For many people, their introduction to acupuncture comes from their seeking relief from an injury or pain that just isn’t going away despite trying the conventional methods. As an Acupuncturist, I treat pain conditions almost daily, and from this experience, I have adopted a three part treatment to help effectively reduce or eliminate pain.
Paul had been a fairly active guy his whole life. He wasn’t an athlete, but he really enjoyed the outdoors and had a physical job. One day, he was involved in a car accident that landed him with low back pain and pain radiating down his leg. After several physiotherapy sessions, Paul decided he needed a little something extra to get his body back on track. He decided to try acupuncture in addition to his regular physiotherapy sessions.
When I first saw Paul, I assessed what his goals were and developed a treatment plan for him. I saw Paul twice that week, and the next week he reported that his symptoms were much better: less radiating pain and decreased muscle soreness. He was still having trouble with going up stairs and reported that was when his pain was the worst. After two more appointments, Paul reported that he hadn’t been having pain using the stairs anymore and that he had returned to his regular activities.
So, what did we do to get him back on track?
- Acupuncture:
Acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins (the body’s natural pain relieving neurohormone), increases circulation, and promotes a decrease in inflammation to help heal injuries. Using the light microtrauma of acupuncture to signal the body’s innate healing response can be effective as a standalone therapy.
- Tui Na:
Tui Na is a type of functional massage that can be slightly uncomfortable, but really targets problem areas to help loosen tight muscles and increase circulation.
- Cupping:
Although cupping therapy has recently been gaining increased popularity with “cupping marks” and even becoming a trend after last summer’s Olympic games, Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners have been using it for thousands of years. The suction acts to increase circulation, break up stagnation, and decompresses the myofacial tissue, all of which help to heal injuries and increase overall recovery time. There is a reason why the Olympians are using it!
Using this combination of treatment, I have seen positive results in the treatment of cases involving whiplash, sciatica, back pain, IT band syndrome, and more. And, these results apply to both men and women!
If you think you might benefit from these treatments, you might consider booking an appointment with me here.