Brazos Valley Acupuncture

In 1982,  Sir William Osler, known as the father of modern medicine, listed acupuncture as a treatment for low back pain in his text, ‘The Principles and Practice of Medicine’.  The World Health Organization (WHO) lists approximately 40 conditions treated by acupuncture alone or as an adjunctive therapy.  In the US, and in our clinic, it is most often used for pain relief, especially low back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain and headaches.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 1997 published a consensus statement concluding acupuncture was also promising for treatment of post operative pain, post dental pain, and nausea secondary to chemotherapy.  They also determined that it may be useful in:

• Fertility
• Stroke rehabilitation
• Fibromyalgia
• Osteoarthritis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Asthma

Chiropractors are trained primary portal of entry health care providers with 4 years undergraduate and 4 years chiropractic college. Under the chiropractic licensing statutes in Texas,  acupuncture falls within the scope of a doctor of chiropractic. The focus of treatment is usually related to musculoskeletal system, other conditions may be also helped.

Acupuncture was originally developed in China more than 5000 years ago as a treatment method for pain and body dysfunction, with the earliest known writings on acupuncture dating back to 200 BC. Vital energy (qi or ‘chi’) circulates through the body via pathways (meridians). The energy can become blocked, depleted or excessive. When the energy to a particular point or group of points is altered, the effects can show up in an area of the body or an entire body system Needling specific point that connect to the interior organs and structures at certain points (over 1000 of them) can restore the proper balance of qi. This can help to normalize the function of the area that has been affected.  This is achieved by the use of hair-fine needles placed at particular points around the body to help with pain, facilitate healing or promote a sense of well being.

There is a great deal of correlation between them. Trigger points are areas of muscle tension that can cause stiffness, restricted motion and both localized and referred pain. Acupuncture can often help with stubborn points that don’t respond to exercise therapy or massage.

There are two forms of diagnosis, the primary means being pulse examination of the six pulses of the wrist to determine balance of the twelve meridians. A more modern variation is the use of an computer program known as ‘ryodoraku’ or ‘Electro Meridian Imaging.’ Because pulse diagnosis takes many years to be proficient at, use of the computer program can be used accurately by any practitioner and is what is used at Brazos Valley Acupuncture.

Yes.  Acupuncture can be used in pregnancy, but points that stimulate the uterus should be avoided. Those with prosthetic joints cannot have direct contact of the needle and the prosthesis. People taking blood thinners or having bleeding abnormalities need extra care to avoid hematomas (bruising).