Acupuncture Pain Management

Additional Treatment Modalities

Herbs - One of the most important treatment modalities in TCM is herbal medicine. Chinese formulas have been successfully used by people in Asia for thousands of years. The theory of

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Tui Na - Traditional Chinese Medicine also includes a bodywork therapy component called Tui Na. Tui Na uses massage, acupressure and

Acupuncture is the most accepted modality of TCM with doctors and insurance companies because it is a great adjunct to the more conventional treatment protocols available in this country. When patients receive acupuncture they can greatly reduce or eliminate pain medicine; have better and more restful sleep; experience reduced stress and anxiety; improve pregnancy rates for infertile couples; reduce nausea from pregnancy or chemotherapy; improve digestion; and experience less depression - all without interfering with the other treatments they may be receiving.

Acupuncture has been featured in countless movies, newspaper and magazine articles, and has been endorsed by popular celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Oprah. To read more about acupuncture Click Here.

Acupuncture is not the only, nor the most important, component of TCM, there are many others too. When you go in for a TCM treatment, you may find that your acupuncturist may choose to use one or more of the treatment modalities featured to the right.

Depending on your condition, your acupuncturist may also prescribe exercise or stretching routines, and may give you nutritional advice to help you recover and maintain your health.

The most popular of these TCM modalities is acupuncture. Acupuncture is the placement

of thread like needles in specific points along energy pathways called meridians, that harmonize and balance the body freeing the body to heal itself.

Chinese herbal medicine is extensive but the basic principle is simple. After reviewing the patient's history, signs and symptoms, as well as viewing the tongue and feeling the pulse, the TCM doctor diagnoses a "pattern of disharmony", and then a formula is prescribed to address the disharmony bringing the patient in to balance and health. When the underlying cause of the problem is alleviated the herbs are discontinued. Our office only uses herbs from reputable companies that adhere to the highest standards. We most often use herbs from Evergreen.

Cups -These are suction cups which are placed at different points throughout the body to stimulate circulation. There are several types of cups - some

with mechanical tools that cause the suction - but the most popular are simple spherical glass cups. Cupping does not hurt, though bruising does occur.

Ear Seeds -Ear seeds are tiny herbal seeds used to stimulate acupuncture points in the ear. Acupuncturists use a very small strip of tape to attach the seeds

to patients' ears. Ear seeds may be left in place anywhere from a few hours to a few days.

Heat - Aside from providing soothing comfort during treatment, sometimes heat can serve as a useful healing tool. Heat therapy increases blood flow, which helps

relax muscles and decrease stiffness. Depending on your medical needs, your acupuncturist may use an infrared light heat lamp or a heating pad to enhance the benefits of your acupuncture treatment.

Infratonic Therapy - Researchers in China found that the use of erratic low frequency sound waves helps reduce inflammation and pain. The results of these

findings led to the production of infratonic devices which emit these types of sounds. Your acupuncturist may place the handle of this device on the part of your body which may benefit the most from this type of therapy.

the muscles around an injured area while still maintaining full range of motion. Kinesio tape is safe and can be worn for several days at a time.

Kinesio Tape - Kinesio taping is a type of therapeutic rehabilitative taping that was developed in Japan over 25 years ago. This flexible tape provides support to

Moxa - Moxa is a Chinese herb that is used to warm acupuncture points. Of the various forms of moxa available, the most popular and easiest to use is the cigar-

like moxa stick. During treatment, the acupuncturist may light one end of the moxa stick and hold it close to the acupuncture point he or she wishes to treat. The only drawback of using moxa is that it does produce a significant amount of smoke and a pungent odor, yet many patients find they do not mind these things once they have experienced the warm and pleasant sensation of a moxa treatment.

Press Needles - There may be times when your acupuncturist will determine that you need constant stimulation on certain accupuncture points. If this is the case, your acupuncturist may use

press needles, which are tiny disposable needles that are taped to those acupuncture points in need of stimulation. Press needles are so small that after application, you may forget they are there altogether; the sensation they produce is similar to that of having a band-aid on. Since the tape used to attach them is waterproof, press needles may be left on for a few days at a time.

tissue manipulation techniques to address the patient's needs. Massage can focus on specific muscles or tendons, while acupressure - which follows the same meridian principles as acupuncture - focuses on applying stimulation to specific acupuncture points. Tissue manipulation techniques are used to realign the musculoskeletal system.

Acupuncture Pain Management | 21320 Hawthorne Blvd.. Suite 225 | Torrance, CA 90503 | (310) 698-3777

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a complete medical system that has been used to diagnose disease and promote health and a sense of well-being for thousands of years. This system was originally developed in China, and because of its proven effectiveness, it is now available world-wide.

Since Traditional Chinese Medicine is a medical system that stands on its own, it is difficult to put its theories in Western medicine terms. Because TCM has its own system of medical terminology - used to describe illness and treatment techniques - it is also difficult to explain the logic of how it works without using its own terminology. Fortunately, the Western world has been able to recognize the effectiveness of TCM treatments even if it hasn't fully understood how it works.

You have probably noticed that medical doctors use different ways to treat and diagnose their patients. If you break a bone, an orthopedic doctor will be called in to reset the broken bone. If you have chest pain, a doctor may order an EKG to make sure your heart is functioning properly. If you have an ear infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotic pills that will kill the bacteria. Similarly, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is comprised of several treatment modalities which your licensed acupuncturist may use to better address your personal needs.