How Can Acupuncture Help With General Pain?

I get asked all the time – “How does inserting needles into my body stop pain? How does acupuncture work?” Many patients are amazed the first time their pain is reduced through acupuncture.

Pain has been described by Chinese Medicine practitioners for thousands of years is by the term ‘stagnation’. In western terms I often relate this stagnation to muscles, tightening up in response to pain or injury and restricting blood flow to the area. The body needs fresh oxygenated blood containing nutrients and white blood cells to repair and eliminate pain.

Acupuncture can increase blood flow and stimulate the secretion of endogenous opioid endorphins in the body (1).

 

 

“If there is free flow, there is no pain; if there is pain, there is lack of free flow.” –  Huang Di Nei Jing.

At Bloom Chinese Medicine we use a combination of several methods to create this free flow effect:

1. Local needling – increases blood flow at the pain sight and stimulated a healing response

2. Distal needing – increases systemic blood flow, regulates immune system and releases endorphins

3. Cupping – moves blood in the local area.

4. Balance Method – needling in specific (usually tender) areas with correlate to the area of pain, creating an instantaneous relief from pain and increate in movement.

5. Moxa – rolled mug wort, burnt and held above the skin to warm, increase blood flow. Mugwort also has therapeutic healing properties.

6. Herbs – certain herbal formula can assist with increased circulation, reduced inflammation and pain relief

If you live on the Sunshine Coast and are in need of pain relief, why don’t you book an appointment to see what acupuncture can do for you. 

Until next time,

Dr. Bree Wilkes-MacKinnon

 

1. B. Pomeranz, Acupuncture analgesia—basic research

2. Stux, R. Hammerschlag (Eds.), Clinical Acupuncture, Scientific Basis, Springer, Berlin (2000), pp. 1-28

Dr Bree Wilkes-Mackinnon

About the Author:
Dr Bree has always been driven to discover the intricacies of the mind, body and our ability to heal and self-regulate. This is what originally lead her to becoming a natural health practitioner, and to this day drives her to continually learn new methods and techniques. She is passionate about using a holistic approach, including diet and lifestyle to address the cause as well the symptoms and works with her patients to aim for long term sustainable results. You can read more about Dr Bree here.

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Shop 2/106 Sixth Avenue, Maroochydore, QLD, 4558

Monday: 8:30am- 8.00pm

Tuesday: 9:00am – 8:00pm

Wednseday: 9:00am-8:00pm

Thursday: 8:30am – 8:00pm

Friday: 9:00am- 7:00pm

Saturday: 9:00am – 12:00pm

 

 

Bloom Chinese Medicine is an integrative Chinese medicine and acupuncture clinic committed to providing the best outcomes for our patients, and empowering them along their journey to optimal fertility and wellness. Centrally located in Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast, we have visitors from local suburbs and all over Queensland.

Proudly servicing Buddina, Maroochydore, Mooloolaba, Alexandra Headland, Buderim, Kawana, Minyama, Parrearra, Warana, Birtinya, Bokarina, Wurtulla, Little Mountain, Caloundra, Aroona, Bells Creek, Meridian Plains, Palmview, Sippy Downs, Mountain Creek, Kuluin, Kunda Park, Diddillibah, Twin Waters, Pacific Paradise, Mudjimba, Marcoola, Bli Bli, Coolum, Yaroomba, Yandina, Ninderry, Valdora, Peregian Springs, Peregian Beach, Doonan, Noosaville, Noosa, Noosaville, Tewantin, Doonan, and Nambour.