Acupuncture is most known for and researched in the United States for the treatment of pain, and research continues to show acupuncture outperforming placebo and most times Western pain medications. Joseph Tonzola has seen hundreds of cases with pain as the main complaint, and he continually sees acupuncture work to decrease and even eliminating pain.
Acupuncture for pain management
Acupuncture, is based on a system of energetic channels called meridians. Energy or “Qi” is said to flow within these meridians. When there is free flow of energy, there is health. When there is blockage there is disharmony within the entire circular system. Pain is a result of this blockage of energy. Needling acupuncture points effectively frees the flow of energy, therefore restoring balance and decreasing pain. It works.
Commonly treated pain complaints
Joseph Tonzola has used acupuncture very effectively for the treatment of the following pain complaints: abdominal pain and IBS, ankle and foot pain, elbow pain, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, hand and wrist pain, headache and migraine, knee pain, low back and hip pain, pelvic pain, neck shoulder and back pain, and TMJ/jaw pain.
Abdominal Pain can be the result of many different disease processes that from a Chinese medical perspective inhibits the free flow of energy and blood within the abdominal area. Some examples of disease processes or procedures where acupuncture has been clinically proven to reduce the pain symptoms associated with the disease or procedure include the following: irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), biliary and renal colic, endometriosis, and post abdominal surgery.
Fibromyalgia is a condition that is diagnosed when 11 of 18 tender points are found in specific locations on the body. Other symptoms associated with fibromyalgia include fatigue, jaw pain and tightness, tension headaches, memory and concentration problems, numbness and tingling in the hands and feed, and reduced ability to exercise.
Specialized acupuncture techniques such as trigger point acupuncture can be very helpful in releasing the tight and painful places associated with fibromyalgia. Acupuncture is also very helpful in decreasing stress and increasing deep relaxation both of which are extremely helpful in alleviating the many associated symptoms of this condition. Acupuncture can be used in conjunction with Chinese herbal medicine and lifestyle changes to help treat the underlying problems and in treating the disease more from the root.
For research related to acupuncture and fibromyalgia, click here.
In Chinese medicine headaches can be caused by different pathogenic factors and blockage such as wind, dampness, and qi or blood stagnation. Joseph Tonzola has found acupuncture a very effective way to restore balance and relieve headaches. For more information, visit the anxiety & migraines page.