More than a quarter of adults in the United States suffer from some form of chronic pain. While traditional Western medicines effectively alleviate symptoms of pain, they only dull the sensation temporarily and do not uproot pain at its source. Also, regular pain therapies rely heavily on drug treatments. Traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture attempt to treat pain entirely through all-natural means and eradicate it from its roots, so it stops permanently. At Gotham Wellness, Stefanie DiLibero uses acupuncture to cure patients of many types of pain. Below, she describes the variety of pain types she treats and a bit about the process of acupuncture therapy.
Acupuncture is one of the oldest healing practices in the world. Though it has only become popular in the West in recent times, it is one of the safest and most effective healing tools. The process of using acupuncture to deal with pain is, in my opinion, far superior to methods used in traditional medicine. Pain medication and over-the-counter pain relievers involve harmful chemicals that can often lead to dependency. Acupuncture, of course, does not. In acupuncture, we generally alleviate symptoms by placing very thin needles (don’t worry, they don’t hurt) into the skin to stimulate specific parts of the body. According to ancient Chinese theory, this practice regulates the flow if qi (vital energy) along the meridians, which in turn yields the desired result. Acupuncture has been effective in treating a wide array of pain symptoms, some of which I will outline.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome. I frequently treat patients for pain associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. This syndrome occurs when the median nerve is compressed at the wrist, leading to numbness and muscle weakness in the hand. Acupuncture near these meridians can effectively alleviate pain stemming from this condition.
- Fibromyalgia. Also referred to as FMS, fibromyalgia is chronic and widespread pain connected to a response to pressure. It can also cause fatigue, sleep disturbance, numbness, and join stiffness. I’ve often treated patients for pain associated with this condition and yielded very promising results.
- Headaches. Acupuncture has been highly effective in reducing migraine symptoms. Acupuncture has also been shown to relieve regular headaches resulting from tension.
- Lower back pain. The American College of Physicians agrees that acupuncture is definitely a treatment sufferers of lower back pain should pursue. They say you should do this in conjuncture with traditional remedies and therapies, but I have had good results treating sufferers of lower back pain without the added help of Western medications.
- Menstrual cramps. Some women suffer from extremely severe menstrual pain and cramps. I have had a number of women come to me for help alleviating menstrual pain.
- Myofascial pain. Myofascial pain is chronic and severe pain caused by localized muscular knots, known as trigger points, found in any skeletal muscle of the body. Acupuncture has had some significant success in treating this condition.
- Tennis elbow. This uncomfortable condition, common among tennis players, is characterized by a sore and tender exterior elbow. Acupuncture can alleviate its pain symptoms.
- Knee pain. Acupuncture has proven effective in treating a wide variety of knee pains and osteoarthritis. Not only does it help heal pain, but many patients have seen improved knee functions as well.
- Chronic neck pain. Acupuncture has consistently effectively treated chronic neck pain. This is something that some patients tell me they once took large amounts of over-the-counter painkillers to treat, and they’re glad that now they don’t have to.
In general, acupuncture is considered safer than more “traditional” pain relievers when performed by an experienced practitioner using sterile needles. There are few to no side effects. And unlike drugs, there is never any risk of chemical dependence. While overall it can be a bit difficult to gauge the effects of placebo in scientifically controlled environments, most people who use the healing power of acupuncture to alleviate pain meet with favorable results. I, for one, have personally seen numerous cases where skeptics and non-believers have been greatly aided by the pain-relieving power of acupuncture.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
