Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a treatment routinely used in Bio Orthomechanics™ and plays an instrumental part in reducing pain and inflammation associated with sports injury.
Acupuncture has three primary effects.
It relieves pain. It reduces inflammation. It restores internal balance.
Nearly all disease, trauma or injury involves some degree of pain, inflammation and internal imbalance. In fact, research over the last several decades suggests that many serious conditions like heart disease previously thought to have other causes are in fact primarily caused by chronic inflammation. If we understand that most diseases are characterized by pain, inflammation and disturbance of homeostasis, we begin to understand why acupuncture can be effective for so many conditions.
There is now a large body of reliable studies documenting the following benefits of acupuncture:
- Increased blood flow. Studies using functional MRI have shown changes in blood flow. This is significant because everything the body needs to heal is in the blood, including oxygen, nutrients we absorb from food, immune substances, hormones, analgesics (painkillers) and anti-inflammatories. Restoring proper blood flow is vital to promoting and maintaining health.
- Decreased inflammation. Thermography can be used to produce images showing the lacation and intensity of inflammation in the body. Acupuncture’s ability to reduce inflammation has been documented using thermography. Before, during and after images of inflamed joints and surrounding tissue provided proof of reduction in both scope and intensity of the inflammation. Reduction in inflammation supports the body healing itself.
- Release of natural painkillers. Studies measuring changes in blood chemistry indicate a release of endorphins, norepinephrine and enkephalin in response to acupuncture. Some of these substances are 10-200 times more potent than morphine.
- Relaxation of shortened muscles. This in turn releases pressure on joint structures and nerves, and promotes blood flow.
- Stress Reduction. This is perhaps the most important systemic effect of acupuncture. Recent research suggests that acupuncture stimulates the release of oxytocin, a hormone and signaling substance that regulates the parasympathetic nervous system. Recent research has implicated impaired parasympathetic function in a wide range of autoimmune diseases, including arthritis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. Additionally studies monitoring brain activity during acupuncture indicated the part of the brain associated with rest and restoration lit up.
Acupuncture is a treatment routinely used in Bio-Orthomechanics™ and plays an instrumental part in reducing pain and inflammation associated with sports injury.