Did you know, 86% of patients experience moderate, severe or even extreme pain after surgery? Especially those who have had recent surgery to joints, knees, rotator cuffs and the meniscus. Western medicine approaches pain management with medications causing severe and undesirable side effects. Side effects from analgesics or more commonly known as pain killers can range from nausea, sedation, dizziness and even addiction.
There is a natural, safe and chemical free solution to pain management; acupuncture. Not only is acupuncture an effective, natural solution to pain management but it actually speeds up the healing process by enhancing the body’s ability to reduce inflammation, increase blood flow and normalize muscle tone.
What Is Traditional Chinese 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.
How Does It Work To Relieve Pain?
To understand how acupuncture works to relieve pain, it is important to know how pain is diagnosed in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The focus in NOT on where the pain is but more on the NATURE of the pain. For example, it is important to know if the pain is:
- Sharp versus dull
- Acute versus chronic
- Intermittent versus constant
- Alleviated or aggravated by applying pressure, ice, heat etc.
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, serotonin-norepinephrine and encephalin, all substances involved in pain mechanisms. Once these neurotransmitters are stimulated and released into the body, pain begins to subside.
ACU FACT: Acupuncture sending signals to the brain via the spinal cord, activating an increased production of endorphins (aka “pain relief” hormones) to the body. These endorphins are 200 times MORE potent than morphine!
What Are The Benefits of Acupuncture After Surgery?
The use of acupuncture comes with many benefits! Acupuncture:
- Addresses the source of the problem along with its symptoms,
- Reduces healing time significantly enabling patient to resume normal activities faster
- Reduces the incidence of undesirable effects caused by pharmaceutical drugs and the cost associated to them
- Accelerates the healing process
If you are scheduling surgery or have just begun the post operative recovery process, consider minimizing your pain and accelerate the healing process by receiving acupuncture.
About Dr. Marie Perkins:
Dr. Marie Perkins, OTR/L, LMT, DOM, Dipl. Ac. is one of the most recognized practitioners in Palm Harbor as a “non-pharmaceutical” pain specialist.
Born and raised in Quebec City Canada, Dr. Perkins received her Bachelor Degree in Occupational Therapy from University Laval in 1993.
Her passion led her to leave everything behind and immigrated to Florida in 1995. She proceeded with acquiring her Massage Therapy license from Bahkti Academy in 1999 and her Master’s Degree in Oriental Medicine from the Florida Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2004.
Her goal for founding East West Healing Solutions was to be a pioneer in the community working at bridging the gap between Eastern and Western Medicine. She has established strong partnership with Medical Doctors, Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, Orthopedic Surgeons, Neurologists, Pain Management Physicians, Doctors of Chiropractic, Rehabilitative Specialists, Athletic Directors, Coaches and Personal Injury Attorneys in the community proving not only that it can be done but also that a cohesive team approach is often the most efficient way to help a patient.
“Over the years I have continued to add to my knowledge in order to be able to help as many patients I possibly could. Most of the time, a joint effort from Western and Eastern Medicine is required to obtain optimal health. For that reason, patients should proactively seek a team of highly trained professionals in various fields, all working toward one common goal; the PATIENT’S best interest. Your health portfolio should be built with the same concepts as your financial portfolio; diversification is the key!”, Dr. Marie Perkins tells her patients.
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