Phranque Wright

Acupuncture is helpful in any trimester and can even be used to assist the birthing process. Any well trained Licensed Acupuncturist will know points to avoid during pregnancy. If you have had difficult pregnancies in the past, be sure to let your L.Ac. know that. If this is your first pregnancy let them know that too. If your baby is already doing well, the acupuncture really won't be damaging, if it is a difficult pregnancy, the acupuncture can help and again, a trained professional will know what would be more helpful and avoid anything potentially harmful.

Key thing is to always stay in communication with your practitioners.

Good luck and happy motherhood.

It can be helpful with your joint pain and fatigue for sure, the acupuncturist would need to do a bit of differential diagnosis, because "Lupus" is a western medical term and Chinese medicine diagnosis' differently. With a proper differential the acupuncturist can serve you more precisely.

Find a licensed practitioner in your area, an L.Ac. (Licensed acupuncturist) not just and MD or DC who "does acupuncture too". Find a good qualified practitioner and if you don't like your first choice, shop around a bit to find one who you click with.

Good luck.

There are a variety of ways I would like to answer this question, but it would take a bit of in depth answering, so I will try to keep it short for you.

1. Acupuncture is a modality of Chinese medicine and Chinese medicine looks at the body differently than western medicine even though some things seem to overlap. One of the differences involves how we see colds/flus manifesting in the body. In western medicine it is from a virus and in Chinese medicine it is from the body not adapting to the environment (and hence the virus takes over). In short, both medical styles require the body to be stronger than the virus. So far, so good?

2. In Chinese medicine, part of the process of maintaining balance with the environment includes keeping the blood flowing and the other body systems flowing properly (lymphatic, digestive, sweat glands, etc). If they aren't flowing well, then from a western point of view the white blood cells can't do their job as well, the lymphatic system and digestive systems can't eliminate the waste products as well and the skin and muscles tighten up preventing circulation everywhere.

3. Acupuncture (along with moxibustion and in some cases herbal formulas) keep the systems flowing, remove the tightness in the muscles, air out inflammation areas and coordinate the body's systems to flow more smoothly. To explain all of the intricacies here requires a 4-year medical degree or at least a couple of years of basic TCM theory and differential diagnosis - so I won't go into the nitty gritty, but I hope you can start to see what is happening.

4. Even western medicine is currently realizing that the weather does have a factor in people getting sick (even though the main culprit is the virus). People live with viruses and bacteria all the time, it is when the body functions begin to fail that the microbes start to take over. With acupuncture and other Chinese medical modalities, we focus on strengthening and regulating the body more than killing the virus. This is why there are less side effects and a quicker recovery.

I not only help people prevent flus and colds with acupuncture, moxibustion or dietary and lifestyle advice, I also treat people who are currently active sick. 9 out of 10 who come in with a cold/flu leave with minimal to no symptoms - in effect they go from "day one" to "end of sickness" in the hour that I treat them. Others take an extra day or need to take some herbs to finish it off, but they can pretty much get on with their day when I'm done.

However, I do my acupuncture slightly different than the average L.Ac because I use more needle techniques to eliminate and regulate as opposed to just sticking in needles (which is also helpful but may take the extra day or so).

In short summary; Prevention is done with preparing the body for the season so body can be in harmony with environment (and hence stays stronger than virus) - treatment is done when the patient is already sick and we remove the sickness with needles/moxa/cupping and herbs.

I hope I was able to answer your question.

Acupuncture can always be an adjunct to other treatments or a stand alone treatment for pretty much anything. There are times when other modalities MUST take first precedence, i.e. someone breaks an arm - first one would need to administer first-aid, then (or soon) one would potentially need surgery to reset the bone. Acupuncture can help just before the surgery i.e. reduce swelling relieve pain, regulate bp, etc. Also, acupuncture would be useful just after the surgery - to reduce post-surgical pain, to reduce swellings, to initiate proper blood flow and increase rate of healing, etc.

Acupuncture itself isn't useful if the break needs repair, but it is useful in incidents surrounding surgery itself. Keep this idea as you think about any and all other health conditions. If it cannot help directly, it can help indirectly.

Now, for things we do not NEEDLE. We do not needle into open wounds, we do not needle pregnant women directly over the uterus as the baby develops (i.e. no lower back points or abdominal points surrounding growing fetus/embryo. We have certain points we do not needle while a woman is pregnant, but those same points are quite useful when the mother needs to initiate or help foster or induce labor (help the baby get pushed out - help reduce pain during labor, etc).

We also do not needle into infections, lesions, infected skin areas (covered in staph, etc) and what not. However, acupuncture can help to relieve the causes of such things and/or give relief to such things (increase immunity, relieve pain, etc.).

So, to hopefully answer your question properly - there is nothing that acupuncture cannot help/assist, but there is really no condition that it is not recommended (at least not by those who know it's full potential and proper usage). There is, however, things we do not needle when treating conditions.

Can you see the difference here? I hope I answered your question.

"Cure" is a really strong word that most everyone in the medical field is forbidden to use legally. "Treat" and "Help" are more appropriate to use, as is "Reduce" in cases of hypertension. I have helped people keep their hypertension in check, but lifestyles and diet can exacerbate the issue, so there's really nothing that can keep it gone forever. Though we can help keep it in check, help you cope with stressors in your life, help you evaluate proper diet, etc.

The acupuncture can help calm the nervous system and ease you emotionally and help regulate the hormonal balance as well. So, it can help and it can treat, but "cure" is too strong a word for anyone to use.

I hope this helps and I hope you find a licensed acupuncturist (L.Ac) to help you.

When practiced by a professional who is trained in good needle technique, you don't even need the other medications. I have recently worked on at least three patients this week who came in with a cold and left without one. One even had a flu, and one had seen other acupuncturists but they didn't help.

Find someone who really knows good needle technique.

Good luck.

Many studies show that acupuncture is better for low back pain than pain medications. It works quickly and for longer times too. Once we get to the root of the issue we can get right to the healing.

Find a practitioner who is familiar with muscular pain and you should be better really soon.

I have had great success with fibromyalgia patients using acupuncture. It helps relieve the muscle tensions, heal the muscles and helps you sleep more deeply. Lack of deep sleep is assumed to be one of the factors that leads to fibromyalgia - the time we sleep that lets the body heal isn't reached, so the small tears we get all day build up without the sleep.

The acupuncture can help relieve the tension from the unhealed tissue, help blood flow more easily to help healing continue and helps you sleep so the issue isn't exacerbated.

Find a licensed practitioner who works well with pain. Good luck

I like to say "when western medicine can't find something wrong it is something we can treat." Western doctors using x-rays cannot see the surrounding tissue injuries very easily and doctors don't seem to palpate areas to get a feel for what is happening to the patients muscular tissues or myofascial tissues.

Go see a Licensed Acupuncturist and see if they can help - they have options beyond needling, such as "gua sha" (a scraping tachnique), cupping (a suction technique), Chinese massage, herbs, salves, patches, etc.

Find a licensed Acupuncturist in your area (and L.Ac. not a DC or MD who "does acupuncture). Find one who works with children and is good with muscle pain. Your son should be better soon, since the MD's already ruled out major problems.

Good luck.

I cannot advise the frequency of treatments you need if I don't see you personally, but if you are happy with the seasonal treatments that is a good start. I generally advise my patients to come in each season to stay balanced, but if they need it more (anxiety returns often, stress from life change or work issue, emergency situation, etc) then they should come more.

Keep in mind you can also get acupuncture for pain issues, for colds/flu, for sleep issues and a whole plethora of ailments. So, go when you feel sick for any reason. The amount of times to go, however, is determined by you and your practitioner.

Make sure that you eat before you go in to the treatment i.e. don't go on an empty stomach. Be sure to rest well the night before if you can. Dress in loose fitted clothing or in layers or bring some shorts so that many body parts can be exposed easily without having to undress too much. Be prepared to be there for a while and be prepared to talk about every aspect of your health (diet, work, home life, stress factors, menstrual cycles, skin, digestion and elimination, etc). Most practitioners are very thorough on intakes initially.

Be willing to listen and ask questions but don't try to learn everything they are doing. The practitioner went to school for at least four years to learn what they are doing, so full explanations can't really happen, but they should be able to tell you things in a way that allows you to understand basically.

Remember that if they use the word "liver" "kidney" "heart" or other organ it doesn't mean that organ itself, but a system of related functions in your body. With that, remember that Google isn't a school, so ask the pro before looking things up.

If you experience any discomfort or pain let the practitioner know - we don't like to hurt our patients, but sometimes a needle hits a spot that can hurt, (most won't) so just keep open dialogue with the practitioner.

That should do it. Good luck and enjoy.

I am sorry to hear you are experiencing this. I have a few questions though:

1. Was this practitioner an L.Ac. (Licensed Acupuncturist) or was it a Chiropractor or MD who "does acupuncture" or was it a PT doing "dry needling?"
2. Did this rubbery feeling happen during the treatment sessions or is it happening now?
3. Have you told your practitioner about this numb rubbery feeling?
4. Did you get any relief from your tense muscles before this numbness happened?

I am not able to directly answer your questions, i.e., "will this go away," "why is it feeling this way?" because I cannot diagnose over the internet. I would need to see you personally. With that said, you should go back to your practitioner (if they are an L.Ac. or go to an L.Ac. if they were not) or go to another acupuncturist to see what is happening now.

If you did get relief, but this is something new, then you would need to fix this new thing. If you did not get relief, I would find another practitioner to assess and address the issue. One thing that it may be is the tendons have actually relaxed and the blood flow is healing all of the old tensions (this is common with my patients, but usually doesn't last more than two days. In rare cases, it has taken longer, though.

In the meantime, have you tried simple relief strategies such as "soaking in epson salt," "rubbing on some Tiger Balm," or an icy hot type topical? In addition to needling, your practitioner should also be able to supply you with a topical salve or "healing patch" to speed up recovery.

Again, my advice would be to return to the practitioner so they know what is happening or go to another L.Ac for a second opinion. I highly advise to avoid Chiropractors or MD's who "do acupuncture" and please avoid any PT doing "dry needling" they are laughingly minimally trained in this department. If you did see an L.Ac., you should seek another if this one does not help you recover.

Acupuncture is very good for stress related issues. It helps the "fight or flight" aspect of our nervous system to rebalance and give people a better sense of well being and centeredness. It can help your muscles relax and allow your blood to flow more easily and can help you rest better.

The work related stresses will continue, but the treatments can help you separate yourself from the work personally, thus allowing you to cope with the situations more readily.

The practitioner may also have some herbal formulas to take to keep the treatments moving or might put some "stay in" needles in the ears (very small and flat held in with a bandaid type adhesive). These will keep you calmer longer.

Be sure to find a Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.) in your area and if the first one doesn't help, look for a few before you give up. If there is a Five-Element practitioner near by, seek them for sure.

Good luck.

I do not know enough about your condition to clearly evaluate, but acupuncture is helpful with reducing inflammations and some growths. You would need to have an L.Ac assess you personally and let them know everything the MD's have advised or done for you. They would need to know if this is a normal growth from your body (ie. genetic) or if it was from some other reaction to something to assess properly.

The weight gain from an enlarged uterus is not something to see as "weight gain", so please have this looked at so that your uterus can be more healthy. If you haven't seen an MD about this, do that first so the L.Ac. will know if it is in our scope to address.

Good luck.

Not that I know of directly, but there are treatments that help with digestive issues as a whole. You would have to get a differential diagnosis from a practitioner to see how the treatment strategy would work. We do not diagnose from a single sign, so we'd need to know more about you and your case.

If you would like to try acupuncture, find a licensed practitioner in your area.

There is no age too young or too old to receive acupuncture or Chinese medicine. I'm certain if it were necessary for a surgery or other western medical treatment such as allergy shots, you wouldn't hesitate to take your child. So, just think of this as another type of medical treatment to help your son.

Depending on his ability to sit still, the practitioner may just do some "in and out" needling or may opt for using a pressing tool instead of piercing tool. We have a lot of options and strategies to work with. My advice would be to ask around and find someone in your area who works with children regularly.

Good luck.

Cupping isn't a treatment to keep the mind focused. It is a treatment to clear out stagnation in the blood or to remove external pathogens from the body.

Cupping done on athletes, such as Phelps, that leaves the dark marks is usually indicative of what we call "blood stagnation" i.e. the blood in the muscles wasn't flowing freely (due to overuse and overstrain). The cupping sucks up the "stuck blood' (causing marks) and then the fresh blood can flow more easily. The marks are an indication that the stagnation was there, but marks do not always show up when people get cupped regularly.

In a sense, the muscle aches being released and the blood flowing better could help you focus more on skills than the pain, but it's not designed to help you focus as primary strategy.

On a side note, cupping is also used to help open the surface and clear out stagnation that leads the coughing and phlegm we get with colds and flus. Being a swimmer could make you more susceptible to catching these, so not only can it help relive muscle pain but can help remove or reduce the time you have colds or flu signs. Make sure you see a licensed practitioner if you choose to go, so they can advise you of proper pre and post session cautions.

Good luck.

I have treated patients in the past who have CFS. They usually see me once a week for best results. As time goes on, they do not have to see me as often. CFS is a western diagnosis, the acupuncture practitioner will have to differentiate that diagnosis for your specific condition to know how to treat you properly. Keep in mind that with this syndrome, you may have some set-backs, i.e., good for a while then bad, then good again. The acupuncture treatments can hopefully keep you more stabilized, though it may take a few to get to where you want. So, please give it some time.

Good luck

Acupuncture is very good for pain. Fibromyalgia is a western term, so your practitioner would need to find a differential diagnosis to see how acupuncture would benefit you. In other words, it can help, but we need to see what is causing it beyond just calling it "fibromyalgia." The practitioner may want to try needles and maybe moxabustion or cupping. This would depend on if your condition is what we consider "cold" or "hot" type of pain as well as "excess" or "deficient" type of issue. They may suggest herbal formulas, too.

Since you mentioned stress, the acupuncture will certainly help with your stress factors and help your body find its homeostasis. Because stress may be tied to your family and/or work, you will need to be on a maintenance strategy for a while and then keep regular intervals when you know things may get worse (higher stress times in life).

I cannot advise other things for you to do without actually seeing you, so find a practitioner in your area to help you find what is best for you.

Good luck

That all depends on your issue. If you are a cancer patient, or if you suffer from highly infectious diseases I would recommend you go to an MD in addition to your acupuncturist for help. If it is a broken bone, torn ligament or any other major trauma issue, I would suggest surgery, or some other outside modality to assist. If your condition is psychologically based and major, again, you should seek multiple modalities.

If, however, your condition is not a major medical problem i.e. pain problem, sleep problem, menstrual problem, cold/flu, skin condition, stress related issue, digestive disorder, respiratory, etc. Then acupuncture alone can help you balance yourself out. (if you are on medications already, you need to let your MD know that you are getting treatments so they can adjust medications as your body changes. For some major medical issues, such as asthma, you should always carry an emergency inhaler or other medication in cases of emergency even if the acupuncture treatments are helping you stabilize.

You need to converse with your practitioner who should be able to guide you to the limits of their scope - beyond that, you should seek outside help.

Of course, your health involves your choice in health, so if you yourself want more or less outside assistance, you can choose to do so. Those listed in the first paragraph, however, should pursue multiple practices.