Jason Armstrong, DC    

    Wichita Wellness Chiropractic Clinic              9432 W. Central, Wichita, KS 67212                316.773.9662        Fax: 316.773.9660

  Acupuncture and Acupressure

Acupuncture and acupressure are forms of medicine that involves stimulating certain points, referred to as acupoints, on a person's body.  These points are found along twelve pathways in the body, called meridians. Acupuncture and acupressure are used to relieve pain and restore and maintain health. Many people find acupuncture/acupressure in combination with other forms of treatment helps them recover from their conditions at a faster rate. Acupuncture and acupressure have been used to successfully treat headaches, drug addictions, asthma, tonsillitis, nausea, stomach ailments, and even the common cold.  Mental conditions, such as depression and anxiety, have also been treated with acupuncture/acupressure.

Developed in China some 5,000 years ago, perhaps out of the natural human instinct to hold or rub a place on the body that hurts, acupuncture/acupressure is part of the holistic system of traditional Chinese medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine views health as the constantly changing flow of vital energy, or qi (pronounced "chee") throughout the body. If that flow is hindered, sickness may develop. The goal of acupressure/acupuncture is to release blocked energy by stimulating specific acupoints along the body's 14 primary meridians, or energy channels. 

Stimulating the acupoints promotes energy and blood flow to the part of the body that is experiencing disease or discomfort, enabling it to heal itself more readily. Studies suggest that pressing on acupoints releases endorphins, the body's natural painkillers. Acupuncture involves stimulation with needles, while acupressure typically uses only the practitioner's hands. 

The World Health Organization recognizes the use of acupuncture in the treatment of a wide range of medical problems, including digestive disorders ( gastritis and hyperacidity, spastic colon, constipation, diarrhea), respiratory disorders ( sinusitis, sore throat, bronchitis, asthma, recurrent chest infections), neurological and muscular disorders ( headaches, facial tics, neck pain, rib neuritis, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, various forms of tendonitis, low back pain, sciatica, osteoarthritis), and urinary, menstrual, and reproductive problems. Acupuncture is particularly useful in resolving physical problems related to tension and stress and emotional conditions.

Acupuncture:  Needles that are as thin as a hair and made of stainless steel are used in acupuncture. Not all of the needles are straight. One type, called a staple, is round with a small needle and can be attached to the ear so the patient can wear it out of the office. This type of needle can be worn for about two weeks and is used often with patients who suffer from addictions, such as nicotine addiction. Acupuncture is not painful.   Dr. Armstrong is trained in the proper insertion of the needles so they don't cause pain. However, patients will feel a tingling sensation and possibly some cramping or heaviness in the area of the needle. Typically, the needles are inserted about one-quarter to one inch deep into the skin. Usually only about twelve needles are inserted during one session. The placement of the needles depends upon a patient's condition. 

Acupuncture sharply increased in popularity in the United States following President Richard Nixon's trip to China in 1970. During this trip, one of the people accompanying Nixon needed to have an appendectomy to remove his appendix.  During the operation, pain was controlled by the use of acupuncture. After seeing the effects of acupuncture on his aide, Nixon returned to America and made an effort to increase public awareness of acupuncture.  Patients found acupuncture so effective in controlling pain that it helped springboard the growing trend toward effective alternatives to traditional medicine that have risen in popularity in the last few decades.  

Acupressure: Acupressure stimulates the acupoints on the body by using pressure with the hands, fingers, knuckles, and palms. Specific acupoints related to your condition are targeted. Pressing a point behind your knee, for example, can help address low back pain. Or pressing a point on the top of the foot may help ease the pain of migraine. Typically, pressure will be applied to each point for about three to ten seconds (longer in some cases). The points may be pressed and released repeatedly. 

Electro-Muscle Stimulation

Electro-Muscle Stimulation is a special form of electrical current administered at the site of soft tissue injuries, such as muscle injuries, to block pain and reduce swelling.  Low level electrical current is induced into the tissues.  At first, you will feel a slight tingling sensation. The intensity of the treatment may be raised during the 10 to 20 minute course of treatment. Electro- muscle Stimulation reduces the sensation of pain, decreases swelling, promotes muscle tone and helps to speed the healing process.  Electro- muscle Stimulation has been used as an effective form of pain relief. It is recommended in cases in which pain is accompanied by swelling and inflammation.  Many painful symptoms can be relieved with the application of Electro-Muscle Stimulation.

Diathermy

Diathermy is a form of shortwave electo-magnetic energy. It is used to raise the temperature of soft tissues below the skin's surface.  The Diathermy energy field passes through softer surface tissues and turns to heat when reaching more dense tissues. The heat increases circulation and helps to speed the healing process.  During Diathermy treatment, the treated area should feel pleasantly warm. Diathermy helps increase range of motion and decrease muscle spasm by relaxing muscles and connective tissues.  In addition, it dilates the blood vessels, thus improving circulation and increasing metabolism and waste removal. It stimulates white blood cell production and helps to prevent adhesions and scar tissue. Overall, Diathermy helps to speed the healing process.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves administered in the region of soft tissue injuries. The sound waves, some moving with a frequency of 1,000,000 waves per second, penetrate into deep into the tissues. The vibrations and heat break down and disperse unhealthy calcium and other hard tissue accumulations. During the treatment most patients either feel nothing, or a pleasant and relaxing sensation below the skin's surface. The treatment is administered directly to the affected area, penetrating deeply. As the temperature rises, blood flow increases and muscle spasms relax, thus speeding up the healing process.  Ultrasound stimulates healing without irritation and enhances the body's natural healing ability. It is highly effective in treating calcium deposition, speeds metabolism and improves blood flow, and reduces nerve root irritation.  Ultrasound can often help shoulders, elbows, and sports-related injuries.

Superficial Heat

Heating pads, hot packs, hot water bottles, infrared lamps and warm moist towels are frequently used to raise the temperature of the soft tissues directly below the skin. When heat is applied to the surface of the skin, the blood vessels below the surface dilate and relax the tissues. This temporarily relieves painful symptoms, increases circulation, reduces joint stiffness, and relaxes muscles. This can be helpful before and after treatments. Heat is generally recommended to relax tissues that are spasming and to relieve symptoms associated with chronic pain and muscle tightness. It is an easy way to promote circulation, increase flexibility, improve range of motion, reduce joint stiffness, and relax muscles. Using heat to calm tissues suffering from long term spasm or irritation is an easy way to increase flexibility, range of motion, and promote increased circulation to speed the healing process.  While heat therapy is widely available and inexpensive, you should always consult your doctor before self-administration of any therapy.

Cryotherapy 

Cryotherapy is the application of ice, cold towels, ice massage or compresses with the intent of reducing temperatures of tissues directly on or below the skin's surface.  Cooling causes the blood vessels to constrict, numbs painful areas, and helps to relax muscle spasms. It also reduces nerve transmission of painful symptoms and provides temporary relief. It is frequently used to manage acute injuries and recent eruptions of chronic conditions. During the initial stages of an injury, cryotherapy should be applied several times a day.