Acupuncture

Pain and Injuries

For many people, acupuncture is an effective means of relieving pain. The World Health Organization and US National Institute of Health have independently approved acupuncture for the treatment of pain syndromes and a variety of other conditions.
At the Elements of Health Centre, our approach to treating acute and chronic pain syndromes draws from both traditional and modern acupuncture techniques.

Traditional Acupuncture

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, pain is the result of points of blockage within energy pathways in the body. Acupuncture releases the blockage and promotes the free flow of energy. The physiological response to this is an increase in endorphins (the body’s natural pain killer), a decrease in pain, reduced inflammation, and increased circulation within the joints and muscles throughout the body.

Modern Acupuncture

Motor point needling is a more modern form of acupuncture rooted in Western science and anatomy. It employs manual muscle testing to determine any weaknesses or dysfunctions. Needles are then inserted to stimulate the neuromuscular junction. Motor point needling corrects muscle group imbalances by encouraging tight muscles to lengthen and relax while the opposing weaker muscles are able to fire and contract more effectively. Our practitioners have completed extensive training in motor point needling.

Conditions We Treat

We provide a unique blend Eastern and Western acupuncture to effectively treat the following acute or chronic pain conditions:

• Pain due to motor vehicle accidents
• Neck tension, headaches, migraines
• Shoulder pain, rotator cuff injury, frozen shoulder
• Tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome
• Low back pain, sciatica
• IT band syndrome, knee pain
• Hamstring or calf muscle strains
• Achilles tendonitis, sprained ankles
• Post-surgery pain (orthopedic or visceral)
• Disk injuries
• Arthritis
• Chronic pain

Chronic Pain

While acute pain is a normal sensation triggered in the nervous system to alert you to possible injury and the need to take care of yourself, chronic pain behaves differently. Acute pain is a temporary condition, while chronic pain persists and can cause pain signals to continue firing for weeks, months, and even years.
Chronic pain typically develops from an unresolved injury or disease process. Some people, however, experience long-term pain even in the absence of an initial injury or pathology. Some common chronic pain complaints include: headaches, low back pain, fibromyalgia, cancer pain, arthritis, neurogenic pain (pain resulting from damage to a nerve), and psychogenic pain (unexplained pain in the absence of injury or disease).

Acupuncture for chronic pain

Acupuncture can be particularly helpful for chronic pain. It can reduce swelling and inflammation as well as stimulate a release of endorphins to reduce pain. Clinical investigators have tested chronic pain patients and found that they often have lower than normal levels of endorphins in their spinal fluid. In clinical trials with acupuncture, testing has shown higher levels of endorphins in patients following treatment.

Acupuncture is also effective at addressing the emotional component of chronic pain. People struggling with chronic pain conditions often find themselves dealing with depression and mental-emotional stress. Pain can become all-consuming and may interfere with daily living as well as compromise a person’s quality of life.