STYLES OF ACUPUNCTURE

• Origin: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is the foundation of traditional acupuncture. Modern acupuncture is an evidence-based medical intervention involving the stimulation of particular areas of the body (acupuncture points, muscles, tendons, and other anatomical structures) by the insertion of thin, solid, sterile acupuncture needles. While it is based on the concept of balancing the flow of qi (life force energy) it is further refined by modern science.
• Technique: Acupuncture needles essentially activate receptors that communicate with the central nervous, endocrine and cardiovascular systems, resulting in the release of natural pain-killing substances and the dilation of blood vessels, which then deliver oxygen, nutrient-rich blood, hormones, immune factors and other substances required for health to areas of the body that are undernourished or dysfunctional in some way, thereby treating a wide range of conditions, including pain, digestive issues, stress, and more.
• Goal: Traditional acupuncture aims to restore harmony and balance in the body, addressing not just the symptoms but also the underlying causes of illness or discomfort.
• Approach: Treatment plans in traditional acupuncture are often tailored to the individual's constitution and patterns of disharmony identified by the practitioner through methods such as pulse diagnosis and tongue examination.

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Acupuncture is one aspect of Chinese Medicine, which also includes herbal therapy, moxibustion, Qi Gong, Tui Na (medicinal massage), etc.  

What conditions can acupuncture treat? 

How safe is acupuncture? 

• Focus: Orthopedic acupuncture specifically targets musculoskeletal issues, such as pain, inflammation, and dysfunction in muscles, joints, and connective tissues.
• Technique: Practitioners may use a combination of traditional acupuncture points along with points focused on the affected area. They may also integrate additional techniques such as manual therapy, cupping, or electroacupuncture to address orthopedic concerns.
• Goal: The primary objective of orthopedic acupuncture is to alleviate pain, improve mobility, and facilitate healing in orthopedic conditions like sports injuries, arthritis, or repetitive strain injuries.
• Approach: Treatment plans in orthopedic acupuncture often involve a comprehensive assessment of the musculoskeletal system to identify areas of dysfunction and develop targeted treatment strategies.

• Focus: In its purses form, dry needling treats musculoskeletal and neuromuscular pain by releasing trigger points.
• Technique: Dry needling involves the insertion of needles directly into trigger points or knots in muscles, fascia, or connective tissues. Unlike acupuncture, which follows the principles of TCM, dry needling focuses primarily on anatomical and neurophysiological principles.
• Goal: Dry needling aims to release muscular tension, improve blood flow, and alleviate pain by targeting specific areas of muscle dysfunction.
• Approach: Practitioners of dry needling typically use knowledge of anatomy and palpation skills to locate trigger points and apply precise needle insertion techniques to elicit a therapeutic response. 

In summary, traditional acupuncture aims for overall balance and harmony in the body, while orthopedic acupuncture targets neuromusculoskeletal issues specifically. Dry needling is more focused technique targeting pain and muscular tension, without necessarily adhering to the principles of TCM.

• Electro-acupuncture - Ash has training in advanced techniques using      electronic stimulation of acupuncture points and channels to increase the      efficacy of treatments when applicable and speed healing times.
• Cupping/myofascial decompression - this technique has been used for centuries in East Asian medicine and has recently caught on with many allied health professions (massage, chiropractic, physical therapy, etc.). It has been shown to decrease mechanical connective tissue changes following inflammation or trauma, decrease myofascial dysfunction, scar adhesions, scar tissue; and decrease myofascial syndromes such as faulty patterning due to hypertonic muscles.
• Gua Sha - a healing technique of traditional East Asian medicine, defined as instrument-assisted unidirectional press-stroking of a lubricated area of the body surface to intentionally create transitory therapeutic peticheae (called      "sha") representing extravasation of blood in the subcutis. Modern research shows Gua Sha produces an immuno-protective and anti-inflammatory effect.

Our acupuncture treatments for women's health can help with a range of issues, including menstrual cramps, PMS, menopause symptoms, and fertility. Our acupuncturists are trained to provide personalized care that targets your specific needs.

Sports acupuncture is another area of particular interest to me and falls under the general category of orthopedics.

​The goals of sports acupuncture treatment are simple: increase performance and decrease injury rehabilitation time. In my practice I strive to always consider the underlying health and habits of the individual so I may treat the person and not just the injury.

 In 2011, I completed a Acupuncture Sports Medicine Apprenticeship with Whitfield Reaves and worked for years as one of his assistants teachers. I've also studied modern neuroanatomy and physiology as a way of refining ancient Chinese medical theory and techniques within the context of modern pain medicine. 

Conditions treated:

• strains
• sprains
• tendonitis
• overuse injury
• muscle imbalances 
• general performance enhancement and overall balance 

After treating many many runners early on in my career, I was led to the "discovery" of an extraordinary point that is useful in treatment of many lower leg and foot problems. (Please see my article, "The Runner's Point," published in the Journal of Chinese Medicine in 2011.)

Depending on the athlete's presentation the focus of treatment may be on an injury itself, balancing opposing muscle groups or injury prevention. Typically a patient will be seen one to two times per week in the injury phase and somewhat less frequently for maintenance and performance enhancement.