Posts Tagged ‘cupping’
What goes into an acupuncture treatment?
Jul 24, 2012
The process of treating back pain with acupuncture, or any pain for that matter, is complex. As an acupuncturist, we have many factors to consider in the treatment.
Important factors for the acupuncturist to decide are what acupuncture points to use, how long the needles stay in, what position the patient should lie, the use of electro-acupuncture, additional use of cups, and other factors.
1. How to choose acupuncture points:
Acupuncture points can be chosen based on location of the pain, type of the pain, and the underlying imbalances causes the pain. Some pain, such as pain from sciatica, is best relieved by acupuncture locally in the lower back, around the sacrum, and throughout the course of the sciatic nerve.
2. Use of electroacupuncture is very helpful for many types of back pain. This technique enhances the relaxation of muscles as well as helps to reducing inflammation and pain. In addition, electroacupuncture may be helpful in stimulating the growth of muscle tissue and therefore can be helpful for balancing the muscle weakness.
3. The length of the acupuncture treatment can also vary. If there is an acute back spasm, it is better to have a shorter acupuncture treatment. For muscle weakness, the needles will be left in for a slightly longer period of time.
4. The patient needs to be comfortable during the acupuncture session. Some positions, such as lying face down, will put stress on the back. These patients will often benefit from treatment lying on their side or back and use distal acupuncture points on the most powerful acupuncture channels.
5. Cupping is an effective additional technique to acupuncture for back pain. It helps to relax the muscles and bring circulation to the area.
Acupuncture for Arthritis
Mar 19, 2012
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to reduce joint pain, swelling, and stiffness which comes from arthritis.
Acupuncture and Arthritis Symptoms
Acupuncture for arthritis of the back
Pain and stiffness are the most common symptoms from arthritis. Arthritis can effect both small joints, such as the hands and feet, as well as larger joints, such as the hips, back, knees, and shoulder. Arthritis may cause your joints to crack, swell, and have limited movement.
Acupuncture works to relieve pain and stiffness of arthritis by stimulating the release of natural pain relievers, such as opioids, as well as regulating pain relieving opioid receptors. Acupuncture also changes the way the nervous system feels pain, helping to relieve pain for long periods of time. In addition, acupuncture has an anti-inflammatory effect, reducing the circulating inflammatory hormones in the blood (1). Many clinical trials of acupuncture have shown acupuncture to be effective for reducing pain in patients with arthritis (2).
Acupuncture view of Arthritis
Most people with arthritis experience greater pain in the cold and damp weather. In acupuncture and Chinese medicine, the reason this occurs is because the cold and damp impede circulation in the joints. The lack of circulation leads pain, stiffness, and swelling. The goal of the acupuncture is to increase circulation and warm the joints to relieve pain.
What is the Acupuncture treatment for arthritis like?
During the first visit, we will complete a medical history and physical examination, which focuses on an examination of effected and painful joints. Acupuncture diagnosis and treatment focuses on identifying the specific root imbalance causing the condition and tailoring the treatment for you.
In addition to the acupuncture, treatment often includes manual therapies such as tui na (acupressure), cupping, and heat. Electroacupuncture is particularly effective for pain relief in arthritis.
Acupuncture is most effective through a treatment course. The treatment should decrease pain and inflammation and improve mobility in the joints. Many people find rapid relief, within a few weeks of beginning the treatment. For others, it may take longer to have an effect. Generally, patients come in for acupuncture once to twice a week depending on the severity, and gradually get acupuncture less frequently. The treatment course generally last 2-4 months. Often, patients will experience be long lasting pain relief.
References:
1. Napadow V, Ahn A, Longhurst J, et.al. The Status and Future of Acupuncture Mechanism Research. J Altern Complement Med. 2008 September; 14(7): 861–869.
2. Berman BM, Lao L, Langenberg P, Lee WL, Gilpin AMK, Hochberg MC. Effectiveness of Acupuncture as Adjunctive Therapy in Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Randomized, Controlled Trial. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2004; 141(12):901910.
Rotator Cuff Injury
Jan 22, 2012
Rotator cuff injuries plagues athletes and non-athletes alike. It most often occurs from repetitive actions like throwing a ball, lifting, or even sitting at a computer.
One of the most common injuries to the rotator cuff is rotator cuff tendinitis, or inflammation of the tendons. These injuries can be chronic and stubborn. But the good news is that acupuncture can help. Acupuncture for rotator cuff injury and tendinitis is a very effective and safe treatment.
What is the rotator cuff?
Rotator Cuff
The rotator cuff consists of four muscles that connect the shoulder to the humerus bone of the arm: the suprspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis muscle. These muscles provide mobility to the arm as well as stabilize the arm while it moves.
How does an injury develop?
Rotator cuff tendinitis, inflammation in to the tendon or the rotator cuff, is a common injury. Sometimes rotator cuff injuries also involve the muscles. Injuries often occur from repetitive movements like throwing a ball. It is also possible to injury the rotator cuff through injuries like falling or lifting something too heavy.
From the injury, one may develop pain, weakness, difficultly moving the arm, and irritation. If left untreated, it may become worse. Due to lack of motion of the arm, the arm may loose muscles mass and develop long term weakness. If muscle mass is loss, physical therapy is helpful to regain strength. It is important to visit your doctor to rule out other causes of the pain.
Acupuncture and rotator cuff tendinitis
Acupuncture is very effective for treating rotator cuff tendinitis. After an examination, your acupuncturist will create an acupuncture treatment plan.
The acupuncture points used are often on the shoulder and upper back. Sometimes the treatment focuses more on the front of the shoulder. Other times, it may focus on the upper back and back of the shoulder.
Electroacupuncture is particularly effective for rotator cuff injuries. The treatment is generally 6-10 weeks with patients coming in once or twice a week depending on the severity of the injury.
Acupuncture works to help rotator cuff injuries by increasing the circulation to the area and decreasing inflammation in the tendons. Acupuncture also works to reduce pain and inflammation through regulating neural pain pathways, stimulating the release of natural pain relieves in the body, such as opioids, as well as regulating pain relieving opioid receptors. Many studies have also shown acupuncture to have a anti-inflammatory effect, reducing the circulating inflammatory hormones in the blood (1).
The acupuncture treatment often includes other manual therapies such as cupping and acupressure. I use a type of tui na which is very effective for shoulder pain and rotator cuff injuries.
Research on Acupuncture for Rotator Cuff Tendinitis
In one study on acupuncture for rotator cuff tendinitis 52 people were enrolled and received acupuncture 2 times per week for 4 weeks (2). In this study, they used an innovative placebo needle. When the acupuncturist goes to insert the needle, the tip of it retracts, so there is no needle insertion. The acupuncture group’s pain was reduced significantly more than the placebo acupuncture group.
References:
1. Napadow V, Ahn A, Longhurst J, et.al. The Status and Future of Acupuncture Mechanism Research. J Altern Complement Med. 2008 September; 14(7): 861–869.
2. Kleinhenz J, Streitberger K, Windeler J, et.al. Randomised clinical trial comparing the effects of acupuncture and a newly designed placebo needle in rotator cuff tendinitis. Pain. 1999 Nov;83(2):235-41.
Image: Wikipedia
Written by: Joseph Alban
Last Edited: 1/23/2012
Chronic Low Back Pain
Jan 9, 2012
Chronic low back pain is one of the most common reasons to go to the doctor as well as miss work. It decreases quality of life and causes people to avoid activities they would normally enjoy. Acupuncture is a very well accepted and safe method to treat chronic low back pain (1,2).
Acupuncture for Chronic Low Back Pain
Acupuncture is over 2000 years old, and has a long track record of treating back pain. Acupuncture needles are solid, there is no medication in or on the needle. It is not anesthesia that helps to reduce the pain. Acupuncture works by stimulating the body to heal itself. It does this through relaxing the back muscles, stimulating the release of anti-inflammatory chemicals, and regulating how the brain feels pain (3).
Chinese medicine and acupuncture theorize that there are underlying imbalances in the body which leads to chronic low back pain. A successful acupuncture treatment must be tailored specifically to what is going on with your back. Acupuncture needles are placed in specific points correct imbalances that can cause back pain.
Lower back pain treatment will most often be focused on the back. Needles will also be placed in other areas to stimulate movement of the energy and increase production of the energy.
What Causes Back Pain?
According to acupuncture and Chinese medicine, the two major imbalances which cause back pain are deficiency and stagnation.
An old acupuncture saying goes, “When there is no movement, there is pain. When there is movement, there is no pain.”
Stagnation is when there is not enough flow of energy through the back. Trauma, stress, or injury can cause the qi flow, or energy flow, in the body to slow down and gets stuck. When there is no flow, pain develops. Car accident, sports injury, and stress can lead to development of stagnation.
Deficiency is when there is not enough energy in body. The body needs qi, or energy, in order to function healthy. Gradual, slow, chronic onset of back pain can be a sign that there is not enough energy, or a qi deficiency.
Sometimes there is a combination of deficiency and stagnation. This can happen after a long period of time after an accident and not getting better.
Acupuncture therapy is individualized for each patient
During the initial acupuncture visit, there is generally an examination and assessment of the root cause of the back pain. The acupuncture treatment is individualized for your specific issues.
An effective acupuncture treatment may involve acupuncture and electro -acupuncture stimulation. Other therapies including acupressure or cupping are very helpful for chronic low back pain. For some people ear magnets or auricular acupuncture is very powerful for pain relief. The proper combination of these treatments leads to profound and long term pain relief.
Read More about Acupuncture for Chronic Lower Back Pain:
References:
1. Sherman KJ, Cherkin DC, Eisenberg DM, et.al. The Practice of Acupuncture: Who Are the Providers and What Do They Do? Ann Fam Med 2005;3:151-158.
2. Berman BM, Langevin HM, Witt CM, Dubner R. Acupuncture for Chronic Low Back Pain. N Engl J Med 2010; 363:454-461.
3. Napadow V, Ahn A, Longhurst J, et.al. The Status and Future of Acupuncture Mechanism Research. J Altern Complement Med. 2008 September; 14(7): 861–869.
written by: Joseph Alban
Last Edited: 1/09/2012
Acupuncture for Sciatica
Dec 27, 2011
Sciatic Nerve Gray’s Anatomy
The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body. It consists of a large bundle of smaller nerves that begin in the lumbar spine, travel down the buttocks, and move through the leg.
Sciatica is a group of symptoms that affect the region of the sciatic nerve. Radiating pain is one of the more common and intense symptoms associated with sciatica. There can also be numbness and tingling starting in the lower back radiating down the leg. Acupuncture is very effective for relieving symptoms of acute and chronic sciatica.
What Causes Sciatica?
Sciatica occurs when something pushes on the sciatic nerve. This can be a muscle spasm, the spinal discs, and sometimes even the spine itself. Most often this pain is due to muscle spasms or a slipped disc, but it can also be a sign of serious illness and it is important to go to your doctor for a diagnosis.
Spinal Disc herniation, often referred to as a slipped disc, is when a small portion of the spinal disc bulges out of the spinal column. This disc then pushes on the sciatic nerve causing pain. In some severe cases, spinal stenosis, or a narrowing of the spinal canal, can push on the nerve and cause pain. Another serious cause of sciatica is spinal tumors, which require immediate medical attention.
Muscle spasms are also a common cause of sciatica. Most often it is the piriformis muscle, but it can be other muscles in the lower back and pelvic region.
Piriformis syndrome can cause chronic sciatica. Sometimes the sciatic nerve runs under or through the piriformis muscle. This muscle is located in the pelvis. It is connected to the bottom of the spine and the top of the femur, or thighbones. If the piriformis muscle starts to spasm or becomes tight, it can put pressure on the sciatic nerve and cause the pain as well as the radiating symptoms. This persistent spasm of the piriformis muscle is called piriformis syndrome. It can be caused by an injury or sedentary lifestyles in people who don’t stretch or exercise. Particularly if you sit all day at a desk or computer, this can be a problem.
Acupuncture’s Approach to Sciatica
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine state that the body is interconnected; no one part can be separated from another. The diagnosis and treatment of sciatica is based upon identifying specific imbalances in the muscles and the body as a whole. Correcting the imbalance does not just treat the symptoms or mask the condition, but rather corrects the root of the problem by encouraging self-healing of the body. Acupuncture treatment of sciatica will focus on relaxing the muscles and stretching the tendons and fascia. It can also help strengthening the muscles.
Acupuncture Diagnosis for sciatica
The most common acupuncture imbalance in acute sciatica is qi and blood stagnation in the back channels. Qi and blood stagnation in the channels often affects the soft tissue of the lumbar, hips, and pelvis. This is what causes the muscle spasm and tension that triggers the intense shooting pain of acute sciatica.
Other common acupuncture imbalances are kidney qi vacuity, spleen qi vacuity with dampness, and liver qi stagnation.
Kidney Qi Vacuity: If your back feels very weak and it does not get better with a lot of rest, the underlying imbalance may be kidney qi vacuity. Other symptoms include weakness of the knees, extreme fatigue, ringing in the ears, dizziness, and a weak pulse.
Spleen Qi Vacuity with Dampness: For those with spleen qi vacuity with dampness, you will also have fatigue and weakness, but the back feels better with rest. Your body may feel very heavy and you may have poor digestion.
Liver Qi stagnation: Liver qi stagnation causes your muscles to be very tight and in spasm when you become angry or frustrated. Also, you may suffer from frequent headaches and, in women, painful menses.
Acupuncture Treatment for Sciatica
Acupuncture for Sciatica
I believe the most effective therapy for sciatica includes acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, and Tui Na, which is Chinese medical massage. In some cases, cupping and stretches are very helpful. The back, hip, and pelvis are interconnected and the treatment should incorporate the entire region.
Overall, the acupuncture treatment should relax and stretch the tendons and fascia while strengthening the muscles. This will help release the spastic muscles and strengthen them, allowing the back to naturally heal. It can even encourage an out of place disc to go back into place, depending on severity.
Acupuncture has been shown to reduce pain and inflammation through regulating neural pain pathways, stimulate the release of natural pain relieves in the body, such as opioids, as well as regulate pain relieving opioid receptors. Many studies have also shown acupuncture to have a anti-inflammatory effect, reducing the circulating inflammatory hormones in the blood (1). This will help to reprogram the muscles to stay relaxed, and in effect, encourage the body heal itself.
Chinese massage, or tui na, works to support the acupuncture by releasing any extra tension in the fascia and connective tissue around the muscles. The technique called rolling is very important to deeply relax the muscles and improve circulation at the same time.
After the pain is gone, it is important for you to exercise and stretch to maintain a pain free life.
If you have questions about acupuncture for sciatica, call us 917-887-4946 or click below to make an appointment online.
References:
1. Napadow V, Ahn A, Longhurst J, et.al. The Status and Future of Acupuncture Mechanism Research. J Altern Complement Med. 2008 September; 14(7): 861–869.
Written by Joseph Alban, L.Ac.
Last Edited 12/27/2011
image: wikipedia
How Long is an Acupuncture Treatment?
Nov 3, 2011
One of the important logistical questions about acupuncture is how long is a treatment.
In my NYC acupuncture clinic, the first visit lasts about 75-90 minutes. The following acupuncture visits are about 45-60 minutes.
In the first visit, we have an examination, an acupuncture treatment, which is often followed by acupressure. Other therapies may be included such as cupping or gua sha.
The follow acupuncture sessions are very similar, but the examination is shorter. Periodically, I will conduct physical exams to see how the treatment is progressing.
Back Pain after a Car Accident
Sep 27, 2011
Chronic back pain and neck pain often develops after a car accident. It can happen directly after the accident or gradually over a period of time. Sometimes, people with chronic neck and back pain just doesn’t seem to get better, no matter what they try, even if there are no findings on the x-rays and MRI tests.
Acupuncture is very effective at reducing chronic back pain after a car accident.
In acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine the concept of circulation is unique and can be the reason acupuncture works when other therapies do not.
Acupuncture Channels
Acupuncture Meridians
The body is interconnected by acupuncture channels and meridians. These connect and protect the body. An injury or car accident causes a disruption in the circulation through the acupuncture meridians.
When there is Movement, There is No Pain
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine have a concept called qi and blood stagnation. That means that the accident and injury has lead to lack of circulation in the meridians, as well as the muscles. This lack of circulation causes the pain.
Acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, acupressure, and cupping helps to correct this disruption has to be corrected in order for the body to heal and the pain to recede.
Please note, while acupuncture is very helpful for treating the chronic pain, it is very important to go to a physician or the emergency room after the accident.
If you have questions about acupuncture for chronic back pain, please e-mail or call us 917-887-4946 to make an appointment.
Car Accident Back Pain
Sep 7, 2011
This is the second article in a series focusing on acupuncture for the treatment of back pain.
This is a case explaining how acupuncture can treat back pain after a car accident.
The patient is a young man in his early thirties who came to me for acupuncture for his back pain after being in a car accident. The car accident had occurred over 2 years before he began treatment. Despite therapy, the pain persisted. The pain and tightness was focused in his lower back that sometimes radiated down his legs.
His back pain was very persistent, although he had no disc problems or nerve impairments diagnosed on his MRI.
The pain was very intense, it hurt all day during his job and even kept him from sleeping soundly. It was difficult for him to exercise. When people stop moving and using their region of pain, the pain is often exacerbated.
Naturally, his situation caused a lot of worry and anxiety that his condition would never improve.
Upon our first visit, I saw that he had restrited range of motion in his lower back. It was difficult to bend forward or to the side.
I assessed his problem as qi and blood stagnation.
The Acupuncture Treatment
Acupuncture for Lower Back Pain
Because he tended to have more stagnation than vacuity, I focused on increasing the circulation in the back. To do this, I will tend to use more needles, electro-acupuncture, acupressure and tui na and cupping.
The points I used were on the lower back, such as UB 23, UB 25, UB 32, GB 30, Yao Yao, as well as points on the legs that open up the back channels. UB 40 on the back of the knees is a special point for back pain. I also used Kidney 3 to boost the kidneys and relieve the pain. Electro-acupuncture was also used on the lower back to relieve the pain. I used tui na rolling technique as well.
The Results
Chinese Fire Cups
After the first two visits his back pain began to diminish. And he had increased range of flexibility. By the fourth visit, his back pain, tightness, and tingling in his legs was much less. After six visits, the pain was only minor.
At this point, I advised my patient to return to exercising. Light cardiovascular and a stretching routine. Stretching is very important to maintain flexibility and prevent back pain in the long run.
We continued with four more weekly visits. The pain was much diminished and range of motion had significantly returned.
The patient was now comfortable while working and was able to return to exercising.
Acupuncture for N.F.L. Players
Dec 6, 2010
Everyone in my New York Acupuncture clinic is talking about the article in last week’s New York Times.
This article tells how NFL players are now regularly using acupuncture to help heal from injuries and recover from their grueling schedule.
Many pro athletes are now using acupuncture as part of their health maintenance program. Acupuncture can help serious athletes by keeping muscles loose, decreasing inflammation, and increasing circulation. Of course, it also can treat specific ailments as well, like rotator cuff injuries, neck and shoulder pain, sciatica, and elbow pain.
photo: Willie Parker
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs for Asthma
Oct 12, 2010
Acupuncture and Chinese herbs have long been used to treat asthma. It is especially important during the cold and flu season to keep asthma under control. For people with asthma, common colds not only cause sinus headaches and cough, it can also lead to wheezing, asthma attacks, and a cycle of colds which is difficult to stop.
In Chinese medicine, a lack of energy, or qi, is the most common imbalance that leads to asthma. When there is too little qi, people are often very susceptible to getting a cold or flu.
Acupuncture helps to treat asthma by boosting your qi. Acupuncture can help treat symptoms of colds and boost your immune system. Acupuncture points such as Stomach 36 on the legs and Lung 7 on the arms can boost the energy in the body. Kidney 3, near the ankle, is also very effective for boosting energy. Cupping can also help to relieve the feeling of chest tightness and congestion.
Chinese herbs are also very effective to treat asthma. During my training at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, my mentor, Dr. Xiu Min Li, has done extensive research on Chinese herbs for asthma. Much of her research shows that Chinese herbs regulate the immune system and reduce the inflammatory processes associated with asthma.
One formula that is often used to prevent colds with people with asthma is called Jade Wind Screen, or in Yu Ping Feng San in Chinese. This simple formula is good for boosting qi which protects the body from getting a cold. It has huang qi (astragalus), bai zhu (atractylodes), and fang feng (siler). Huang qi and bai zhu boost qi, while a small amount fang feng works to attack germs which you may come in contact with. I find the mushroom reishi also to be helpful for preventing colds with those with asthma.
Read what our patients are saying about acupuncture for asthma.
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