The medical journal, Headache, offers strong proof for the efficacy of acupuncture for migraines. A study published in 2002 stated, "Acupuncture proved to be adequate for migraine prophylaxis [prevention]. Relative to flunarizine, acupuncture treatment exhibited greater effectiveness in the first months of therapy and superior tolerability.”
In laymen's terms, this means that acupuncture can be used more effectively than a commonly prescribed medication. Except acupuncture doesn't come with the same side effects list as flunarizine: Drowsiness, weight gain, nausea, heartburn, dry mouth or anxiety. It is also highly unlikely that acupuncture will give you skin rashes, depression, muscle aches, tremors or any of the other possible side effects of the above pharmaceutical. Better results without the negative impact of a medication. The math is pretty simple here. Get some acupuncture for your migraines today. See our website at www.fortcollinsacupuncture.com for more information. Part of my suggested treament for back pain injuries includes rest. This, I know, is very hard for some people, especially in our uber-active community.
Acupuncture is very effective for back pain. It is recommended by the World Health Organization, the National Institutes of Health, the American Pain Society, and the American College of Physicians. Its use triggers the natural release of opioids, chemicals from your brain that lessen pain and promote sleep. But effective treatment does require that you allow the muscles to completely heal before returning to your usual activities. 90% of my back pain acupuncture patients get to the point of feeling much better and then blow it, re-injuring their backs. Don't blow it. Continue to rest until the process is complete. I started Fort Collins Acupuncture in 1999 because (at the time) there were few opportunities outside of Denver for people to receive acupuncture. Over the years, acceptance of the practice has grown, and we have been privileged to serve patients from all over northern Colorado and parts of southern Wyoming.
At Fort Collins Acupuncture our main goal is to provide affordable and effective care. We have a reputation for excellence in understanding our patients’ health concerns, and for our extensive experience treating patients in northern Colorado. Fort Collins Acupuncture helps people with many conditions, including headaches and migraines, shoulder, neck and back pain, sports injuries, pain from auto accidents, colds and flus, asthma, menopausal symptoms, and stress. I'm always happy when patients don't need me, but if there's a little something (or a BIG something) that's not quite right, come see me. I can help. www.fortcollinsacupuncture.com The Mayo Clinic notes here that weather plays a role in the frequency of your migraines. Especially as spring weather whips up the winds and changes the temperature radically, I see my migraine patients much more. The changes in barometric pressure seems to bother many people. For others, the changing temps disrupt the flow of yummy brain chemicals like serotonin.
Mayo Clinic suggests you track your headaches in a diary, avoid being outside on the windy days, and take preventative migraine medicines. I suggest that you come see me. Within 3 to 5 appointments, we can typically get those symptoms under control and keep them under control with a specially formulated herbal formula for headaches. If you've got the beginnings of a headache, get on my schedule. Let's keep you moving forward! Scalp acupuncture is a branch of acupuncture that was enhanced and made public by Professor Ming Qing Zhu. An internationally recognized speaker, educator and acupuncturist, Zhu was one of the first to pioneer the approach I use when working with people affected by neurological disorders or injuries like strokes.
Using very fine needles on the scalp, I target the zones of the brain that have been impacted. This work can dramatically reduce pain, improve motor function and muscle tone, and improve overall quality of life. According to a paper on Dr. Zhu's website, “Scalp acupuncture represents yet another alternative healing modality whose underlying philosophy and successful clinical track record does not negate, but rather supplements, conventional medicine's many important contributions. If we can set aside our progress-inhibiting illusions of knowledge and attempt to open-mindedly integrate divergent healthcare perspectives, such as scalp acupuncture, we will have an expanded healing spectrum that can only benefit people with disabilities.” Do call if you or a loved one would benefit from stroke rehabilitation acupuncture. (970) 223-4422. Sometimes an acute injury sort of resolves. You find you can work around it if you sit or stand just right, don't move too fast and skip the bottom cupboards in your kitchen. (Who really needs a bundt pan anyway?)
If this is you, stop reading and make yourself an appointment for acupuncture. Acupuncture for back pain is a powerful tool for acute conditions, but it is also very effective on older injuries. The World Health Organization has stated that "acupuncture is comparable with morphine in its effectiveness against chronic pain, but without the adverse effects of morphine, such as dependency." Really, it's that good. One word of caution. If things get worse before they get better, don't worry. And don't stop coming! Moving your body back through the injury may cause a bit of discomfort as it unravels the problems. Going back through the place of initial injury and then resolving it at its root is what will have you standing and sitting up straight again. You may even be able to finally reach the cake pan! The first question most new patients ask me is, "Do the needles hurt?" No. They really don't.
The second question is almost always, "How many treatments will I need to undergo?" This is an understandable query. Making time in your day and paying for supplemental treatments can add up. The good news is, most people see drastic improvement in 3 to 5 treatments. Some feel much better after 1! If we can't make a dent in your pain in the first 3 sessions, acupuncture isn't going to solve the problem and I won't continue recommending it. I don't suggest people keep coming once a week forever and ever, amen. Acupuncture should resolve acute issues within 2 weeks. So, if your worry about cost and time are the thing keeping you from trying acupuncture, fear not. The pain will stop. Contact us at www.fortcollinsacupuncture.com for an appointment. Acupuncture for Migraines Improves your Quality of Life
In 2005, the journal, Headache, printed a study stating, "Supplementing medical management with acupuncture...resulted in improvements in quality of life and the perception by patients that they suffered less from headaches.” I like the first word of that sentence – supplementing. Acupuncture is meant to integrate with your healthcare. We complement each other well. When your doctor is stumped or has little to offer, your acupuncturist can often help. This is especially true for chronic conditions like pain and migraines. The opposite is also true. When there isn't much an acupuncturist can do, a medical doctor may have a wealth of possible treatments. In the case of migraines, first do go see a doctor to rule out other possible problems. But if your headaches are only migraines and nothing else, I can help. By using a blend of Chinese herbs, acupuncture, and sometimes massage, I can cut your headaches by as much as 75%. That's one migraine per month instead of one per week. Schedule your migraine acupuncture appointment today. Help is waiting. Acupuncture Treatment with Fort Collins Acupuncture
The number one question people have about acupuncture is, “Does it hurt?” In a word, No. Acupuncture needles aren't syringes like doctors use for shots. Thinner than an average human hair, acupuncture needles are used to stimulate a point on your body like a muscle or an energy channel. Needle placement is just under the skin. Depending on the area of the body, you may not even notice them going in. My approach at Fort Collins Acupuncture is very calming and soothing. Acupuncture is comfortable and relaxing. It leaves you with a sense of well-being and contentment. Plus, you get to lie quietly for up to an hour with no interruptions. That's hard to beat. Don't fear the needles. Schedule with Fort Collins Acupuncture today. Acupuncture is used daily in China and Japan for serious medical conditions. In my post-graduate training at Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China, I remember being amazed by how readily physicians turn to it for major medical problems. Compare that to the United States where, if it is used at all, it tends to be seen as a luxury. Something for a spa treatment day.
We in the U.S. are missing out on a powerful piece of integrated healthcare. Acupuncture for stroke rehabilitation (also known as scalp acupuncture) works by opening up blood vessels to send more blood flow to the brain. It is important to work with someone experienced in stroke rehabilitation acupuncture, because anything encouraging more blood flow after a stroke caused by bleeding in the brain should be carefully monitored. As a part of my own continuing education, I have received many hours of training in this area. I have helped patients get better faster, perform better in self-care, walk, and return to a more normal life. But don't take my word for it. Russ Erickson, MD has this to say on the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture website. “Acupuncture is a safe therapy, and my experience has taught that this is especially true when helping stroke victims. Even discomfort is generally minimal. If one compares the possible positive help to be obtained with the risks associated with acupuncture, my contention is that acupuncture is worthy to attempt for stroke therapy.” |
Scott Blunk, LAc.
An NCCAOM-certified and licensed acupuncturist and herbalist, Scott is passionate about acupuncture and herbal care. Categories
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