Acupuncture Post Surgery
Acupuncture Post Surgery
I have been receiving a lot of questions lately on how acupuncture fits into a healthcare plan for those who are going into surgery or looking to receive acupuncture treatment post surgery. These questions will serve as the outline for this blog post. If you have any additional questions regarding acupuncture for pain management, acupuncture post surgery, or acupuncture in general please contact me and I'd love to answer your questions!
Can acupuncture be used to reduce postoperative pain?
Absolutely, acupuncture is a safe and effective method to reduce postoperative pain, discomfort, swelling, bruising, etc. Acupuncture is a wonderful holistic form of medicine for the management pain and pain relief. Additionally, acupuncture is often advised to prepare the body and mind for surgery. Ideally, a few appointments prior to surgery can jumpstart the healing process. And, can often eliminate the need for surgery altogether! Acupuncture is a great resource to treat many conditions that Western medicine deems 'untreatable'. Having a different perspective and approach to your health care is always advisable before going through with any elective surgery.
Does acupuncture reduce the need for pain medication?
Acupuncture minimizes the need for the use of opioids and pain medication. A recent study, has demonstrated that acupuncture can be more effective than morphine. Acupuncture also has limited to no side effects whereas, pain medication and opioid usage over time can lead to an increased tolerance. If a patient has a long recovery ahead of them, this increased tolerance requires the patient to use a larger dose of pain medication to experience the same level of pain relief. Increased tolerance can lead to dependence. Dependence is a result of the high levels of chemical neurotransmitters circulating within the blood stream, leading the body's inability to produce these chemicals naturally. Acupuncture has a long history as a safe and effective painkiller, is an excellent modality to reduce general and postoperative inflammation, and the ability to boost immunity and immune system health.
What are the effects of acupuncture and how quickly will I experience pain relief?
Scientific research suggests that acupuncture stimulates specific points on the body to release chemicals into the nervous system and into the bloodstream. The release of chemicals changes the experience of pain. The experience triggers the release of other substances that influence the body's innate ability to heal.
Brain scans show that acupuncture normalizes the signals that reach your limbic system, which is the system that controls the "fight or flight" response. Almost every patient we see is transformed from being on edge to calm, relaxed and zen-like. And the reason is acupuncture works to reset the autonomic nervous system, and once reset, the body can restore to homeostasis or normal functioning.
Acupuncture is rooted in the concept of total vitality. Patients with presenting symptoms such as chronic low back pain, neck pain, tension headaches, fertility issues, anxiety, insomnia, digestive discomfort or any other issues that affect their daily living, are considered warning signs that their health is out of balance. Acupuncture works as the ultimate form of preventative and restorative medicine. Acupuncture works to re-establish harmony by stimulating acupuncture points with specific needle insertion techniques to restore total vitality.
Acupuncture is commonly believed to affect the body in the following ways:
It stimulates electrical impulses in the body and the flow of endorphins. Endorphins are the body's natural painkiller. Acupuncture needles stimulate the signals that control the flow of endorphins in the body.
It releases naturally occurring opioids in the brain. A natural pain-relieving opioid can be released in the brain when the precise location and combination of acupuncture needle points are utilized.
Are there any side effects of acupuncture postoperatively?
There are limited to no side effects of receiving acupuncture postoperatively. A 2016 meta-analysis demonstrated that patients treated with acupuncture on Day 1 postoperative had less pain and less opioid use compared to the control group. Additionally, those treated with acupuncture did not experience undesirable side effects of opioid drugs such as, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, sedition, or decreased gut motility. If you are looking for a safe and effective postoperative pain control then try acupuncture!
Are they any clinical trials or controlled studies on acupuncture and post operative pain?
Yes, there are both clinical trials and controlled studies on the benefits of acupuncture. Acupuncture has been shown to benefit the body in a number of ways. Pain relief/easing pain, neurologic injury, weight loss, nausea/vomiting, hot flashes, tinnitus to name a few. At North Shore Acupuncture and Natural Medicine we specialize in acupuncture for fertility, women’s health, mental health, digestion, musculoskeletal & pain conditions, and pediatric acupuncture. If your health condition, doesn't fall within our specialities that doesn't mean we can't treat you! We utilize Japanese style acupuncture which can be used for many conditions and can treatment child as young as 3 weeks to older adults. Make the choice to improve, maintain or enhance your health! Enjoy a life full of joy, health and happiness. We look forward to supporting you every step of the way!
About Our Acupuncture Clinic:
North Shore Acupuncture and Natural Medicine is an acupuncture clinic in Beverly, MA. We utilize acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and natural medicine restore optimal health and wellness. Employing traditional and modern approaches to enhance your health and longevity.
