You've Got Some Nerve

What I'm reading: National Geographic article on how acupuncture eases pain

I often get questions about dry needling versus acupuncture. I never know what to say because dry needling is acupuncture. The difference is the magic a licensed acupuncturist can bring to the table. Those special points that a certificate program doesn't teach. They way I can needle someone's hand and they get immediate back pain relief.

Now we have evidience that acupuncture works better than what they call sham acupucture. Sham acupuncture is putting needles in without the knowlege of the Chinese Medical System. For example, instead of treating the whole body, you feel pain in your arm and you only needle your arm where it hurts.

National Geographic magazine's article "Scientists are finally decoding how acupuncture eases pain", doesn't have any new infomation. What it has is evidence. The article has a paywall. I will hit the highlights.

“High-field functional MRI (fMRI) scans show how stimulation at specific acupoints is associated with changes in brain activity, including regions involved in pain processing and emotional regulation.

Meanwhile, soft X-ray imaging has captured immune cells drifting toward acupuncture needles, where they release pain mediators. Even ultrasounds are helping researchers observe the ripple effect of a needle’s tug in real time and how those effects may vary depending on where a needle is placed.

The team’s findings, recently published in the Journal of Pain, show that both real and sham acupuncture work can provide relief, just not equally. True acupuncture offers much longer-lasting relief of up to 12 weeks in some cases, while relief from the placebo diminished after four weeks.”

Excerpt From

“Scientists are finally decoding how acupuncture eases pain”

Daniel Seifert

National Geographic

https://apple.news/AcKrcBlpzT_iU__69y__ctw

Testimonial I'm loving: Elbow pain

A 29 year old came in with burning elbow pain. She has been going to physical therapy for three months with minimal to no relief. After needling her knee with a handful of needles her pain was reduced by 50% the first session and 100% after the second session.

Quote I'm contemplating: "There is no way to be a perfect mother, but a million ways to be a good one." - Janice Young Brooks (aka Jill Churchill) Happy Mother's Day!!!

Product I'm trying: Stimpod NMS460

Representing Texas at the American Society of Acupuncturist board meeting in Minneapolis last week was incredible. The presentations were exciting and informative. I met up with a friend, Dr Ayla Wolf, who works with neurological conditions in the Minneapolis area. One of the presenters was discussing current research being done on nerve pain. The study has not been published yet, but shows nerve repair after 40-50 sessions.

I have had patients allow me to work on them for 40-50 sessions and I can confirm there is reported relief. Dr Wolf told me about the Stimpod NMS460. Stimpod is a "Pulsed Radio Frequency waveform to treat peripheral neuropathy and chronic intractable pain". It can reduce the number of sessions to 10-20.

Case studies include success with:

• Diabetic neuropathy

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Bell's palsy

• Migraines

• Sciatica

I just started using it in clinic this week and I'm impressed with the results so far. I am offering a steep discount since I am still learning the protocols and need people to work on. I am offering a package of 10 for $500. Sessions are about 15-30 minutes and can be done daily. Please contact me to schedule or if you have any questions.

Song I'm enjoying: Find Your Rest by Solomon Ray

Sciatica, neuropathy, and chronic pain suffers, check out my StimPod NMS460. Sessions are 15-30 minutes with many reporting relief from pain.

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Click here for a PDF of my book, Acupuncture: A Pain Free Approach.

Click here for a link to my new book Building A Thriving Practice.

PS Click on the blue links to learn more about the topic.