How Can Acupuncture Help with Pain?

We all will experience varying pain levels at some point in our lives. Pain is our body’s way of alerting us to internal issues.

Depending on the cause, pain can be dull or sharp. Some more extreme pain levels can affect one’s mobility and, consequently, quality of life.

Physical activity can trigger pain flare-ups, and those suffering from this type of pain may be unable to perform daily tasks.

In a desperate attempt to avoid pain triggers, many people stop attending social events leading to social isolation that can wreak havoc on one’s physical and mental health. It increases a person’s risk of dementia by 50%. Pain can also affect productivity by forcing us to miss workdays.

If you are regularly experiencing pain that is beginning to affect your daily life, then it is time to seek treatment. The team at Root & Stem Integrative Chinese Medicine provides a wide variety of acupuncture and wellness services to ensure the highest level of support to those experiencing pain. If you are interested in learning more about how acupuncture can help with pain, call our acupuncture clinic in Oakland at (510) 463-4304 or continue reading.

Types of Pain

Pain can range in levels of intensity. When defining your pain, there are five types: chronic, acute, neuropathic, nociceptive, and functional.

Chronic Pain

Chronic pain lasts for more than three months. Studies show that around 100 million Americans struggle with chronic pain. Depending on the root cause, chronic pain sometimes lasts years.

This type of pain results from chronic health conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, endometriosis, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic migraine, and chronic temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Additionally, nerve changes due to cancer treatment can cause chronic pain for cancer patients.

Chronic pain can be consistent or intermittent, sharp, or dull and it can affect any part of the body. Untreated chronic pain affects a person’s ability to navigate everyday life.

Chronic pain often comes on after an injury or surgery. Some risk factors for chronic pain include age, being overweight, and sex – statistically speaking, females are more likely to experience chronic pain than males.

Acute Pain

Acute pain occurs suddenly. A specific event usually causes it. Acute pain is sharp or intense and goes away once the underlying problem is addressed or resolved. It often serves as a warning sign of an underlying health problem or other threat to the body.

Some common causes of acute pain include injuries, illnesses, and procedures such as surgery and dental work. Some signs of acute pain include loss of appetite, mobility problems, tight, tense muscles, and low energy. Depending on the cause, acute pain can last from a few days to several months.

Neuropathic Pain

Neuropathic pain is caused by damage or injury to the nerves that facilitate communication between the brain and spinal cord. It is often described as a burning, shooting, or stabbing sensation. People with neuropathic pain are extremely sensitive to touch.

Neuropathic pain can be unrelenting or come and go. Some common health conditions that can cause neuropathic pain include herniated discs, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, HIV infection or AIDS, syphilis, shingles, and thyroid problems.

Nociceptive Pain

Nociceptive pain stems from injuries or health conditions that cause tissue damage. Some health conditions and injuries that can provoke nociceptive pain include inflammatory bowel disease, osteoporosis, arthritis, burns, cuts, fractures, and bruises.

People with nociceptive pain describe it as throbbing, sharp, or achy. It usually develops in parts of the musculoskeletal system. Typical examples include joints, bones, muscles, and tendons.

Functional Pain

Functional pain can be either chronic or acute. Researchers have yet to determine the exact cause of functional pain. Many health experts believe it can stem from a chronic condition requiring long-term care and monitoring. Functional pain syndromes affect more than 15% of the global population.

Some common functional pain syndromes include chronic fibromyalgia, cardiac chest pain, and irritable bowel syndrome.

How Can Acupuncture Alleviate Pain?

People worldwide use acupuncture as a standalone treatment or an adjunct to conventional care to manage different types of pain. The ancient Chinese practice stimulates qi and instigates the production of feel-good hormones like oxytocin and serotonin. These hormones promote body-wide health and well-being. Acupuncture also flushes out toxins from the body and suppresses stress hormones.

Studies show that acupuncture can relieve pain and discomfort caused by diseases and health conditions such as fibromyalgia, cancer, and osteoarthritis. It supports women’s health by treating common menstrual problems such as painful periods, irregular periods, and heavy periods. Acupuncture during pregnancy can help with common pregnancy complaints and prepare the body for childbirth. It can also ease troublesome menopause symptoms.

Stress is a common cause of pain. Acupuncture relieves stress by stimulating the hypothalamus and pituitary glands to release endorphins and other feel-good hormones.

In many cases, pain results from an injury. Acupuncture fast-tracks injury recovery by increasing blood flow to the injured area and reducing inflammation. Pain caused by an injury or health condition can force you to change your gait, resulting in posture problems. Poor posture stresses the already tense muscles, exacerbating your symptoms. Acupuncture treats the root cause of pain and can help address posture problems resulting from it.

Pain can be debilitating, but there is hope. If you or a loved one is looking for a holistic approach to treating pain at any level, then it is time to turn to pain management with acupuncture.

Root & Stem Integrative Chinese Medicine is a trusted acupuncture clinic in Oakland and Nevada City. Our practitioners are dedicated to providing top-notch pain relief treatments for our patients. Their specialized skills and knowledge enable them to develop customized healthcare plans for each client. To consult with our team,call (510) 463-4304.

Cupping Vs Acupuncture Therapy

Pain conditions are becoming increasingly common. Chronic pain can affect a person’s mobility and overall quality of life. There are several pain medications that promise instant and long-term pain relief, but unfortunately, many over-the-counter and prescription pain medicines can have debilitating side effects. People who want to avoid common drug side effects, turn to different forms of alternative medicine such as acupuncture and cupping therapy to manage their condition.   

Root and Stem Clinic offers a wide range of therapeutic services to help patients relieve pain and stress to promote whole-body wellness. Of our services, many clients choose acupuncture therapy or cupping therapy, to aid with chronic pain. A common question often asked when deciding between these two pain management services is, “what’s the difference?” 

Our licensed practitioners have spent years differentiating the two services for our clients, and so they have compiled their answers to help you as a reader define and direct your decision as to what is the best therapy for your wellness. 

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a 3,000-year-old Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapy. Qi-pronounced (chi), is the life force present in every living being. When Qi becomes blocked, illnesses occur. Acupuncture involves inserting needles through the skin at strategic points, known as acupoints, to heal energy blocks.

TCM experts use acupuncture to treat everything from headaches to chronic pain and infertility. There are several benefits of acupuncture. It is drug-free, and can hence reduce dependence on pain medications. When performed by an expert, acupuncture is quite safe.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

Acupuncture for pain relief works by stimulating the brain to produce endorphins and other feel-good hormones that improve mood and reduce pain perception. It helps lower cortisol levels, removes toxins from the body, and promotes blood flow to the affected area. The blood flow to the area contains nutrients and oxygen. As a result, nutrient-rich blood helps with tissue repair. 

What is Cupping Therapy?

Cupping therapy involves placing special cups on the skin to create suction for pain relief. It is a part of several ancient healing systems. TCM proponents believe that cupping restores the flow of qi. It gets the blood moving to the area where cups are placed and can also help reduce pain.

Studies show that cupping may relieve muscle tension, improve overall blood flow and facilitate cell repair. Many healthcare experts are of the opinion that cupping can help build new connective tissues and create new blood vessels in tissues.

How Does Cupping Work?

Suction from cupping draws blood into the area where cups are placed. The suction force expands, breaking open tiny blood vessels or capillaries. The body treats these microtraumas as injuries and sends more blood to the area being treated. This speeds up the healing process.

Should I use Cupping Therapy or Acupuncture?

Both cupping and acupuncture can improve skin health, treat digestion problems, and relieve pain caused by an injury or a health condition. Cupping and acupuncture can also help improve the effects of mental illnesses like anxiety, and depression.

Both acupuncture and cupping can be used as standalone therapies. Many healthcare experts combine acupuncture with cupping in one treatment. Such treatment plans combine the benefits of both therapies.

Root & Stem is the best acupuncture clinic near you in Oakland. We use the healing power of acupuncture to treat different health conditions. To make an appointment, book your session online today.