Can Acupuncture Ease My Pain?

Can Acupuncture Ease my Pain?
by Andrea Tapia

According to the US News & World Report, Americans spent an estimated $34 billion in out of pocket costs on alternative medicine in 2007. Since then, health insurance companies have been making a shift in covering alternative treatment methods. Acupuncture has gained popularity with healthcare as research provides increasing beneficial evidence in pain management. Acupuncture has evolved from the treatment of smoking addictions and stress relief, to becoming the cornerstone of many Western treatment methods.

Acupuncture involves the insertion of needles to restore the flow of energy within the body, also known as “Qi” (pronounced “CHI”). When administered by a Certified Acupuncturist, certain trigger points can be stimulated within the body, which affects the sensory neurotransmitters and hormones associated with pain. These points release endorphins, increase blood flow, and thereby initiate healing and the reduction of pain.

In a 2001 pilot study, patients with low back pain were examined and treated with acupuncture over a period of twelve months. Over 80% of those evaluated benefited from acupuncture treatment and showed a decrease in low back pain and other related symptoms. 

More recent meta-analysis studies showed short-term improvements on pain scale when compared to placebo, demonstrating significant improvements in neck and back pain, chronic headaches, and osteoarthritis pain.

According to ABC NEWS, “Research studies consistently show that acupuncture can be an effective form of pain management, with some studies finding it even more effective than pain-relieving drugs or surgery.” With ongoing information surrounding the benefits of acupuncture in place of or in addition to current treatment modalities, such as Physical Therapy, it would be difficult for the consumer to disregard.

If you are experiencing any form of back pain, neck pain, or chronic headaches, you may benefit greatly from looking into alternative treatments such as acupuncture. Dr. David Chu is Board Certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation as well as a Certified Acupuncturist. Dr. Chu treats hundreds of patients utilizing acupuncture and other treatment methods effectively.

Request an appointment here.

REFERENCES:

Manheimer E, Cheng K, Linde K, et al. Acupuncture for Peripheral Joint Osteoarthritis. Cochrane database of systematic reviews (Online). 2010; (1):CD001977. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001977.pub2.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3169099/

Neport, Liz. A Close-up Look at Acupuncture for Pain. Good Morning America.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/close-acupuncture-pain/story?id=23411898 Published April 22, 2014. Accessed September 8, 2015.

O’Connor, Anahad. Acupuncture Provides True Pain Relief in Study. The New York Times. September 11, 2012. http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/11/acupuncture-provides-true-pain-relief-in-study/?ref=topics&_r=0. Accessed September 8, 2015.

Renter, Elizabeth. Does Your Health Insurance Cover Alternative Medicine? U.S. News & World Report. http://health.usnews.com/health-news/health-insurance/articles/2015/03/09/does-your-health-insurance-cover-alternative-medicine. Published March 9, 2015. Accessed September 3, 2015.

Vickers AJ, Cronin AM, Maschino AC, et al. Acupuncture for Chronic Pain: Individual Patient Data Meta-analysis. Arch Intern Med. 2012;172(19):1444-1453. doi:10.1001/archinternmed.2012.3654.

http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1357513

Wilkinson J, Faleiro R et al. Acupuncture in Pain Management. Oxford Journals (Online). 2015. doi:10.1093/bjaceaccp/mkm021 http://ceaccp.oxfordjournals.org/content/7/4/135.full.pdf+html

Is Sitting Down A Silent Killer?

Is Sitting Down A Silent Killer? by Andrea Tapia

There is no doubt we spend the majority of our day seated. If you work a standard 9-5, chances are you're contributing to more than eight hours a day sitting.  Take a moment to consider the day; working, commuting, eating, watching television, and the list goes on.

Associated Health Risks

The negative effects of prolonged sitting include narrowing of the chest cavity. This reduces the body’s lung expansion thereby diminishing oxygen intake, which then circulates throughout the blood stream. Limited oxygen uptake reduces blood flow to muscles, joints, ligaments and vital organs such as the brain, making concentration difficult.

Muscle Imbalance

Sitting for prolonged periods can also disrupt the body’s homeostasis. Altering this physical equilibrium leads to muscle imbalance. According to Dr. Rainegale Pesidas, DPT,

“If this is not corrected the results can include poor circulation, decreased flexibility, muscle weakness, and chronic pain.”

 Muscle imbalances associated with sitting can be categorized into two groups: inactive and overactive muscle groups.

• Inactive muscles, such as the abdominals, gluteus complex, and those of the upper back, begin to atrophy causing muscle weakness.
• Overactive muscles, such as the chest, hip flexors, and low back begin to compress causing nerves, arteries, and veins around these joints to become blocked. Blockage of any kind is not something to be ignored and can cause symptoms of tingling or numbness down the limbs. 

Seated posture also contributes to inactivity, accelerating disc degeneration and disc herniation. Alongside these physical risks, a sedentary lifestyle has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and decreased lifespan.

What Can I Do Right Now?

Move that body!

Reducing the amount of time spent sitting can help reduce back pain and neck pain. Make time for your health. Set reminders throughout the day to get up from your desk. Take time to stretch, walk around, and disconnect from your workstation. If you’re watching television take the time between commercials to be active or finish household chores. The body was meant for movement, don’t waste your days idle.

Long Term Prevention & Current Pain Management

If you are experiencing pain from prolonged sitting, any of our Physicians on staff understand and treat a variety of pain conditions and spine related injuries.  Let us help you develop the right treatment plan for you. Physical Therapy has also shown to help reduce and eliminate pain caused by prolonged sitting. Improving muscle function, motor control, muscular endurance and strength can not only alleviate current pain, but also prevent future reoccurrences.

Are you suffering from back pain or neck pain and don't know which doctor to see? Give us a call at 212-488-9600 or click here to request an appointment.

References:

http://www.juststand.org/Tools/SittingCalculator/tabid/866/language/en-US/Default.aspx

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/too-much-sitting-may-have-some-serious-health-effects--even-if-you-exercise/2015/01/26/d0345a4a-a250-11e4-b146-577832eafcb4_story.html

http://www.spine-health.com/blog/new-health-epidemic-sitting-disease

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3477898/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4373888/