Pain and Sports Medicine

Pain

Pain management is the most common condition treated by acupuncture and other Chinese modalities such as Tui Na, cupping, gua sha and Chinese herbal medicine. At Lawrence Acupuncture we have a high success rate of effectively eliminating or significantly reducing pain from many different causes.

Common Pain Management Conditions

Chronic or acute neck and back pain
Trigger point pain and myofascial disorders
Disc herniation or degeneration and sciatica pain
Numbness, tingling and reduced circulation
Frozen shoulder and rotator cuff
Tendonitis (shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, etc)
Headaches and migraines
Osteo-arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
Pre and post surgical pain management (ie, knee or hip replacement)
Fibromyalgia, neuralgia and neuropathies
General muscle tension

Pain Management with Acupuncture

Acupuncture decreases inflammation, relaxes muscles and improves circulation and structural alignment caused by an acute injury, chronic illness, overuse, or an unknown etiology. Acupuncture has also been proven to generate adult stem cells and improve brain function which can relieve pain. Call Lawrence Acupuncture if you are uncertain about whether acupuncture is appropriate for your specific condition.

Sports Medicine with Acupuncture

Athletes frequently suffer from overuse injuries and acute injuries related to their sport of choice. Acupuncture, Tui Na, gua sha and cupping as well as topical applications of Chinese Herbs are all treatments that can speed the healing of sports-related injuries and keep athletes, from the weekend warriors to professionals, active and performing their best. The deep relaxation that occurs during an acupuncture session can also help athletes get in "the zone" and enhance performance.

Trigger Point Acupuncture

One of our specialities is trigger point acupuncture - which is similar to "dry needling" but more effective because it's administered by a practitioner who has years of training in the technique and who also know TCM medical theory.

Trigger points are tight bands, or knots, in a muscle that cause a person to feel referred pain in other areas of the body. Trigger points can be active or dormant and can cause pain sensations that are extremely uncomfortable.

Picture a rubber band: a “healthy” rubber band can stretch and return to its normal length without much effort. But if you tie a knot in the middle of the rubber band, it shortens and no longer can expand and contract properly. This is similar to what happens with muscles. When a trigger point causes a muscle to shorten, it loses strength, range of motion, flexibility and — most importantly — proper function.

In order to remove that knot we have to work it out, using a foam roller, massage, or through acupuncture. By inserting a very thin needle into a muscle fiber that is knotted, you send a signal to the body to release the knot and restore proper function of the muscle.

Acupuncture is one of the most effective ways to release trigger points in the body. When a massage therapist releases a trigger point, it can be very painful: they have to trap the trigger point in the muscle and squeeze with their hand until it is released. Acupuncture uses a tiny needle that allows access into muscles without causing excessive muscle tears and bruising, and quickly releases the trigger point. Many patients feel a "twitch" and then a release in the muscle. The relief is literally palpable!

Be aware that if you are seeking this kind of therapy, always check to make sure your acupuncturist or therapist has thorough training in trigger point release (also known as Intra Muscular Stimulation or Dry Needling). Some practitioners are attempting these techniques after only taking a weekend course. If not performed by an experienced practitioner, deep needling of trigger points can be dangerous and cause nerve damage, pneumothorax, and arterial or organ perforation.

In addition to trigger points, I always add constitutional points to balance a patients overall health, and give them time on the table with the needles to rest and restore their nervous system - a crucial part of any acupuncture treatment!