When treating systemic issues, such as digestive difficulties, stress/anxiety, insomnia, reproductive and gynecological concerns to name just a few, both
Traditional Chinese and Japanese style needling techniques are employed. Very fine, pre-sterilized, single-use disposable needles are placed into the skin along both meridian points and “ashi” points (locations where someone might feel tenderness to pressure). Generally speaking, patients don’t feel the needle insertion. Once in place however, they may experience a gentle pressure, slight ache, or feel a vague sensation of movement throughout the area of needling and the meridians in general. Patients often report feeling relaxed both during and after treatment.
Trigger Point Therapy has its basis in Western medicine but can be effectively performed with a “dry” needling technique in which no chemical agents are injected into the muscle, but rather sterile acupuncture needles are used to effect the same outcome. This technique may be utilized when someone is suffering from acute or chronic pain that has not resolved on its own or with the help of other treatment modalities. Trigger points are contractures that develop when muscles are either pushed to the extreme, such as in sports or an auto accident, or when used repeatedly in small repetitive motions, such as when using a computer mouse. Thin needles are inserted into these areas, which creates an electrical discharge on the cellular level and allows a muscle that is “stuck” in its contracted state to relax once again, thus allowing for both greater range of motion and performance with little to no discomfort.
The technique employed at Alternative Care of Colorado is not Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS), but rather a gentler technique that produces similar, if not superior, results.
Ms. Suddard has also had the privilege to study under Dr. Lu Ding-Hou of China and has learned his Oblique Acupuncture technique. This is a very specific technique developed by Dr. Lu that has been scientifically shown to heal damaged and torn muscles in a fraction of the time it would take for the body to heal on its own, thus allowing competitive athletes to return to their sports sooner.
With any style of acupuncture there are risks. These risks are extremely rare but can include pneumothorax, injury to internal organs or nerves, bruising, swelling, or infection at the insertion site. Sterile needles are always used to reduce the risk of infection. The most common side effect is occasional small areas of bruising, but generally there is not even a speck of visible blood. Please address any concerns you may have to your practitioner.
For the needle sensitive, both acupressure and microcurrent electrical therapy (MET) can be employed. Acupressure is simply the use of manual pressure over either traditional acupuncture points or areas involving trigger points. This helps to resolve both energetic blockages and relax contracted muscles. MET is provided via an Alpha-Stim® 100, which is an FDA cleared device in the treatment of pain, anxiety, insomnia, and depression. With MET, small probes are placed on the skin which directs a current of less than one millionth of an ampere through an area. This helps the body to “turn down” the pain signals, and normalize the function of the areas being treated. For more information on Alpha-Stim® technology, please refer to our sister site:
TheProvenRemedy.com.
Dietary and Lifestyle changes may be necessary to complete your treatment and to maintain your balanced state of wellbeing. Things like the types and amounts of food you eat, your exercise routines, how much you stretch, as well as sleep and work habits play an important role in your health. Each of these areas will be addressed during your treatment at our clinic to maximize your healing process. Herbal therapy may also be employed to speed your recovery and will be addressed on an individual basis.