Traditional Acupuncture Lakeview Chicago IL
Acupuncture and other forms of traditional Chinese medicine have been in existence for over 4,000 years. Yet the explanation for how acupuncture works has been largely based on theory. The basic theory is outlined in a text from 200 B.C. It acknowledges in people and nature a vital energy or life force known as Qi (pronounced “chee”). Qi flows through the body via channels called meridians.If the Qi flow is altered, the resulting deficiency, excess, or stagnation of qi causes bodily malfunction, illness, and inability to heal properly. Acupuncture, in which needles are inserted into specific points along these meridians, restores the proper Qi flow, thereby returning the body to a state of improved health and decreased pain.
Chiropractic physicians and other licensed practitioners administer about 10 million acupuncture treatments each year in the US, most commonly for pain control, sports injuries, and smoking cessation. As the popularity of acupuncture increases, researchers have become more interested into proving exactly how acupuncture works. To date, researchers have been able to measure an increased flow of acupuncture-induced endorphins.This explains the pain-relieving effect of acupuncture. Also, functional MRI’s have measured changes in the activity of key centers of the brain, where pain is interpreted, when certain acupuncture points are treated. There are other beneficial effects of acupuncture also being researched, including the treatment of: nausea, asthma, sinus conditions, colds and the immune system, and other internal disorders. Furthermore, acupuncture has been observed clinically in our Chicago office to enhance healing, and provide long-lasting pain relief.
Acupuncture’s clinical results are attracting interest from mainstream medicine. A panel of independent experts convened in 1997 by the National Institutes of Health concluded that acupuncture is safe and effective in treating nausea and pain due to cancer and chemotherapy drugs. It is also shown to be as helpful as prescription medication in treating post surgical and other forms of pain, and without the harmful side effects and toxicity. In our practices, we routinely see excellent long-term results with acupuncture, even when other forms of treatment have failed.
Acupuncture Provides Several Benefits
- Pain relief for acute and chronic conditions
- Decreases stress and anxiety
- Accelerates the healing process
- Aids in smoking cessation
- Relieves acute and chronic sinus congestion
- Complements other treatments for internal disorders
What You Can Expect
The doctor may recommend acupuncture as a valuable part of your treatment plan. Dr’s. Ezgur & Bruene, Chicago acupuncturists, were trained at the National College of Chiropractic, and are certified to perform acupuncture under the Illinois Medical Practice Act.
Most people (even those afraid of needles) are surprised at how painless acupuncture is. The needles are extremely thin, not at all like those used for medical injections or shots. The sensitivity of different acupuncture points may vary. Some points are not felt at all, while others may feel like the brief sting of an insect bite. Once the needles are in, no pain is felt. Acupuncture treatment usually lasts 15 – 20 minutes. For your protection, all acupuncture needles are sterile, one-time-use, and disposable.
Acupuncture Research & Scientific Studies
At Progressive Chiropractic Wellness Center, we are firm believers in following evidence-based practices. Whether your treatment at our Chicago clinic involves chiropractic, physical therapy, cold laser therapy, massage therapy, homeopathy, or acupuncture, our doctors utilize the latest advances in technology, science, and research available in order to provide you with the best possible outcome.
Acupuncture involves the insertion and stimulation of needles at specific points on the body to facilitate decreased pain and recovery of health. Although originally developed as part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, some contemporary acupuncturists, particularly those with medical and chiropractic qualifications, understand acupuncture in a more modern, neurophysiologic context.
Most of our patients receiving treatment in our Chicago acupuncture clinic are surprised to discover how painless the treatment actually is. The needles used in acupuncture treatments are so thin that they actually look more like tiny wires or fishing line than actual needles. The sensation of needle insertion ranges from being completely imperceptible to a brief sting or prick, lasting only a second or two. After the needle is inserted, there is little to no discomfort whatsoever. A treatment usually lasts about 20 minutes, during which time most of our patients experience a deep sense of relaxation or even drift off to sleep.
It is estimated that 3 million Americans receive acupuncture treatment each year and chronic pain is the most common reason for seeking treatment. Acupuncture is known for its significant pain-relieving effects, but despite numerous scientifically documented neurophysiologic mechanisms by which acupuncture facilitates pain reduction, there is no single universally agreed upon mechanism by which acupuncture creates persistent effects on chronic pain. Despite that fact, millions of patients have benefited greatly from receiving acupuncture in Chicago and other locations throughout the world. Furthermore, there are many scientific studies which substantiate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture, including numerous high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which are considered to be the ”gold standard” of research studies.
Aside from acute and chronic pain, acupuncture also can help with many other conditions, including but not limited to:
- Allergies, sinusitis, sinus infections, and asthma
- Sports injuries and joint pain
- Disc bulges, pinched nerves, sciatica, and neuropathy
- Tension headaches and migraines
- Dizziness and vertigo
- Pregnancy-related conditions: morning sickness, breech position, labor induction
- Infertility
- Insomnia
- Anxiety, depression, and stress
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Tennis Elbow
- Runner’s Knee
- Bursitis
- Arthritis
- Chronic Fatigue
- GI conditions
Our Chicago acupuncture practice is based upon many years of clinical experience as well as scientific research in the field of Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine, and many other natural healing methods. The list below is a summary of some of the scientific studies which validate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture when used in the treatment of a wide variety of conditions.
Acupuncture For Chronic Pain
This individual patient data meta-analysis of 29 randomized, controlled trials studying 17,922 patients substantiates that acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for many types of chronic pain including: back pain, neck pain, osteoarthritis, chronic headache, and shoulder pain. The levels of decreased pain were shown to be statistically significant and superior to that of placebo.
Arch Intern Med. 2012;172(19):1444-1453
German Acupuncture Trials For Chronic Low Back Pain
This randomized, multicenter, blinded, parallel-group trial, concluded that “Low back pain improved after acupuncture treatment for at least 6 months. Effectiveness of acupuncture was almost twice that of conventional therapy.”
Arch Intern Med. 2007;167(17):1892-1898
Contact us today to learn more or to schedule your appointment for your initial acupuncture treatment in our Chicago clinic.
Visit our official Chicago Acupunture website!
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