What is acupuncture?
During acupuncture, your provider at Coastal Pain Medicine inserts thin needles into specific areas called acupuncture points or acupoints.
Strategically placing the needles into certain acupoints leads to several biochemical reactions in your body. The needles stimulate nerve activity and trigger the release of chemicals and hormones that affect your body’s internal regulating system.
Acupuncture boosts neurotransmitters that relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Additionally, studies suggest that acupuncture can improve nerve connectivity in the part of your brain that regulates pain.
The improved energy and balance produced by acupuncture boosts your body’s natural healing ability. Over the course of your acupuncture treatments, your physical and emotional well-being are restored.
What health conditions are treated with acupuncture?
Dr. Brennan and the team may recommend acupuncture to treat many different conditions, including:
- Headaches
- Low back pain
- Neck pain
- Knee pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Osteoarthritis
- Sciatica
- Sprains
- Facial pain
Studies show that acupuncture is especially effective for relieving pain due to chronic musculoskeletal conditions, headaches, and osteoarthritis.
What should I expect during an acupuncture treatment?
The needles used for acupuncture are different from the needles used for medical injections. Acupuncture needles are very small, small enough to fit into the opening at the tip of a normal injection needle.
They’re also tapered and have a doweled end rather than a cutting end, making them much less likely to cause pain, tissue damage, or bruising.
Some patients feel a slight prick when the needle is inserted while others don’t feel a thing. You may not feel the needle insertion in one area of your body but feel it briefly in a different area.
After the needles are inserted, you lie still and relax for a short time. You should not feel pain, but you may feel a sensation around the site of the inserted needle.
This sensation, described as tingly, numb, warm, bursting, or dull, may also spread out from the needle or travel up or down the targeted treatment area.
Your provider may apply a mild electrical stimulator to the needle to enhance your treatment. This procedure may cause a tingling sensation.
How many treatments will I need?
Some patients may only need one treatment, but most get 4-8 acupuncture sessions to get the best results. Patients who have chronic conditions may only get temporary relief lasting 3-12 months, then they need maintenance treatment.
To schedule an acupuncture session, call Coastal Pain Medicine or schedule an appointment online.
