Four in 10 people, or 75 million Americans live with chronic pain.
Some try traditional medical treatment, such as medications, cortisone shots and surgery. Others try alternative medicine like acupuncture for relief. A combination may be best.
At Chiropractic Rehabilitation and Acupuncture in Indianapolis, IN, we provide top of the line acupuncture services to meet all our patients' needs. Our resident chiropractor and acupuncturist, Dr. Robert Ferguson, is highly qualified, having completed a fellowship with the International Academy of Medical Acupuncture after receiving his doctorate in chiropractic care from the Logan College of Chiropractic.
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a holistic, natural, ancient Chinese practice that is based on the belief in a life force energy called "Qi" that flows through the body. The Chinese believed that blockages in this energy were the root of most diseases and that acupuncture could remove these blockages. The name acupuncture comes from the Latin words "acus," meaning needle, and "punctura," meaning penetration. Acupuncture has gained traction in the western world in recent years for its effectiveness at treating ailments without surgery or medication. Essentially, acupuncture involves the insertion of extremely thin needles into specific points along various pathways or meridians in the body to stimulate healing responses. It is generally not painful at all.
At our clinic, we also offer electroacupuncture, which is a variation of acupuncture that involves stimulating the acupuncture points with electricity, similar to electrical muscle stimulation therapy.
Who can benefit from acupuncture?
Acupuncture has been shown to be effective in improving a wide variety of conditions, ranging from allergies to chronic pain. Our patients at Chiropractic Rehabilitation and Acupuncture in Indianapolis, IN, frequently benefit from acupuncture treatment when experiencing circulatory issues, sciatica, sprains, TMJ, hypertension, digestive issues, pinched nerves, some mental health issues, and many other ailments.
Acupuncture is generally a safe and effective treatment with very few side effects. However, it is not suitable for all patients. Dr. Ferguson will discuss your condition with you during your initial exam and help determine whether acupuncture is an appropriate course of treatment. If it is, it will become a part of your custom treatment plan.
If you would like to see if acupuncture is right for you, we encourage you to book an appointment with Dr. Ferguson at Chiropractic Rehabilitation and Acupuncture. His qualifications and sterile facility make him one of the best acupuncturists in the area! Our clinic is based in Indianapolis, IN, and our staff prioritizes high-quality care and excellent customer service.
To book an appointment with us, you can call (317) 876-7826. Alternatively, you can book online by following this link. We look forward to working with you on your health journey.
Consumer Reports says acupuncture can help pain and nausea:
Acupuncture has been studied and appears to have possible effectiveness for chronic and acute pain as well as postoperative and chemotherapy-related nausea.
Acupuncture is considered safe when compared to medication side effects. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires state licensed acupuncturists to use disposable sterile needles.
A Consumer Reports survey found that acupuncture is possibly effective for reducing pain, including knee pain, from osteoarthritis and lower back pain, as well as relieving nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy.
Acupuncture Today agrees, and adds a few more conditions:
Acupuncture Today published: What Conditions Does Acupuncture Treat (According to the World Health Organization). In the attached article, Dr. John Amaro says acupuncture can treat the following conditions:
- Acute epigastralgia
- Acute and chronic gastritis
- Adverse reactions to radiation or chemotherapy
- Allergic rhinitis, including hay fever
- Appetite control
- Biliary colic
- Correction of malposition of fetus (breech presentation)
- Dental pain
- Depression
- Essential hypertension
- Facial pain
- Headache
- Hot flashes
- Induction of labor
- Knee pain
- Leucopenia
- Low back pain
- Morning sickness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Neck pain
- Peptic ulcer
- Periarthritis of the shoulder
- Postoperative pain
- Primary hypotension
- Renal colic
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Sciatica
- Sprains
- Stroke
- Tempromandibular (TMJ) dysfunction
- Tennis elbow
What to expect:
A state licensed acupuncturist will ask questions, do a physical exam and put 5-20 needles through the skin in a typical session in very specific places. Acupuncture patients have described the feeling as less painful than a mosquito bite.
Acupuncture sessions usually last up to an hour, although they can be just 15 minutes. Once hair-thin needles are inserted, they are often left for 10 to 15 minutes while the patient relaxes. The acupuncturist removes the needles at the end of the session. Acupuncturists may also incorporate manual pressure, electrical stimulation, magnets, low-power lasers, heat and ultrasound.
Treatments occur one to two times a week and the total number of visits varies. This depends on the condition, amount of pain or nausea, and whether the patient has a chronic or acute condition.
The best results happen when the patient is eating a healthy diet, so the body can heal. Exercise and physical therapy give patients strength, endurance and better posture so the problem does not return.
Who is not a candidate?
You do not want to schedule acupuncture with the following conditions:
- An active infection or malignancy around the insertion area.
- Severe neutropenia as seen after myelosuppressive chemotherapy.
- Electroacupuncture is not a good idea for patients with an automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator or pacemaker.
If you are pregnant, let the acupuncturist know this because some points can induce labor. Also let the acupuncturist know if you have a bleeding disorder.
