Jeannette Kerns, AP, DOM, L.Ac.

Not only can acupuncture help your back pain, it can help you bounce back from child birth. If the back pain is due muscles or problems with the spine, then acupuncture would be used to control the pain and promote healthy blood flow to the muscles. If it's due to underlying deficiencies brought on by the trauma of childbirth, then Chinese herbs would be combined with the acupuncture to restore the body to health as well as treating the pain.

Acupuncture might help. It depends on the cause of the enlarged uterus. This condition should be co-managed by a gynecologist. This is one of the few conditions which is sometimes best treated by western medicine while we support the body and reduce inflammation with acupuncture.

Acupuncture for dental pain IS a thing. However, it's very important to see a dentist to address the cause of the pain. If there is an infection or abscess it should be treated immediately because these types of infections can have serious complications. There are Chinese herbs that can help, but with this type of infection, you wouldn't want to take any chances. So while I support acupuncture for relieving dental pain, I also support seeing a dentist to find and fix the cause of the pain.

Acupuncture isn't going to cure you, but it may help to lower your blood pressure. However, the reason why you are having high blood pressure needs to be considered because that will determine how effective treatment will be.
Lifestyle and dietary changes are generally necessary to see longterm change. I don't recommend stopping any medications without first speaking with your doctor.

If you're going once every three months to relieve stress, what you are describing is similar to getting a massage every few months.

If you want to address a health condition a single treatment here or there is unlikely to produce a total resolution of a health issue. A commonly used explanation likens treatment to pushing a car out of mud. One push and the car rocks out a little but settles back into the mud. However, enough pushes and the car gains the momentum needed to move out of the mud and back onto the road. As the treatments accumulate, momentum begins and you may find other symptoms you thought were unrelated also resolve.

Here is the standard guidelines for a course of treatment of acupuncture. I hope this helps.

Evidence-based treatment guidelines
Course of Treatment Based on Peer Reviewed Clinical Coverage Guidelines Devised by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), National Coverage Determination for Acupuncture and Foundation for Acupuncture Research. Acupuncture and electroacupuncture.

Normally an initial course of treatment consists of 12 to 18 treatments over a 4 to 6-week period, depending on complicating factors. For acute conditions, fewer treatments may be necessary to observe a therapeutic effect and to obtain complete recovery. For chronic conditions, such as in this case, and in conditions with complicating factors, extended treatment is recommended to observe response to treatment.

As in most types of therapy, the earlier the patient receives treatment, the greater the probability of recovery, and the shorter the time to recovery. Acupuncture is commonly utilized in chronic conditions because of effectiveness in pain management and limited treatment options. However, it should be noted that acupuncture and electro-acupuncture can lead to complete recovery in many NMS conditions when it is offered in the acute and sub-acute stages of injury, particularly when used in conjunction with other therapeutic interventions, such as range of motion (ROM) and strengthening exercises and manual manipulation of the soft tissue.

Acupuncture or electroacupuncture are rarely performed as a single treatment, but are usually prescribed and performed as a series, or "course of treatments." Thus, treatment planning requires a recommendation for the number, frequency, and duration of treatments that is appropriate based upon the nature and extent of the injuries and the prognosis for a progressive and timely recovery from those injuries. Severe injuries, multiple injuries, metabolic disorders, and other complicating factors may require more frequent treatments over a longer duration of time. For example, while some multiple injuries can be treated simultaneously, others must be treated independently and sequentially, requiring increased treatment frequency.

Recommended Additional Course of Treatment
A conservative recommendation of a series of 12 additional visits are recommended. Treatment based on medical necessity shall be determined at time of service based on subjective complaints and observations.

Re-Evaluation: A detailed or focused re-evaluation designed to determine the patient's progress and response to treatment should be conducted at the end of each course of treatment. Additionally, a brief assessment of the patient’s response to each treatment should be noted after each treatment is completed, and again before the next one is started, and recorded in progress notes (e.g., SOAP notes). When a patient's condition is not responding to treatment for a period of 2 to 3 weeks, a more thorough re-evaluation should be conducted immediately to determine if the condition is different or more serious than the initial diagnosis had indicated and/or whether the condition requires further diagnostic testing and/or referral to other diagnostic or treatment specialists.

Follow-up courses of treatment may be similar in frequency and duration to the initial course of treatment. However, one of the goals of any treatment plan should be to reduce the frequency of treatments to the point where maximum therapeutic benefit continues to be achieved while encouraging more active self-therapy, such as strengthening and range-of-motion (ROM) exercises, and rehabilitative exercises. The frequency of continued treatment generally depends upon the severity and duration of the condition; treatment benefits are generally stronger and last longer as a condition moves from acute towards complete resolution and as the patient takes a more active role in his or her recovery.

• Acute - 2-3 treatments per week for 4 weeks, decreasing frequency as symptoms resolve and are reduced. Reevaluate after 12th visit.
• Sub-Acute - 2-3 treatments per week for up to four weeks. 1-2 treatments per week thereafter for up to 6-8 weeks. This is also the time when a rehabilitation exercise program is usually introduced. Reevaluate after 12th visit.
• Chronic – 12 visits, 1-2 treatments per week for 6-8 weeks. Reevaluate after 12th visit.
• Recurrent/Flare-Up - 1-2 treatments per week for 6-8 weeks. Reevaluate after 12th visit.
Acupuncture is considered medically necessary for the following indications:
• As a treatment for acute or chronic pain, including postoperative, musculoskeletal, neurogenic, vascular, craniomandibular, and malignant pain; OR,
• For postoperative nausea and vomiting (including children); OR,
• For morning sickness associated with pregnancy; OR,
• For chemotherapy-associated nausea and vomiting

The Acupuncture Clinical Guidelines/Plan of Care Recommendations - Peer Reviewed: 1. Hayes Directory. Acupuncture for Pain. January 20, 2005.2. Hayes Directory. Acupuncture and Acupressure for the Treatment of Nausea and Vomiting. June 20, 2005.3. Hayes Directory. Acupuncture for Treatment of Addictive Behavior. May 31, 2005. Government Agencies, Professional and Medical Organizations: 1. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), National Coverage Determination for Acupuncture (30.3)2. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), National Coverage Determination for Acupuncture for Fibromyalgia (30.3.1)3. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), National Coverage Determination for Acupuncture for Osteoarthritis (30.3.2)4. Council of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Associates (CAOMA), Foundation for Acupuncture Research. Acupuncture and electroacupuncture. Evidence-based treatment guidelines. Calistoga (CA): Council of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Associates (CAOMA); 2004 Dec.

Improving circulation is one of the things acupuncture does best. I've seen horribly discolored lower legs return to normal in less than 12 sessions, wounds heal quickly and cold limbs become warm. However, if you have a circulatory issue, please do not abandon your medications in lieu of acupuncture without the guidance of your prescribing doctor. Your safety is first and foremost and one should never stop taking medications without guidance.

Acupuncture can stop the cravings, help the lungs recover, ease the stress and side effects (irritability, headaches, etc.) of withdrawal. The hard part is forming new habits. Tring to find new things to do it the difficult part that drives many back to smoking. What you do with your morning coffee, while you're on the phone or right after meal? Forming new habits is vital to success. The cravings? Acupuncture rocks when it comes to cutting the cravings.

Children respond quickly to acupuncture. Sometimes within just a few minutes. The needles don't stay in when they are very small and don't need to be retained long until they are older. I recommend finding an acupuncturists specializing in pediatrics.

Most likely acupuncture can help you with difficulty gaining weight. However, I feel it's very important to try and isolate the root cause of the problem. Is is malabsorption or some other condition? In this particular situation acupuncture alone is likely not your best choice for treatment. Were you my patient I would perform a full TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) examination on you and from there use a combination of acupuncture and Chinese herbs to help your with your inability to gain weight. If we didn't start seeing results within a few weeks then I would want to order some advanced lab tests (Heavy metals, neurotransmitters and hormone metabolites.) Additionally, I would want to explore prescription or clinical lines of digestive enzymes and probiotics. However, before doing any of that I would suggest having a parasite test done. NOT the type done through Quest or LabCorp. I'd want a scientist to lay eyes on the actual sample, sort through it and identify the actual types of parasites (trust me, there are parasites in 99% of all stool samples). Even if you've had testing before, proper testing is likely to turn up an answer. Once treatment is complete I'd monitor you closely while starting acupuncture. If you were still unable to gain weight then we would start the other lab tests. To order a parasite test kit visit: http://parawellnessresearch.com/ Trust me, this guy is amazing!

Acupuncture can help boost your metabolism, increase energy, balance hormones, improve motivation, control cravings, improve digestion, promote healthy sleep patterns, eliminate excess water weight, and lower stress reactions. It's a great booster to add to any weight loss protocol. That being said, I also run lab work because that is the key to successful long-term weight loss.

If your lack of focus is due to pain, then absolutely it may help. Cupping therapy is an incredible too for maintaining muscle health and releasing muscle tension, increasing range of motion and reducing pain. In Chinese medicine, we also use it for conditions such as asthma, cough, and other disorders. Due to the effect cupping has on the meridians, it is possible it could help improve concentration; however, it's the least effective approach. If your lack of focus is not due to pain, I would recommend acupuncture, neurotransmitter testing, herbs, and supplementation instead. You can find out more at https://eastlakeacu.com/.

Acupuncture would certainly help. I myself have Hashimoto's thyroiditis and sometimes I go into a hyper phase and experience palpitations, tachycardia, arrhythmia and it's very uncomfortable. I see an electro-physiologist (basically an electrician for the heart) at my cardiologist's office and he even recommends acupuncture. However, it's also important to use lab work as a guide, which in my clinic, always includes the thyroid antibody tests and reverse T3 in addition to the standard labs. Chinese medicine (herbs) are often added to the protocol for best results. I like to work in tandem with an endocrinologist for the benefit of my patients.

No, not always, especially in conditions involving pain. However, for chronic diseases, digestive disorders and even conditions such as migraines, it's been my experience that the addition of herbs or supplement can speed things along and may be necessary.

For example, if you're having migraines due to anemia, it would be very difficult to stop them without addressing the underlying nutritional deficiency.

While herbs and acupuncture will nearly always help, it’s difficult to make progress when treatments are spaced too far apart or are scheduled randomly. Taking getting treated regularly and taking herbs as prescribed and following prescribed food therapy recommendations will help significantly and are especially important when regular acupuncture sessions cannot be performed.

Standard Acupuncture Treatment Plan –
1. Ideal: 3x per week for 1-4 weeks. In many cases this resolve the issue. For cases of chronic conditions treatment is usually continued and sometimes the visits are spaced out further (depending on how much improvement is seen)

2. Almost ideal: Herbs and acupuncture 2x per week for 2-10 weeks then begin spacing them out to weekly then bi-monthly and so-forth.

3. Acceptable: Herbs and weekly appointments for 4-12+ weeks then begin spacing them out to bi-monthly and so-forth.

4. Guarded: Visits scheduled more than one week apart. Herbs and supplements will be very important.


The simple answer is "no" other medicines are not required for acupuncture to be effective (especially for pain) but if there are underlying issues, other therapies my be necessary or at least helpful.

If you decide to include herbs/supplements, it is important to take them as prescribed. These formulas are powerful and highly-effected when taken properly. The effects can be boosted with food therapy and acupuncture. These formulas have survived several thousand years of medical advancements because they work. I hope this helps to answer your question and encourages you to try acupuncture.

Acupuncture can help reduce chronic fatigue by increasing oxygen intake, improving sleep quality, reducing stress, help regulate hormone and neurotransmitter dysfunction and reduce pain. However, addressing the root cause of the fatigue is important. For that I would incorporate a Chinese Pattern Diagnosis, lab tests (not the same tests as you've likely had before), herbal medicine, proper supplementation and lifestyle and dietary changes. These therapies together have changed many lives in mere weeks.
www.eastlakeacu.com

Mostly likely it will and will help quickly. Regulating menstrual cycles is one of the things acupuncture is best at, which is why so many fertility specialists and reproductive endocrinologists work in tandem with an acupuncturist. I have been pleasantly surprised at how quickly acupuncture can reduce and sometimes eliminate the pain.

Please keep in mind that you won't want to seek treatment only when you're in pain. You'll need to be treated between cycles to prevent the pain. Once your cycles are regulated your pain should reduce or stop and you'll only need occasional maintenance visits.

In the case of severe cramps we would likely add Chinese herbs to protocol, just as the Jade Moon line from Kan herbs or Xiao Yao Wan from Herbal Times combined with Tong Jing Wan; however, the formulas are SO specific that a person that feel overheated at night vs. a person that doesn't, but has ALL other symptoms the same, would require a different formula. Thus, I strongly advise to work with an acupuncturist experienced in Zang Fu Pattern diagnosis.

The quick answer would be ‘yes’ acupuncture may help with pain from fibromyalgia. However, much like pain medications, it will wear off and the underlying condition will still be there. In the case of fibromyalgia, I approach the disease with the mindset to provide pain control while my patient and I work together to find the root cause and work on treating the source as well as the symptoms. Many of my patients have gone on to live nearly symptom-free in just a short time.

I know what you’re thinking… “sign me up!” However, first it’s important to understand what fibromyalgia is, what it’s caused by and what it will take to manage it long-term. From there you can make an informed decision as to whether this is the route you’d like to take.

In a nutshell fibromyalgia is a syndrome of widespread chronic pain associated with sleep disorders, depressed mood, cognitive impairment and fatigue. According to a research article published by the NHI (National Health Institute), fibromyalgia is considered a stress-related disorder, characterized by heightened pain perception, including widespread hyperalgesia to deep-pressure stimuli and has three primary underlying causes: Neurotransmitter dysregulation, hypothalamic, pituitary, adrenal (HPA) axis and inflammation.

Neurotransmitters are the chemical messengers responsible for keeping our brains functioning and managing everything from our breathing to our heartbeat to our learning and concentration level to our responses to pain, stress and even the feelings of being in love. When these signals aren’t firing properly, the entire nervous system is on the fritz, including how we perceive both physical and emotional pain.

The HPA axis is our central stress response system. the HPA axis is a major part of the system that controls your physiological reaction to stress. That covers psychological stress (the kind you feel when you're overwhelmed or upset) as well as physical stress, such as illness, trauma, and injury. The HPA axis also helps regulate many other functions including digestion, the immune system, mood, sexuality how your body uses energy.

In the case of inflammation there is (or at least was) some controversy. Initially, scientists were confused as to how to approach fibromyalgia because while it seemed like an inflammatory disease, it didn’t present like most and therefore didn’t fit neatly in the diagnosis box. There are no hot, angry, swollen joints, even though the patient often describes those sensations. Most tests for inflammatory markers often reveal normal or only slightly elevated levels in fibromyalgia. Corticosteroids or NSAIDs such as ibuprofen are often ineffective at alleviating fibromyalgia pain, leading family, friends and physicians to assume the pain is ‘all in the head.” Narcotics work for a short time, but in the end will cause increased pain due to their effect on neurotransmitters.

Scientists now know that inflammation is involved, but from a source they had not expected…the immune system, much of which lives in our gut. It was discovered that certain molecules from the immune system, called cytokines, are high in people with fibromyalgia. Additionally, the central nervous system has its own immune system, separate from the rest of the body, and studies show high levels of immune molecules called chemokines there as well.

In my clinic we help patients manage their fibromyalgia through dietary changes and lifestyle changes, regular lab testing combined with clinical strength herbs, proper supplementation and acupuncture. This method is highly effective, and many are surprised at how quickly they feel better. Sometimes within 24-hours. www.eastlakeacu.com.

Resources:
• “Publications: Institute Department of Cognitive Clinical Neuroscience.” Staff - Apl. Prof. Dr. Michael Schredl: ZI Mannheim, www.zi-mannheim.de/en/research/departments-research-groups-institutes/institute-cognitive-clinical-neuroscience-e/publications-institute-cognitive-clinical-neuroscience-e/jahr/older.html.
• Backryd E, Tanum L, Lind AL, Larsson A, Gordh T. Journal of pain research. 2017 Mar 3;10:515-525. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S128508. Evidence of both systemic inflammation and neuroinflammation in fibromyalgia patients, as assessed by a multiplex protein panel applied to the cerebrospinal fluid and to plasma.
• Blanco I, et al. Clinical rheumatology. 2010 Dec;29(12):1403-12. Abnormal overexpression of mastocytes in skin biopsies of fibromyalgia patients.
• Bote ME, et al. Neuroimmunomodulation. 2012;19(6):343-51. Inflammatory/stress feedback dysregulation in women with fibromyalgia.
• Cordero MD, et al. Antioxidants & redox signaling. 2013 Mar 1;18(7):800-7. Is inflammation a mitochondrial dysfunction-dependent event in fibromyalgia?
• Liptan, GL. Journal of bodywork and movement therapies. 2010 Jan;14(1):3-12. Fascia: A missing link in our understanding of the pathology of fibromyalgia.

Great question! Acupuncture is generally considered 'painless' however, that does not mean without sensation. Sometimes patient experience some sort of sensation with the needles go in, and while every now and then one may 'pinch' I've never had anyone not come back because they found it painful and that includes small children. Most needles aren't felt at all.

For some it's not the sensation of the needle, it's the idea of the needle. ALL the patients I have treated have expressed surprise at how little they felt.
That being said, I have had patients come to be from other acupuncturists trained in other countries that use more aggressive techniques and complain that it was uncomfortable or that some acupuncturists hooked electrodes up to the needles for extra stimulation (thought that doesn't necessarily need to hurt either.)

I don't use the electrodes (I have nothing against it) because the type of acupuncture I practice does not require it (Balance Method and Master Tung Styles).

So if it's the fear of pain keeping you from trying it, rest assured, it's never as bad as people think it'll be and we treat small children. Keep in mind, just like any other type of service provider, you may need to try more than one before you find the one you click with. I hope this helps.
Happy healing!

Acupuncture is great for reducing cravings, helping the lungs and other organs heal, reducing the stress associated with quitting (the snappy-snarlies) and making the process of quitting easier. I've patients quit in as little as one session and others take as many as 10. However, the thing we cannot fix is the habit.

If you have smoked for a long time the trick isn't dealing with the cravings. With acupuncture that's the easy part; it's figuring out what to do with your hands that's the biggest obstacle and reason may fail to quit. Finding new habits while driving, when stressed, after meals, while on the phone, etc. is the challenge. So, when trying acupuncture keep in mind that it will likely be very helpful with cravings, but you'll need to have some sort of plan to tackle the habits that have taken years to establish.

So, with this understanding, let's revisit your questions:
Q: CAN ACUPUNCTURE HELP ME QUIT
A: Yes
Q: WHAT HAPPENS DURING AN ACUPUNCTURE SESSION:
A. Thin, hair-like needles will be inserted most likely into your ear and sometimes into points on the hands, arms or legs. However, for smoking cessation the needles usually go on the ears.
Q: HOW WILL ACUPUNCTURE HELP ME QUIT FOR GOOD
A: As I mentioned above, acupuncture can help reduce and even stop the cravings, help the lungs recover, ease stress and irritability (and more.) However, the desire to quit is important, as is the need to make new and healthier habits and acupuncture cannot help with those things.

In my experience, those quitting because loved ones are pressuring them to to quit has a high rate of failure. So please keep in mind that if you feel forced into giving up smoking, quitting will be difficult without changing the mindset.

I've helped many quit smoking for good, but I've only ever had one success case where a patient was able to quit with only a few sessions when pressured into and that was because his doctor told him his life depended on it.

I hop this helps.

Yes. However, there are some things to consider:

1. Is the TMJ from an injury (is there structural damage to the jaw)?
*If so, then pain management and addressing associated muscle tension is the expected outcome, but the acupuncture isn't going to cure a misaligned or broken jaw.
2. Is this the result of muscle tension from stress (clenching jaw)?
*If so then acupuncture would likely be very helpful in both addressing the TMJ and the stress as well as any associated headaches or other pain. Stress management techniques will be important as well.
3 Is this the result of grinding the teeth?
*If so, then acupuncture will likely help; however, the teeth grinding will need to be managed as well.

Digestive disorders (from IBS to Crohn's) are conditions I see the most of aside from pain. Acupuncture is very helpful, though I also use a combination of Chinese herbs, probiotics, and digestive enzymes. Digestion is a tricky condition, but acupuncture is phenomenal for helping. I recommend finding an acupuncturist specializing in digestion.