The following is a brief description of what acupuncture is, and how Dr. Elliot Diamond uses acupuncture in regarding to treatment. A summary of select scientific research articles on topics related to foot and ankle pain management and rehabilitation is also included.
WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE?
Acupuncture originated in China more than 2,000 years ago. Acupuncture was utilized by an estimated 2.1 million U.S. adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control in 2002. In current medical practices the number of patients using acupuncture has significantly risen.
Acupuncture is based on the medical philosophy that the human body is a system of connecting energy grid systems. When one of these energy flow lines is “blocked” from disease or injury, the entire body can be adversely affected. These energy flow lines are like the telephone network system. If, for example, you were making a call from Philadelphia to Australia, the call may go through several stops like Philadelphia to New York, to perhaps London, and then finally to Australia. Likewise, if you have pain or injury, there may be energy points in your hand, your back, or perhaps your head. By stimulating carefully chosen points, pain relief and healing will hopefully follow.
WHAT IS PAIN?
Pain is a very subjective experience to which each individual reacts differently. There are many theories concerning the pain mechanism within the body. Regardless of the cause of the pain, it serves to alert us that something is wrong within our body. The pain signal should never be ignored. Often, pain is nature’s unique way of preventing more serious problems by alerting us to take action to correct it.
The treatment goal in this office is to detect the source of your pain and, in most cases, correct the cause. By correcting the cause of the pain, the pain is then reduced or eliminated. Sometimes, however, even though the source of the pain is treated, the pain continues. Once the pain has alerted the patient that something is wrong, and the root of the concern is diagnosed and treated, then pain itself has served its purpose; and thus, it is no longer useful.
HOW IS ACUPUNCTURE USEFUL IN TREATING & PREVENTING INJURIES?
Acupuncture is very useful in the treatment of painful conditions. It partially works by stimulating your body’s natural pain blockers, called endorphins. It also increases the local blood supply of the painful area, washing away waste products caused by pain and improperly functioning tissues. Acupuncture is helpful in relaxing stiff and overused muscles and tendons, and is wonderful for stimulating bone and tissue growth.
Please read the following review of medical studies on the positive effect of acupuncture on conditions such as bunions, arch pain, plantar fasciitis, and knee pain.
Remember: Acupuncture is one valuable rehabilitation modality in a carefully constructed treatment plan.