What is contemporary medical acupuncture?
Contemporary Medical Acupuncture is a precise peripheral nerve stimulation technique, in which acupuncture needles are inserted into anatomically defined sites and stimulated manually or with electricity for the therapeutic purpose of modulating pain and other dysfunctions. The insertion of needles is based on an extensive knowledge of neuromuscular anatomy. Acupuncture stimulates the nervous system to put the body’s natural mechanisms of healing into action, and according to the scientific literature, it is one of the safest therapies in the hands of trained health care professionals.
In some cases, Dr. Toner also uses electro-acupuncture. Needles are electrically stimulated by various frequencies and voltages by attachment to a battery-powered machine using wires with small clips on the ends. Low-frequency stimulation (2-4 Hz) results in a slow onset of pain relief that outlasts the treatment for hours to days and is often cumulative by repeating treatments. High-frequency stimulation (80-200 Hz) results in a pain-blocking effect that is fast in onset but does not usually outlast the stimulation. Electro-acupuncture helps to enhance the effect of acupuncture on the Central Nervous System.
The Benefits of Acupuncture
The scientifically proven benefits of acupuncture include: pain relief, inflammation reduction, improved blood flow, stress reduction, improved nerve conduction, improved range of motion, as well as improved organ function. It is a very safe and effective method of treatment and most patients feel very minimal to no discomfort as the needles are inserted. Some commonly treated conditions include:
- Headaches
- Neck & Back pain
- Muscle Pain or Strains
- Stress and Tension Syndromes
- Golfer’s/Tennis Elbow
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Rotator Cuff Dysfunction
- Frozen Shoulder
- Bursitis
- Shin Splints
- Knee Pain
- Nerve Pain
- Sciatica
- Arthritis
