupuncture methods, and is an effective and simple treatment approach based on current concepts of neurophysiology, neuroanatomy, and pathophysiology.

As in traditional acupuncture, Medical Acupuncture involves insertion of solid needles at relevant points on the body in combination with manual needle stimulation or electrical stimulation. Medical Acupuncture does not involve tongue or pulse diagnosis. Rather, a diagnosis is attained through thorough history taking and physical examination. Based on this process, anatomical points that are relevant to the condition are selected for needling.

In general, contemporary Acupuncture is always integrated with other therapeutic interventions and used either as a first line treatment or as a modality for other treatments. This is dependent on the nature of your problem and on the physiological mechanisms available to your individual case.

IS THE TREATMENT UNCOMFORTABLE?

Contemporary Acupuncture practitioners use a painless insertion technique, with a two hand contact, providing comfort and control at all times.  Modern acupuncture needles are very thin, sterile, and single use.  They are solid with a round tip that gently parts tissues without damaging them.  Discomfort during this process is minimal.  At times, a special electrical device is used to improve the effects of the treatment.  This electrical stimulation is quite comfortable.

ARE THERE ANY ADVERSE EFFECTS?

Adverse effects of acupuncture are rare, the most common being minor bruising or minimal bleeding (about 0.3% in 1000 treatments).  Mild drowsiness and/or a sense of euphoria may occur after treatments, so you should keep this in mind before driving.  Truly rare adverse effects can be explained to you by your practitioner.

HOW SOON DOES ACUPUNCTURE WORK?

In most cases, a positive response is seen quite early, sometimes in the first session.  Your practitioner will design the best plan for you, based on your condition, from 2-3 times a week to once per week.  positive responses for simple pain problems require 6-8 treatments, while chronic conditions may require 10-12.

WHAT MAKES CONTEMPORARY ACUPUNCTURE SO DIFFERENT?

Contemporary Acupuncture practitioners are conventional health professionals with a special skill.  They design your acupuncture treatments based on a thorough evaluation of your neurofunction.  They select specific goals based on the most important physiological functions in need of regulation, using precise peripheral nerve stimulation sites to best promote these therapeutic responses.

All acupuncture interventions are potentially beneficial because of their expected effects on human physiology.  Contemporary Acupuncture practitioners have studies these effects and know hot to best achieve the desired therapeutic goals in a clean, logical, reproducible, and scientific manner.

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE ACUPUNCTURE (TCM)