I am frequently asked what some of the top things are that Acupuncture can treat. Acupuncture utilizes your body’s own energy to heal itself and therefore the reach is vast. We are not merely putting a band aid on the symptoms, but by getting to the root of the illness, we are working to resolve the health concern entirely. This is where true healing reigns.
Stress and Anxiety
As New Yorkers, we live extremely fast paced lives. We are rushing from one thing to the next and may often feel overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of what we need to accomplish in a given day. This may include work pressure, family, or financial stress, as well as health concerns. Having Acupuncture in your wheelhouse is essential for relieving pressure and anxiety. While I cannot take the stress triggers away, there are amazing Acupuncture points for changing how your mind and body react to those triggers. In walks a 55 year old male who has been suffering from chronic anxiety. Initially, he presented with chronic anxiety and a heated temper that flared very easily. His baseline was out of control and even the slightest trigger set him off. After just a few weeks, he reports feeling more at ease overall. When things go awry, he no longer sees red. He no longer jumps to react but can calmly get through it more peacefully.
Infertility
Whether it is primary or secondary infertility that you are experiencing, Acupuncture can be the answer to helping your dreams become a reality as you expand your family. Acupuncture on its own or in conjunction with IUI and IVF is indispensable. Acupuncture helps relieve stress during this trying time. It helps assure a proper menstrual cycle and promotes ovulation. It encourages and supports implantation. It is beneficial for those suffering from low ovarian reserve. It can also be helpful in providing support during pregnancy, even for a threatened miscarriage. I thoroughly enjoy treating my fertility patients through their pregnancies and helping encourage cervical ripening for a natural induction. I am often stopped in the supermarket by patients pushing strollers who point to their babies and say, this is one of yours!
Back pain
Both acute as well as chronic back pain are quite common. Occasional back pain may flare up from an old injury or increased stress. Back pain may be from overuse, as well as from lack of stretching, and getting stuck in a position for too long. Back pain can be local or can travel and radiate to the legs. The severity varies greatly. Some people are awakened by the pain and cannot find a comfortable position. Often it can limit one’s activities of daily living. Going up and down the steps or standing or walking may be very painful and challenging. I recently began treating a 67 year old female who had such severe back pain that she could not sit during the initial consultation but instead paced back and forth. She told me she had tried everything before coming to my office. After a few sessions of Acupuncture combined with Electric Stimulation, she has tremendous relief and is thrilled to be pain free and able to resume her daily activities.
Headaches
Chronic headaches including migraines, cluster headaches, and sinus headaches are a real detriment to one’s emotional and physical wellbeing. The location of the headache often provides information that correlates to what is going on in the body that is causing the headache. Acupuncture is specific to the individual. Thus, the location can be very indicative of the cause, and immensely helpful as a guide in treatment. The goal is to relieve the headache and stop it from recurring entirely. Migraines with or without aura, with prodromal or light sensitivity, are all treated successfully daily. A 35 year old female suffered from chronic migraines for over 20 years. She is thrilled to have finally found relief and is disappointed she had not tried Acupuncture earlier. She had previously tried numerous medications, including Botox injections, which had terrible side effects, without the promised results. Migraines and stress related headaches are often one sided and located around the temple area. Vertex, or top of the head headaches can represent excessive anger and frustration that is peaking. A frontal headache is often brought on by dehydration. A headache that wraps around may feel like a headband and is often related to inflammation in the body which can be exacerbated by damp rainy weather. Cluster headaches are also known as suicide headaches because the pain is extraordinary. It is wonderful to see how quickly Acupuncture alleviates them!
Digestive Issues
Chronic digestive issues can be very disruptive to your normal daily routine. Many people who are suffering with digestive concerns are classified as having IBS or irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, Colitis, or just a sensitive stomach. Some patients report being afraid to leave their homes in the event they must run to the bathroom with little warning. Others report being glued to the bathroom for long hours in the morning. Not emptying completely or having the runs can be very trying. It can affect your mood and inhibit you from pursuing hobbies or going places that keep you far from the bathroom. In TCM or Traditional Chinese Medicine we offer a holistic approach. We review your entire medical history and assess and treat you as an individual rather than classifying you and trying to fit you into a category. This is where true healing has a chance to shine. A 34 year old male presented with what his gastrointestinal Doctor referred to as Constipation predominant IBS. Before beginning Acupuncture, he had tried multiple medications in an effort to resolve the constipation. They often lead to excessive and constant diarrhea. He had loud audible and painful gurgling. It stopped him from being productive at work as he was constantly running to the bathroom. He really assumed he would have to live with either constipation or diarrhea and would not find a proper solution. Acupuncture was amazing for him. We were able to find that precise balance allowing him to have daily bowel movements. He no longer suffers from constipation. He no longer has awful bouts of diarrhea. He remains on maintenance Acupuncture treatments coming in once a month to make sure he stays on track. His stomach and gastrointestinal concerns are a nightmare that has finally ended and is truly in the past.
What is your top health concern? Allow Acupuncture to help you resolve your stress and ailment and put you on the fast track road map of healing naturally. Stop procrastinating today, for a better more wholesome tomorrow!