Don’t let yours be about pain!
As kids we saw summer as that long needed break from school and homework. As kids we took advantage of lazy days at the beach or pool, sports camps and family vacations! As adults we embrace the extra free time with our families and enjoy participating in outdoor activities. Now that the days are longer it gives us the opportunity to embrace the sports we love after work…in the daylight!
With this extra “play time” we receive during summer months, we have to make sure we take care of ourselves so we can continue to enjoy our favorite sports all summer long. Rest when we need to and drink LOTS of water to stay cool and hydrated.
As with everything, there is the risk of getting hurt, pulling a muscle, twisting an ankle, over serving a tennis ball and pitching one too many games. When those injuries occur, it is important not to ignore them but to take care of them immediately.
East West Healing Solutions is able to treat and help relieve many sports injuries through a wide range of modalities. Some of the treatments we can help with are Acupuncture, Heat Therapy and Dry Aqua Therapy just to name a few.
Acupuncture:
Did you know we can treat sports injuries by using 5 different types of Acupuncture? The five types of acupuncture East West Healing Solutions specializes in are:
- Traditional Chinese Acupuncture
- Laser Acupuncture
- Auricular Acupuncture
- Electro Acupuncture
- Cosmetic Acupuncture
Exploring Traditional Acupuncture:
Traditional Chinese Acupuncture is the most widely practiced form of acupuncture. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the human body is mapped with “channels” also called meridians through which the energy of the body flows just like blood, lymph or electrical current through our nervous system. Acupuncture consists of inserting fine sterile stainless steel needles into specific points called acupuncture points to remove blockages and imbalances in the body’s energy flow, therefore positioning the body to heal itself.
For the ones of us who like science…
Clinical trials have shown that the insertion of a needle in an acupuncture point stimulates the central nervous system causing the release of neurotransmitters such as endorphins (Beta-endorphin, Dynorphin; natural opiates estimated to be 10-200 times stronger than morphine), serotonin-norepinephrine and encephalin, all substances involved in pain mechanisms.
The use of acupuncture comes with many benefits; it addresses the source of the problem along with its symptoms, it reduces healing time significantly enabling patient to resume normal activities faster and it reduces the incidence of undesirable effects caused by pharmaceutical drugs and the cost associated to them.
Discovering Laser Acupuncture
Laser acupuncture although new to us westerners, has been used and studied for almost 30 years. At East West Healing Solutions, we use Class III B lasers to stimulate acupuncture points. Each point is normally stimulated between 30-60 seconds. For people who either have a phobia of needles or suffer from medical conditions that would make the insertion of a needle contraindicated, this is the best option.
At this time, low level laser therapy is considered investigational by the FDA therefore no medical claims of cure are permitted in the United States.
Beware of what I call “glorified flashlights”! Not all lasers are the same… For more information on low level lasers, go to Cold Laser Therapy section of our website.
Learn About Ear or Auricular Acupuncture
Modern ear acupuncture was first developed by a neurologist; Dr. Paul Nogier in 1957. Auricular acupuncture is a diagnostic and treatment system based on the ability to regulate the body’s imbalances by stimulating reflex points on the ear. It is a microsystem very similar to reflexology or iridology. It can be used as a primary treatment method or as an adjunct to body needling. When stimulated with needles, tacks or seeds, each ear point triggers an electrical impulse, from the ear, via the brain, to the specific area of the body that is being treated.
Understanding Electro-Acupuncture
Electro-Acupuncture was developed around the mid 1900’s. It uses mild electrical currents that conduct through the acupuncture needles into the muscles and tissues to enhance the effect of the treatment and produce faster results. Since electro-acupuncture has been proven to accelerate tissue healing, significantly reduce pain, inflammation, edema and swelling, it is a modality often used in the treatment of stubborn neurological disorders, chronic pain, spasms and sports injuries.
Although considered safe, electro-acupuncture is contraindicated for patients with a pacemaker or history of seizures and epilepsy.
Cosmetic Acupuncture
Cosmetic Acupuncture may not be appropriate for sports injuries, but it is nice to know there is an alternative treatment for cosmetic enhancements!
The non-surgical Mei Zen cosmetic acupuncture procedure is a holistic, natural and comprehensive skin rejuvenation program. Specific facial acupuncture needles are placed in a precise configuration just under the skin’s surface to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. It is an excellent natural alternative to cosmetic surgery facelifts and botox treatments. The protocol requires a 5 consecutive week commitment, receiving 2 treatments per week in order to maximize the end result.
Expectations:
Disappearance of fine lines, smoothing of deep lines, fading of age spots, increased muscle tone, radiant skin, clearing of acne and redness, decreased depression and anxiety symptoms, better digestion and sleep patterns, fewer hot flashes and night sweats.
There are other ways to ease your pain other than acupuncture.
Thermo-therapy or Heat Therapy when used as part of a rehabilitative plan of care, it increases soft tissue elasticity and blood flow, induces muscle relaxation, stimulates tissue, bone and nerve healing, reduces muscle spasms, inflammation, swelling and pain.
Moxibustion is another form of heat therapy. Moxibustion is an analgesic technique in which moxa, a flammable substance derived from the leaves of mugwort plants, is ignited. The technique is intended to warm regions of the body, as well as stimulating blood circulation and energy toward acupuncture points. It is often used as a supplemental treatment to acupuncture.
Dry Aqua Massage is a therapy you will not want to miss! The Aqua PT series machine in our office is specifically designed for medical facilities like ours. It focuses on musculoskeletal pain management and related Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation applications.
Aqua Massage PT provides benefits of Dry Hydrotherapy, Dry Heat Therapy, and Massage Therapy in a multi-functional unit.
Client Benefits
- 20 minutes of aqua massage offers you the same health benefits as a traditional hour-long “hands-on” massage
- You then save not only time but a significant amount of money!
- Patients remain clothed and dry with no post-session clean-up of oils or contaminated water
- The pulsating water jets can be adjusted from a relaxing 2 cycles per second up to an invigorating 10 cycles per second
- The water temperature can be adjusted from approximately 90°F to 104°F using the electronic thermostat
Those are only a few of the services and modalities we use to help relieve pain in our office.
The next time you experience an injury that causes pain, contact us for natural, healing relief!
Remember, make this summer a summer full of pain free memories!
Dr. Marie Perkins, OTR/L, LMT, DOM, Dipl. Ac. – Qualified to Help!
Dr. Marie Perkins works with each of her patients creating and developing a personal healing and health plan, giving them the best course of treatment for the best outcome.
Dr. Marie Perkins is one of the most recognized practitioners in Palm Harbor, Florida as a “non-pharmaceutical” pain specialist.
She is licensed by the National:
• Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy
• Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork
• Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)
Stop hurting and start living! Contact East West Healing Solutions today for a FREE consultation. Discover how we can help you start living pain free again.
Contact Us:
34876 US Highway 19 N
Palm Harbor, FL 34684
Phone: 727-216-3972
Fax: 727-216-3982
Email: drmarie@eastwesthealingsolutions.com/pp3
Web: eastwesthealingsolutions.com/pp3
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