Information

More and more patients are requesting complementary therapies, including acupuncture and Chinese herbs, and we believe we can help some of your patients through collaborative practice.  This section is meant to give other health care providers ideas on when acupuncture may be appropriate for their patients.  

Physicians

Physicians often ask us which patients will benefit from TCM.  Although this modality of healing is ancient, it is in its infancy in terms of modern day research, which makes it difficult to determine exactly who is going to benefit from acupuncture and/or Chinese herbs.  However modern medicine generally views the primary actions of acupuncture as regulating the body through enhancing its immune system and ability to regulate stress related reactions, as well as its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antispasmodic, and antiparalytic actions.  In 1979 the World Health Organization held an interregional seminar in Beijing, China, where  a provisional list of conditions that lend themselves to acupuncture treatment was drafted.  This list is based on clinical experience and not controlled clinical research, nevertheless the sheer weight of anecdotal evidence demanded that acupuncture should be considered as effective treatment for some diseases.

World Health Organization - Provisional List of Conditions Alleviated by Acupuncture

Infections colds and flu bronchitis hepatitis Internal hypoglycemia asthma high blood pressure ulcers colitis indigestion hemorrhoids diarrhea constipation diabetes Musculo-Skeletal and Neurological arthritis neuralgia sciatica frozen shoulder tennis elbow back pain bursitis tendonitis stiff neck Bell's palsy trigeminal neuralgia headache stroke cerebral palsy polio meneir's disease sprains

Ears, Eyes, Nose, and Throat deafness ringing in the ear menier's earaches poor eyesight dizziness sinus infection sore throat hay fever Dermatological eczema acne herpes Genito-Urinary and Reproductive impotence infertility pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) vaginitis irregular period or cramps morning sickness Mental and Emotional anxiety depression stress insomnia

We recognize that acupuncture is not appropriate for everyone.  However, there are several research studies since 1979 that show increased relief when acupuncture is combined with medical treatment for such conditions as acute and chronic pain, addictions, allergies, anxiety, depression, headache/migraine, infections, functional infertility, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, menopause,  menstrual problems, and wound healing difficulties to name a few. 

Another common question is when should a patient be referred to acupuncture.  There is no right or wrong answer to this question and should be based on the clinician's judgement.  While is is common for many Western Medical practioners to utilize TCM as a "last resort" for their patients, certain ailments, such as hypertension and diabetes, respond to acupuncture and/or chinese herbs best in the early stages of disease.  Regardless of the stage and/or severity of disease, TCM may be an excellent complement to modern medicine and the practitioners at AHHA will utilize all of our resources to provide the best care possible to all patients.

Chiropractors

The World Federation of Chiropractic defines chiropractic as "A health profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, and the effects of these disorders on the function of the nervous system and general health."  While chiropractic emphasizes manual treatments including spinal manipulation or adjustment, acupuncture focuses more on the inflammation, pain, and condition of the soft tissue surrounding or contributing to the offending misalignment.  Many chiropractors are already familiar with the benefits of acupuncture and are either trained in acupuncture or have a licensed acupuncturist on staff to administer therapy. From our own personal experience working with a chiropractor, patients who undergo chiropractic care and acupuncture together generally experience a faster and more complete return to functioning.  While acupuncture can complement almost any chiropractic treatment, we see the most benefit in patients with intractable sciatica or neck and/or shoulder pain.  Additionally, in patients who are difficult to adjust or who experience spasmodic pain after adjustment, pre-manipulation acupuncture is beneficial due to the level of relaxation reached during treatment.

Massage Therapists

Many acupuncturists start their career in the healing arts as licensed or registered massage therapists and a good number of acupuncturists participate in continuing education that includes massage therapy or asian bodywork.  Regardless of which came first or whether a practitioner is licensed in one or both of these modalities, the combination of the two produces superior results in injury recovery, pain reduction, relaxation and stress management.  While the practitioners at AHHA have training in asian bodywork, we prefer to focus on acupuncture and chinese herbs and allow other professionals to handle the intensive massage work that may be necessary.