Acupuncture Treatment for Car Accident

Acupuncture is an effective method to treat pain caused from a car accident.  Acupuncture treatment is performed at least twice a week for the first several weeks on patients experiencing pain from an injury.  The treatment works to reduce pain, swelling, and bruising.  Acupuncturists believe it’s important that the patient feels the needle in the acupuncture spot to feel ultimate pain relief.  Needles are placed in these spots to reduce tension that causes discomfort and works to improve conditions of the sore area. 

Herbal Therapy

Herbal therapy is combined with acupuncture treatment and speeds up the healing process.  Herbs are either cooked at the physician’s office or patients can cook them at home.  Patients are required to mix the herbs in water and drink it during the same time period as acupuncture treatment occurs.  Herbs improve blood circulation in the tender area and advance recovery of nerve cells, making the recovery process much faster.  It improves the flow of bio-energy and helps remove bad bio-energy from the path flow.  Bad bio-energy is considered stagnated blood, or toxins that are blocking positive energy from flowing throughout the body.  Bad bio-energy needs some type of herbal to remove it from the body’s system.  The combination of acupuncture and Herbal Therapy treatment have proved to decrease pain and discomfort in patients who experience trauma effects from a car accident.      

Unnoticed Injuries

Almost 3 million people are injured from car accidents every year and nearly half these injuries are permanent.  Some injuries are not diagnosed or treated, leading to more problems in the long run.  After a car accident, a driver may appear uninjured, but in several months, that person may feel the affects of the accident.  Individuals may experience tension headaches, stiff joints, neck pain, or back pain.  If left untreated, these symptoms may get worse over time.  Many people do not get diagnosed and mask the pain with braces and pain medications that do not resolve the problem.  The most efficient way to reduce pain from a car accident is to visit a chiropractor. 

Visit to the Chiropractor

On your first visit to the chiropractor, he/she will take x-rays of the injured area to diagnose the problem and select the proper treatment.  It is surprising as to how misaligned some individual’s necks may become after a car accident.  To reduce pain, chiropractors can realign your neck by spinal manipulation, muscle stimulation, and exercise techniques.  This treatment is effective because it corrects the problem rather than prescribing medications to mask the pain.  It is a noninvasive treatment, as there is no surgery involved.  Chiropractic treatment is safe for everyone and it’s strongly encouraged that everyone gets checked out by a chiropractor.  It is wise to visit a chiropractor after a car accident to ensure that all hidden injuries will not occur in the long run.  Many times insurance companies will pay for chiropractic treatment if the injuries are related to a car accident. 

Acupuncture Treatment

Nearly 80 percent of the population is affected by some type of back pain during their lifetime.  Researchers studied a group of 1,000 people receiving six months of acupuncture treatment for back pain.  More than half of the group experienced improvement.  Many studies are showing that acupuncture relieves back aches for a long period of time and effectively cures the condition.  More individuals are seeking acupuncture treatment as an alternative to pain medication and surgery as there are no negative side effects to acupuncture.      

Does it hurt?

Typically, an acupuncture session lasts for an hour and a half and is painless.  Patients may feel a pinch when needles are first inserted, but generally pain is not encountered during treatment.  Some sensations that may occur during acupuncture treatment range from nothing at all to mild tingling or slight numbness, but subside once the needle are removed.  The needles used are very thin and a lot smaller than the hypodermic needles used in hospitals or health facilities.  Most patients actually say that acupuncture is relaxing and experience better improved function than when they first arrived.  Sometimes patients will need to go through 5-10 treatments before experiencing any positive effects from acupuncture.         

Causes of Lower Back Discomfort

Almost 80 percent of the population will suffer from some type of lower back discomfort during their lifetime.  There is no way to cure back pain, but acupuncture has proven to be an effective long term treatment for lower back discomfort.  Acupuncture treatment can relieve back pain for six months or longer with out any negative side effects.  Reasons for lower back pain are sprains, overstretching of the muscles, and strains, tearing of the muscles.  Sprains and strains typically occur from a sports injury, bad posture, or lifting heavy materials.  A herniated disc, a disc that bulges out from the spine, is also a common cause of lower back discomfort.   

Study Proves Effectiveness of Acupuncture

In 2009, a study was performed on 639 people who suffered from different levels of back pain.  Each patient was asked to rate their pain on a scale from 1-10.  Based on their answers, they were placed into four different groups.  Patients were given acupuncture treatments twice a week for three weeks, and then once a week for four weeks.  Researchers measured improvement after 8 weeks and found that all patients had shown signs of improvement.  They also measured any improvements after treatment on week 26 and 56.  They found that all patients had maintained improvement up to a year or more.  Acupuncture is becoming more popular as a treatment method as it provides patients with long term pain relief.  It only takes several sessions to cure acute pain, while reoccurring pain may require more sessions. 

Acupuncture Treatment Proven to Reduce Back Pain

A study done by the National Institute of Health said that nearly 80 percent of people will suffer from some type of lower back pain during their lifetime.  Currently, more people are seeking natural healing methods as opposed to prescribed medication or surgery to treat back pain.  A study released in the British Medical Journal said that patients who experienced 10 sessions of acupuncture had less back pain after a 24-month follow up.  Researchers studied 241 people between the ages of 18 and 65 who experienced some type of consistent back pain.  One group was treated with typical treatment such as medication and exercises, while the other group was treated with 10 acupuncture sessions.  The results showed that patients were more satisfied with acupuncture treatment and had less concern about their back pain.  Researchers said that acupuncture was an effective way to treat persistent back pain. 

Additional Information

Acupuncture treatment is most effective when frequent sessions are followed by weekly visits as pain begins to decrease.  This gives the patient the opportunity to provide their feedback about the treatment to the acupuncture specialist.  If the acupuncture sessions aren’t working, the physician can refer the patient to another specialist or provide an alternative treatment.  Additional treatment may consist of aerobic exercises, yoga, or balancing and strengthening exercises.

Nearly 80% of the population will suffer from some type of back pain during their lifetime.  While there is no cure for back pain, acupuncture is a safe and effective method to relieve back pain for six months or longer.  Acupuncture increases the flow of energy which stimulates the natural healing process.  Typically, when needles are inserted in the skin it provides instant pain relief.  During a session there could be as many as twenty needles inserted into the problem areas of the body.  Some needles may be inserted on the surface of the skin, while others will be placed several inches into the layers of fat or muscles.  Typically, the needles will be inserted into the area for 15-30 minutes.  The acupuncturist may rotate the needles to increase the flow of energy in the body.  In some instances, the needles are warmed to intensify the process.  The points that the needles are inserted in are usually a distance from the actual part of the body that is causing the pain.  For example, if a patient is using acupuncture to relieve back pain, the acupuncturist will place needles in their hands, feet, or some other place further from the back.  Inserting the needle in a distant part is important because it relieves acute back pain.  Acute back pain can often be relieved in just several sessions, but reoccurring back pain may require more specific medical treatment.  A study done in a Swedish hospital showed that acupuncture decreased problems with patients who suffered from long term back pain.  The study also stated that patients had improved sleep patterns compared to the group of patients taking the placebo treatment.  Acupuncture is popular because it is a natural healing process that provides many patients with short and long term pain relief.  

There are many different neck therapies available to a patient.  It is crucial that the patient understand the key differences between each neck therapy and treatment before they continue on one path.  There are many therapeutic natural approaches as well as approaches that incorporate medication, injections, and strict exercising.  If you have already visited a doctor you may want to try alternative treatments as these will also assist in treating neck pain.

Treatments:

Acupuncture

You may choose to visit an acupuncturist; they can help in managing neck pain in a more natural way. Acupuncturists use long needles that are inserted in origins within the body, these needles are used to help release toxins and mange the pain felt within your neck.  Typically the acupuncture treatment is done in less than thirty minutes, the pain is very minimal, and you can go back to your daily activities after your visit.  This is a great natural approach for someone who isn’t interested in taking pain medication or scheduling to take injections. 

Chiropractic

Another option a patient has is to visit a chiropractor.  Chiropractors will help the patient by adjusting their back and spine into their natural position.  Typically adjustments are made once a week or a few times a month depending on the severity of the neck pain felt by the patient.  Chiropractors may also use other in house equipment and traction devices to help stretch the neck and remove the tension felt. 

Physical Therapy

Another option is for the patient to schedule an appointment with a physical therapist.  They will assist the patient in doing a series of in house exercises and stretches to stretch and strengthen the neck and back.  These exercises are typically done with the aid of machines or with the aid of the physical therapists.  This allows you to get the correct range of motion within your neck.  In most cases, you may see your physical therapist once or twice a week depending on the severity of the neck pain.

There are many different treatment options available to patients who are experiencing neck pain.  It’s essential that you research different doctors and specialists in your area before you make an appointment.  Some doctors will prescribe pain medication while others use natural medicine, herbal remedies, or acupuncture to relieve the neck tension and pain.  Other specialists may incorporate physical therapy or in house adjustments, accompanied by massage and exercise techniques.  It’s also essential that you understand your severity before contacting a specialist or doctor.  You may also call to speak with a nurse to see if your symptoms are severe enough to come in and be seen.

Massage Therapy

If your pain isn’t severe enough to visit a doctor you can also schedule to see a massage therapist.  Massage therapists can massage and stretch the neck muscles to offer instant and long term relief to the patient.   You may need to be seen every other week or once a month to correct the pain in your neck.  Your massage therapist will typically recommend a treatment plan that will fit your severity and needs. 

Acupuncture

Another option for patients who don’t have severe neck pain is to make an appointment with a specialist who specializes in acupuncture or acupressure treatments for the neck.  This homeopathic approach will stimulate and offer pain relief to the neck muscle and relieve tension and stress felt in the neck, as well as the upper back.  This neck treatment will incorporate long thin needles that are placed in different areas of the head and neck, typically there is no pain associated with this in house neck treatment. 

When to see your Doctor

The third option is for someone who is experiencing more severe neck pain.  If your neck pain has been extremely severe and worsens over a days or weeks, then you may want to schedule a visit with your medical doctor to ensure you don’t have a serious injury. If your neck pain is sudden and severe to the point where you cannot walk, see, or faint you will want to be seen in the emergency room to properly assess the damage.

Acupuncture works through the use of needles in precise locations in the body that correspond to bodily organs and functions.  Acupuncture works with the body rather than against it; therefore, enabling the body to heal itself.  Acupuncture also can be used as a form of anesthesia to remove pain.  The purpose of using Acupuncture needles is to remove blockages in the flow of Qi Meridians in the body. 

QI

Practitioners of Acupuncture discovered the Qi Meridians when a systematic flow of energy was found in the body.  Blockages in the vital energy of Qi can result in a multitude of symptoms and ailments.  Acupuncture can quickly provide healing to patients, but often Acupuncture must be employed on a regular basis to keep the body’s Qi in balance. 

Benefits

Common ailments that can be treated by Acupuncture include:  allergies, urinary tract infections, muscle and joint pain, hypertension, anemia, anxiety, and anorexia.  Acupuncture needles are much different from needles used by Medical practitioners; the needles are very thin allowing insertion with little or no pain.[1] By regularly scheduling an Acupuncture appointment, patients can keep their body in a healthy, optimal state.  When Acupuncture is combined with regular Chiropractic adjustments, patients position their bodies on the best course for long-term health.

Acupuncture has been rapidly gaining popularity among the medical community throughout the United States, however many people really have little knowledge about what exactly an acupuncture treatment entails. The basic idea of acupuncture is to maintain a proper flow of qi (pronounced chee) in order to keep the body healthy. There are over two thousand acupuncture points on the body connected to twenty meridians that conduct this qi, or energy. In medical terms, acupuncture helps to stimulate the central nervous system which in turn releases chemicals to the brain, spinal cord and muscles. This can be very helpful with a variety of health problems.

Typical Treatment

So what should you expect during acupuncture treatments? During your first visit, the acupuncturist will take a thorough history to help in diagnosing your health problem. This diagnosis will determine which type of acupuncture treatment plan you will be given. As with any medical treatment, there are health conditions that are contraindicated for acupuncture. It is very important to discuss all health issues with the licensed acupuncturist. An acupuncture session generally lasts from ten to thirty minutes with one to twenty very thin needles inserted at various acupuncture points. Many acupuncturists will also attach the needles to electrical stimulation to enhance the health effects overall. Patients report very minimal sensation when the needles are inserted and there are generally no negative side effects related to acupuncture. An acupuncturist will normally design a treatment plan lasting from three to ten sessions, depending on the type of health problem. A patient with chronic health issues may need one to two treatments per week for a few months whereas a patient with acute issues will generally require fewer visits. It is important to contact your health insurance provider as some companies now cover acupuncture visits.

References Cited in this Article

www.medicalacupuncture.org

www.aurorahealthcare.org

www.spine-health.com