The effectiveness of acupuncture as a method of pain relief is well-established. It provides a natural treatment option that can be useful for recent injuries as well as chronic conditions. At Chang Acupuncture in San Diego, we specialize in acupuncture for pain management and relief, and our licensed acupuncturist, Eric Hollander, L.Ac., provides experienced, professional, and personalized care.
Treating the Symptoms, and the Cause
According to traditional acupuncture theory, pain is caused by a blockage of energy (Qi) flow through the body. Injuries can cause many types of blockage, such as spasms, swelling, inflammation, and bruising. While many conventional treatments simply mask the pain, acupuncture can effectively eliminate the blockage to speed healing. This approach addresses not only the symptoms, but also the underlying cause of the pain.
Acupuncture produces pain management and relief by:
Typically, low back pain results from strains (muscle tears), sprains (overstretched ligaments), herniated disks, and sciatica (term for the pain that results from irritation of the sciatic nerve. This type of pain normally extends from the low back through the buttocks and down into the leg). At our San Diego acupuncture clinic, lower back pain and sciatica are the most common pain complaints. Acupuncturist Eric Hollander, L.Ac., has extensive experience identifying and treating pain of the lower back and sciatica.
A variety of factors can lead to upper back or shoulder pain, including stress, poor posture, whiplash injury, and tendonitis of the shoulder joint. At Hollander Acupuncture, pain management therapy for individuals with upper back or shoulder pain may include a combination of acupuncture and other types of traditional Chinese medicine, such as Chinese medical herbology. Our acupuncturist will develop a safe, effective, and natural treatment plan to address your specific needs.
Acupuncture is most commonly sought by individuals suffering from headaches that do not respond well to traditional pain medication, such as migraines, tension headaches, and sinus headaches. Tension headaches are usually associated with stress, poor posture, vision problems, structural problems, or injury. They have a high response rate to acupuncture after a few weeks of treatment. Sinus related headaches require treatment of the underlying infection, and draining of the sinuses cavities. This can be accomplished well with acupuncture pain relief therapy and herbs.
Migraine headaches, on the other hand, indicate an enduring imbalance in the body that can require patience and consistency to treat successfully. After meeting with a medical doctor to rule out other health conditions that may be causing the headaches, acupuncture pain relief therapy can begin. Treatment typically includes acupuncture combined with Chinese herbal medicine. It is important to commit to acupuncture treatment at least twice weekly for about 8 weeks, regardless of whether a headache is occurring. After this period there should be a noticeable reduction in the frequency and intensity of the headaches. Treatment should be continued once weekly for several more months with continual improvement noted.
With traditional Chinese medicine, arthritis pain management is accomplished through a combination of acupuncture and herbs, and many studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach. The goal of treatment is to help the body heal by restoring normal circulation and energy (Qi) flow. Although arthritis can cause joint pain in any area of the body, knee pain is one of the most commonly treated arthritis-related conditions at our San Diego acupuncture clinic.
Repetitive strain injuries, or injuries which result from repeated motion, typically respond very well to acupuncture, especially when pain management therapy is started early. The goal in treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Tennis Elbow, Golfer’s Elbow, and other common repetitive strain injuries is to stop the inflammatory process occurring in and around the overused tendons. In addition to acupuncture and herbs, allowing the area to rest is mandatory to produce maximum pain relief. Patients may also need to wear a support to protect the area from aggravation during recovery.
Pain relief is one of the most common applications of acupuncture, and treatment can be effective for many types of pain. If you are suffering pain from a condition not described above, please feel free to contact our acupuncture clinic to discuss our pain management therapies. Many patients find that acupuncture can effectively relieve pain even when nothing else has been successful.
For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please contact Eric Hollander, Acupuncturist in San Diego. We specialize in acupuncture for pain management and relief, and we are committed to helping individuals enhance their health through safe, natural, and effective treatments.
After almost 1 year of dealing with the bureaucracy and inefficiencies of the worker compensation system, I gave up on it and decided to take control of my health: this is when I started my treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome with Eric at Chang Acupuncture and Associates, despite my previous doctor opinion that it wouldn't work. I noticed improvements since the first session, the pain diminished gradually, and I didn't need to take anti-inflammatory medicines to control the pain. The strength of my hands improved in a way that today I can do everything that I couldn't do a year ago: I am back to the gym and I can unload my car after going to the grocery store; I do not need help to carry my baby nephew, open jars, dry my hair, take out the garbage, and do many little things that were impossible just 3 months ago. I am still working in front a computer the whole day, and sometimes I play video games with my son. And about that medicines and pain relieving creams that didn't work and are quite expensive... I threw them out in the garbage this New Year's day! Thank you Eric for giving me my life back!
— Najla Abdala, San Diego, CA
Patient Testimonials
I am 43 years old and a mother of 3. I can not say enough about Eric. He is excellent in his craft (Acupuncture). I was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor in my brain July 2007. Immediately after I found out about my tumor, I began to change my diet, began a regiment of Herbs and received intense acupuncture treatment from Eric. When I went back to my endocrinologist almost two months after my diagnosis, I wanted them to take a new blood test to see if my prolactin was down due to acupuncture treatments. My Endocrinologist said to wait until I started my medicine. So, I paid a private agency to have my blood levels checked to see if acupuncture was working. It was! My blood levels had dropped from 67 to 51 in a month. My doctor disagreed with taking herbs and acupuncture. I was prescribed Bromocriptine to help reduce my tumor. I was fearful of the side effects. Eric reassured me that he could help with the side effects by continuing with my herbs and acupuncture. I did this and only took half of the prescribed Bromocriptine, because I believed acupuncture was helping me. I had no side effects and a month and half later I went back to my doctor for a follow up to check my blood levels. My blood levels had dropped to a 7 in less than 2 months. I was back to normal. Thanks to the expertise of Eric, and his acupuncture techniques, my health had improved so well that I recently found out I am pregnant. I wasn’t even trying!
Eric also treats my two older children. My 15 year old daughter suffered from Mono last year, and had continuous irritability, painful periods that make her sick, and extreme back pain. We went to several doctors and they said there is nothing they can do except for her to take Motrin, or get on birth control pills to help regulate painful periods. Over the last year nothing has helped. She has had to miss several days of school and has actually been bedridden during these episodes. After her first two acupuncture treatments from Eric, her cycles are regular and less painful, irritability has drop drastically and her back pain has decreased.
My 18 year old son suffers from anxiety after his first acupuncture treatment from Eric he said he feels much better and is delighted and excited about reducing his anxiety.
— Tracy G.