A
Biomedical Explanation:
"The main
benefits of Acupuncture can be summarized as follows:"
- Normalization of Autonomic Nervous Dysfunction
- Control of Pain
- Anti-inflammation
- Surgical Anesthesia
- Control of Addictions
- Regeneration
-Dr J. Wong MD, PhD.
Despite
Western Medicine's rapid advances in many areas Doctors and Patients are still looking for an effective treatment of pain
without the deleterious side effects of pharmaceuticals: Acupuncture involves a physical,
invasive stimulus which generates an impulse to the nervous system
upon insertion. The Pathway of the impulse produced by the needle-stimulus most likely involves the following→ Peripheral Nerves, Spinal Nerves, Spinal Cord, Mid-brain, Hypothalamus, Thalamus, Cerebral
Cortex In these Nervous system structures biochemical influences occur
involving hormones and neurotransmitters (Known as 'Qi' & 'Substances'
in Chinese Medicine) influencing pain transmission.
ACUTE:
Acupuncture generates the following
changes in Inflammation:
• Subsidence of swelling
and bruising
• Normalization of local temperature
• Relief of pain
• Restoration of normal functioning
♦ Injury
♦ Pre or Post-operative
♦ Analgesia
CHRONIC:
Pain remains the most common reason for a visit to a physician
in the U.S with a total cost of over $100 Billion annually; Chronic pain (pain for a period
of more than 6-8 weeks) can be debilitating and is the leading cause of morbidity worldwide. Persistent pain or 'chronic
pain syndrome' has documented economic, social and psychological implications; Chronic pain commonly bring issues
with sleep, stress, diet, weight, mood and addictions; Acupuncture tailored to your particular
pain experience will aim to improve treatment outcomes and improve your quality of life:
Acupuncture aims to 1. Control or Eliminate the pain
2. Help the body cope with the pain
•It is commonly known that Acupuncture
promotes regeneration and healing: EMG studies have shown an enhanced recovery
from traumatic peripheral nerve injury even when muscles are partially de-nervated. As far back as the1970s physician's
used electrical stimulus to regenerate bone; physical stimulus + the meridian stimulus + electric field in concert promote
regeneration and healing.
•Acupuncture
aims to facilitate the patient's own pain-relief mechanism through the
Peripheral and Central nervous systems: breaking the vicious cycle of prescription pain medication overuse + side-effects
acts to improve the patient's overall well-being.
•Good pain management is very responsive to the Holistic Approach; Acupuncture is also useful in the control of depression, fatigue, constipation, impotence/loss
of libido, sleep or mood disorders and addictions.
•Acupuncture has
been found to be effective for both pathological and physiological pain while
TCM's holistic diagnostic approach is superior in meeting the individual needs of
the patient dealing with Chronic pain.