Acupuncture Delivers Safe, Drug-free Pain Relief

Persistent, physical pain is a common occurrence for many Americans who often find little to no relief from conventional treatments, such as over-the-counter and prescription medications. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies offer additional pain relief options and can often help to reduce or eliminate chronic pain. Acupuncture is part of this complementary alternative approach to traditional medicine and its use is growing rapidly. A National Health Institute Survey found that over 3.1 million Americans have turned to acupuncture for back, neck, joint and headache pain relief.

Acupuncture, a procedure involving the stimulation of specific anatomical points on the body through a variety of techniques, originated in Chinese medicine and is one of the oldest healing practices in the world. Acupuncture is based on the ancient Chinese belief that pain and disease result from a disruption to or imbalance in the energy flow through the body. When used appropriately, acupuncture can correct this imbalance and complements traditional medicine to provide the best health care possible. Acupuncture is generally a very safe procedure with only occasional minor side effects.

Acupuncture is performed with very thin, flexible silver and steel needles (regulated by the US Food & Drug Administration) which are inserted at specific pressure points in the body and left in place for about 15 to 20 minutes. The needles may be rotated by the doctor or stimulated electronically for best results. From reducing pain to minimizing and alleviating the symptoms of chronic illnesses, aacupuncture continues to show effectiveness in clinical tests. Many physician scientists have shown that acupuncture treatments cause the release of endorphins which are natural pain relieving substances found in the brain and spinal cord.

In addition, scientists are studying the effects and outcomes of acupuncture for a variety of conditions and there have been promising findings, especially for low back and neck pain, arthritis and osteoarthritis and also for headaches and migraines. According to clinical practice guidelines issued by the American Pain Society and the American College of Physicians in 2007, acupuncture is one of several CAM therapies physicians should consider when patients with chronic low back pain do not respond to conventional treatment. Studies of acupuncture for chronic neck pain have found that acupuncture provides better pain relief than some simulated treatments and a 2008 review of randomized trials on acupuncture indicate that acupuncture reduces migraine symptoms and is as effective as headache medications. In addition, a 2009 review found that acupuncture may help relieve tension headaches.

Some traditional medical practitioners, especially physicians, have begun integrating acupuncture with other CAM therapies and conventional medicine. Most states require a license to practice acupuncture and patients are advised to check their practitioner’s credentials. An acupuncture practitioner with extensive medical training is an excellent choice for a properly qualified practitioner.

For additional information on using acupuncture for whether acupuncture may be the right treatment option for you, contact Dr. Rick Lambert at the Montvale Health Associates at 201-391-8282 x10 or visit www.montvaleheatlth.com. Dr. Lambert is certified in the practice of Acupuncture, and is Board Certified in Internal and Emergency Medicine.