How does acupuncture and Chinese Medicine look at and treat pain? Why is it a successful approach for a variety of types of pain, both acute and chronic?
Pain, which can include fatigue, is a necessary response to issues such as injury. We forget when we take OTC medications that reduce sensations of pain that we are potentially doing harm. Pain, after all, can prevent further injury by making sure we protect ourselves, not overdo it, and avoid re-injury.
Pain is one of the most common reasons people seek out acupuncture, whether it’s chronic or acute in nature. Here at the clinic we see a wide variety of common pain conditions. This includes, but is not limited to, headaches, back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, elbow pain (golfer’s/tennis elbow), hand/wrist pain (including carpal tunnel syndrome), knee pain, foot/ankle pain, hip/sciatic pain, pain associated with menses and pregnancy, and more. We have treated pain from a wide variety of causes: surgery, injury, bell’s palsy, overuse, shingles, arthritis, and so on.
Acupuncture and other modalities in Chinese Medicine, are helpful in treating pain conditions by improving local blood flow, assisting the release of endorphins (our body’s natural pain killers), addressing scar tissue, relaxing muscles and tendons, and promoting an overall sense of well-being.
A treatment at Montavilla Community Acupuncture for pain can occur during an individual session as well as during our walk-in hours. Individual sessions might include other modalities such as electrotherapy/microcurrent, moxibustion, cupping, gua sha, heat therapy, use of Chinese herbal liniments or massage oil, and bodywork.
Testimonials by patients
Acupuncture treatments with Mia have improved my chronic shoulder pain (arthritis and tendonitis) to such a degree that I am able to engage in activities that were getting too painful. It is such relief to find myself living comfortably with this condition. GW, SE Portland
