Acupuncture at Takoma Park, MD

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), pain hinders more Americans than cancer, heart disease, and diabetes combined. This isn’t so surprising considering our everyday: many of us spend the majority of our time crouching over desks, laptops, and phones. And when we do perform more strenuous activities, our bodies aren’t always equipped to handle the strain—which results in pain, discomfort, and sometimes more serious injury. Dealing with these undesirable consequences isn’t easy. But it’s important we stay in good spirits and take advantage of effective treatments that help us to manage physical and emotional issues, such as acupuncture.

“No matter what happens, no matter how far you seem to be away from where you want to be, never stop believing that you will somehow make it. Have an unrelenting belief that things will work out, that the long road has a purpose, that the things that you desire may not happen today, but they will happen. Continue to persist and persevere.”
-Brad Gast

Here at Thriveworks, we believe that working with a skilled and caring healthcare provider is a key to healing—which is why we offer multiple therapeutic services, one being acupuncture. Acupuncture has proven to help people heal from physical and emotional pain, and we’re confident it can help you live a better life too. All you have to do is give Thriveworks Takoma Park a call and we’ll set you up with an acupuncturist who knows just how to help you.

Finding Relief in Acupuncture Treatment

Acupuncture is the practice of stimulating specific points on the body, most often for pain relief. This commonly involves inserting tiny needles into the skin, but acupuncture specialists also employ the following from time to time:

• Firm rubbing
• Electrical impulses
• Laser light

The stimulation that occurs through acupuncture has proven to help ease different types of chronic pain, such as low-back pain, neck pain, and knee (osteoarthritis) pain. Additionally, this technique can help to reduce the frequency and severity of tension headaches as well as migraines. Let’s delve into acupuncture as an effective form of treatment for these conditions:

1. Low-back pain
According to a 2010 review by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, acupuncture successfully relieves low-back pain immediately following treatment. That being said, multiple studies have shown that this treatment is even more effective when combined with self-care. A few self-care techniques for low-back pain include:

• Sitting up straight
• Exercising regularly
• Lying down when needed

2. Neck pain
In addition to relieving individuals of chronic low-back pain, acupuncture has proven to do the same for those with neck pain, especially when paired with self-care. This makes this service incredibly beneficial to a wide range of individuals, as many of us know what it’s like to suffer with a stiff or aching neck.

3. Knee (osteoarthritis) pain
Acupuncture is also successful in relieving patients of knee pain, as proven by a 2010 systematic review of studies as well as a major 2012 data analysis. Analyses of this data showed that acupuncture was more helpful for osteoarthritis pain than no acupuncture treatment or simulated acupuncture treatment.

4. Headache
And finally, this service has proven to help people with headaches, whether it be a migraine or tension headache. Headaches are often brought on by stress, which many of us experience on a daily basis—making acupuncture a useful tool for just about everybody. In addition to receiving acupuncture to combat the headaches that might accompany stress and anxiety, you can try the following:

• Apply a warm compress or cool washcloth to the forehead
• Make healthy lifestyle choices (e.g., exercise and eat well)
• Ensure you’re getting enough sleep each night
• Simplify your life and eliminate regular stressors

What Is Acupuncture Treatment Really Like?

As briefly mentioned above, acupuncture uses fine needles (and sometimes other methods) to stimulate specific points on the body and encourage the body’s natural healing abilities. In addition to relieving people of pain in the areas listed above, it is also sometimes used to treat emotional issues. How exactly does it do all of this? Take a look below:

• Acupuncture promotes the release of “feel-good” chemicals, otherwise known as endorphins, which boosts one’s mood and provides pain relief.
• It stimulates the nerves and in turn promotes the growth of healthy new tissue.
• This form of treatment also promotes a healthy immune response to resolve symptoms associated with various conditions.
• It restores the body’s natural balance in order to promote healing and normal functioning.

While treatment varies from case to case, it often takes more than one session to achieve desired results (such as those listed above) because treatment continues to build on the previous session’s progress. Additionally, the number of treatments deemed necessary will depend heavily on your symptoms as well as your ultimate mission in receiving acupuncture. In any case, an effective treatment plan can be created for you at Thriveworks Takoma Park and aid in your managing of physical and emotional issues.

Scheduling a Session at Thriveworks Takoma Park

Acupuncture has proven to help a variety of individuals manage a variety of problems, from low-back pain to neck pain, knee pain, headaches, and more. And there’s no good reason you can’t be one of those people! If you’re suffering with chronic pain and you’re sick of putting up with the headaches or sitting around, hoping your neck pain will pass, think about working with an acupuncturist at Thriveworks Takoma Park: they’re ready when you are.

To learn more about this service or to set up an appointment, give Thriveworks Takoma Park a call. A scheduling specialist will happily set you up with an experienced, caring healthcare provider who specializes in this area and is committed to helping you find relief through acupuncture.