Needles? No thank you. Not a big fan of needles? Do you tightly close your eyes during a vaccination? If you are the one who avoids needles, it may be the last treatment modality you would seek out. And you may be scaring yourself out of a fascinating and effective alternative therapy. Acupuncture is one of the alternative therapies provided by Viaro Therapeutics, along with massage and chiropractic.
Acupuncture is the insertion of very thin needles through the skin at strategic points on your body. As a therapy, it is most commonly used to treat pain and other health disorders, and many other health challenges. Acupuncture can be a great alternative if you do not tolerate medication well or wish to avoid their side effects. Beyond pain relief, acupuncturist Dr. Fusheng (Frank) Lan of Viaro Therapeutics treats people regularly for conditions such as tinnitus or ringing of the ears, vertigo and dizziness, headaches and migraines, chemotherapy-induced and pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting, fibromyalgia, sleep disorders, and the list goes on.
Did you know that beyond treatment for joint or lower back pain, acupuncture can be an effective treatment for pinched nerves and neuropathy? And there are many who receive acupuncture for stress and relaxation, or for anxiety and depression. Do you have high blood pressure? Acupuncture has also been shown to be effective in lowering blood pressure. Women also seek acupuncture treatment for menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats.
You can do it! If you are afraid of needles, here is some good news. The acupuncture needle is different from those used for drawing blood or for injection. The needle has a special pointed tip for piercing. Depending upon the reason for treatment, you can expect your practitioner to use anywhere between five to 20 needles, but let that fear go. You will rarely feel the “poke.” You may just feel mild pressure when the needle reaches its intended depth. The tiny needles are rarely felt when removed, and side effects are rare and few. Often, just being still for the 15 minutes the needles are left in may leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed. In fact, you may leave an acupuncture treatment feeling a little sleepy.
If you’re looking for an alternative to medication to treat pain, looking to avoid aggressive surgeries, or have not found success with conventional medicine for issues you’re facing, consider acupuncture. If you’re unsure if your diagnosis or pain issue can be effectively treated through acupuncture, reach out and ask. Would you like to know how it works? Dr. Frank Lan of Viaro Therapeutics would be happy to relay his experiences with you and answer your questions.
Lisa Hoffe
Patient Liaison, ViaroTherapeutics
For questions or comments, contact wellness@viarohealth.com