What is Pain?

Consensus medicine defines pain as being an unpleasant emotional and sensory experience that is mostly associated with actual or potential tissue damage. In medical diagnosis, pain is also viewed as a symptom of an underlying condition.

Pain is often the trigger the affected individual needs to withdraw from damaging situations, to protect an injured body part so it heals, and to prevent the recurrence of similar experiences in the future.

Pain is broadly classified into two types: Acute and Chronic Pain

Acute pain lasts for a short time and arises following surgery or trauma or other condition to a part of the affected individual’s body. This kind of pain is often a warning to the sufferer to seek help. Most of the time it will improve as the body heals, but sometimes it does not.

Chronic Pain is defined as lasting beyond the recovery period for healing following an accident, trauma or some other condition. At other times, chronic pain may indicate some other grave medical issue. In some cases, chronic pain may n be traceable to any causes.

Pain is the most common reason for consulting a doctor in most developed countries. In Canada alone, research shows that back pain, migraines, and other chronic pain hinder about one in 10 Canadians aged 12 to 44; leading to feelings of dejectedness and a reduction in the quality of life.

The treatment options for pain cases include medications{ generally defined as painkillers and Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDS)}, therapy, mind-body techniques as well as Acupuncture.

Acupuncture and Pain Relief

More and more individuals are embracing Acupuncture as an effective means of treating/managing incidences of pain. Acupuncture is a type of treatment that involves inserting very thin needles through a person’s skin at specific points on the body, to various depths. The overall aim is to restore balance in the pathways of the affected individual because it is believed that pain results from a disruption in this order (otherwise known as an imbalance of the body’s forces).

The key tool in acupuncture is the use of therapeutic needles, that are inserted in the over 350 acupuncture points found on the body.

Acupuncture points are defined as places where nerves, muscles, and connective tissue can receive stimulation, as delivered by the use of needles. This stimulation increases/ restores blood flow, while at the same time triggering the activity of the body’s natural painkillers. The basic philosophy behind Acupuncture is energizing the body to effectively deal with the occurrence of pain and heal itself.

An acupuncturist is trained in the use of this treatment form in the management of pain. Depending on the site of the discomfort, Acupuncture is reputed as being effective in the treatment of the following:

• low back pain
• neck pain
• osteoarthritis
• knee pain
• headache and migraine

Research reveals that Acupuncture also proves effective in combating other associated/underlying medical conditions including high/low blood pressure, painful periods, peptic ulcer, facial pain, morning sickness, tennis elbow as well as dental pain among others.

Other commonly seen pain conditions seen in the clinic are:

• Abdominal Pain
• Arthritic Pain
• Golfers Elbow
• Period Pain
• Tennis Elbow
• TMJ

What Can You Expect in an Acupuncture Appointment For Pain Relief?

1. After making your appointment either by booking online or calling reception, you will receive an email with paperwork and information about our practice location.
2. When you arrive at the clinic you will be greeted and offered herbal tea.
3. Then Paul will go through your consultation and discuss medical history.
4. A treatment plan is formulated and Paul will explain the best course of action such as acupuncture, cupping, electroacupuncture, heat therapy, herbal medicine etc.
5. The aim of acupuncture for pain relief is to take pain away instantly within the treatment so that you’ll leave the office without pain. This is the best outcome for any pain condition and is a common occurrence.
6. After treatment, Paul will discuss the treatment plan and any exercises or lifestyle changes that can help you recover faster.
7. Paul recommends 3 sessions to know how you’ll respond to acupuncture. This may be enough to resolve pain, however multiple sessions are recommended for long term chronic pain and stiffness.

For more information about acupuncture for pain go to:

1. acupuncture page
2. how does acupuncture work?
3. video about how acupuncture works without touching the area of pain
4. the acupuncture evidence project

Get started today. Make an acupuncture appointment for pain management in Antigonish now.

BOOK ONLINE