Ross Acupuncture Oakland

Oakland Acupuncture

Orthopedic Acupuncture Vs. Traditional: What is the Difference?

Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that has been used for thousands of years to treat a wide range of health conditions. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the use of acupuncture to treat orthopedic conditions, such as back pain, neck pain, and joint pain. While traditional acupuncture and orthopedic acupuncture share many similarities, there are also some important differences between the two.

An antique illustration of a human

Traditional Acupuncture

Traditional acupuncture is based on the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, which hold that the body has energy channels known as meridians, which can be blocked or unbalanced, leading to pain, illness, or disease. Regular acupuncture involves inserting needles into specific points along these meridians to stimulate the flow of energy and restore balance to the body. These meridians all follow the same pathways of the nerves and blood vessels. So closely in fact, that it proves ancient Chinese physicians were doing very precise dissections of bodies. Every nerve trunk and brance has an acupuncture point associated with it.

During a traditional acupuncture session, the acupuncturist will assess the patient’s symptoms, medical history, and overall health to determine which points to target. The needles used in regular acupuncture are thin and flexible, and they are inserted at various depths, depending on the patient’s condition and the acupuncturist’s expertise. The needles are left in place for 15 to 30 minutes while the patient relaxes. The acupuncturist may also use other techniques, such as moxibustion (burning dried mugwort near the skin) or cupping (using suction cups to create a vacuum on the skin), to enhance the treatment.

Orthopedic Acupuncture

Orthopedic acupuncture involves a thorough assessment of the patient’s medical history, physical examination, and imaging studies. The acupuncturist will then use a variety of techniques, such as dry needling (inserting needles directly into the affected muscles or trigger points), electroacupuncture (stimulating the needles with electrical currents), and tuina (Chinese massage), to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and promote healing.

The needles used in orthopedic acupuncture are thicker and stronger than those used in regular acupuncture, and they are inserted deeper into the muscles and tissues. The acupuncturist may also use other modalities, such as heat therapy, stretching, and exercise, to enhance the treatment. Moxibustion, cupping, and gua sha are also used in an orthopedic session as indicated.

Wooden Acupuncture Model (acupuncture figure)
Wooden Acupuncture Model (acupuncture figure) by Unknown maker is licensed under CC-BY-SA 4.0

Differences Between the Two Styles

The main differences between traditional and orthopedic acupuncture are their focus and techniques. Regular acupuncture focuses on balancing the body’s energy, blood and body fluids, and treating a wide range of medical conditions. While orthopedic acupuncture focuses on musculoskeletal conditions and uses a combination of acupuncture and modern Western medical knowledge. The needles used in orthopedic acupuncture are thicker and stronger than those used in regular acupuncture, and they are inserted deeper into the muscles and tissues. The techniques used in orthopedic acupuncture are more targeted and specific to the affected area, while regular acupuncture involves a broader approach.

In conclusion, acupuncture is a versatile therapy that can be used to treat a wide range of medical conditions. Regular acupuncture and orthopedic acupuncture are two types of acupuncture that differ in their focus and techniques. Regular acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine and aims to balance the body’s energy, while orthopedic acupuncture focuses on musculoskeletal conditions and uses a combination of acupuncture and modern Western medical knowledge.

If you are considering using acupuncture for your musculoskeletal pain, it is highly recommended you seek out an orthopedically trained acupuncturist. Jennifer Ross, L.Ac has completed a two year post-graduate program in orthopedic acupuncture, and many continuing education hours on the subject.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

In my office,  “how does acupuncture work” is a very common question. Often new patients have no idea what to expect, and there is a bit of a magical aura around acupuncture. Especially when I put a needle in the ankle, and immediately the opposite wrist feels better. But it isn’t magic, it’s medicine, and there are 5 prevailing theories that the modern scientific community has come up with to explain acupuncture:

  • Augmentation of Immunity Theory

    Acupucnture needles being inserted into the back.

Acupuncture increases levels of triglycerides, specific hormones, prostaglandins, white blood counts, gamma globulins, opsonins, and overall anti-body levels, which improves immune function.

  • Endorphin Theory

Acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins, neurotransmitters found in the brain with morphine-like properties.

  • Neurotransmitter Theory

Acupuncture stimulates specific neurotransmitters (like serotonin or noradrenaline) . These neurotransmitters regulate the nervous system, allowing us to properly react to external and internal stimuli. This is the regulation of our reactions to things, like becoming overly stressed, or wanting to go to sleep all the time. [Read more…]

Is acupuncture good for ______?

(fill in the blank with any ailment you can think of)

Acupuncture is a complete system of medicine. Anything you go to your medical doctor for, you can see an acupuncturist for. But each have their relative strengths. If you coming down with a cold or flu, have chronic pain, allergies, digestive problems, menstrual pain, etc., try your acupuncturist. If you have been hit by a car, are having a heart attack or stroke, or having some other medical emergency, please, go to the emergency room. This is where western medicine definitely excels. There is a very large list of conditions that the World Health Organization has determined acupuncture to be very effective at treating.

You can check that out here:

http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/archives2004/oct/10amaro.html

More Frequently Asked Questions

Does acupuncture hurt?

I’m not going to lie here. Yes, sometimes, for a moment. The needles are very thin, literally hair thin, and most of the time you may feel a very slight prick as it touches your skin. That feeling is very momentary, and sometimes you don’t even notice that..

Other times, especially on the hands and feet where there is more nerve supply, the needle may feel a little sharp, but again, that is fleeting. Taking a deep breath into your belly, and breathing out slowly will ease any needle insertion, and decreases the sensitivity of the needle dramatically. The point is to feel the needle sensation (also knows as “de qi”), and to prompt your body to make a change, though we want to do this as comfortably as possible. After the initial insertion, the more important sensations you may notice could be a tingling, radiating or dull heavy feeling. If I am working on deeper ligaments you may definitely feel a more prominent dull ache. This is good. This is the feeling of energy, or qi, moving, and this is the point (eesh) of acupuncture, to move qi. Once the qi can move, blood will follow. That new blood in the area is what starts the healing process.

Acupucnture needles being inserted into the back.

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Am I supposed to feel something in my leg when you put it in my hand?

This is a very common occurrence. The phrase “everything is connected” is very relevant to acupuncture and Chinese medicine. Treating an arm by putting needles in your leg is very common, or a head for a back, or shoulder for a hip.  There are 6 major channels on each side of the body. Just one will run from the very end of your toes, up your legs and torso, to the top of your head, then back down to the tips of your fingers. If I put a needle in your ankle, you may very well feel a tingling qi sensation in your wrist.

More Frequently Asked Questions

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