Acupuncture Specialist

Synergy Rehabilitation & Wellness Center

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation & Nutrition located in Scottsdale, AZ

Acupuncture originated in traditional Chinese medicine, but Western researchers increasingly recommend this alternative treatment as an effective way to relieve chronic pain conditions such as lower back pain. Anthony Lee, MD, and the team at Synergy Rehabilitation & Wellness Center in Scottsdale, Arizona, offer acupuncture as a complementary therapy for patients with pain caused by many musculoskeletal conditions. To learn if acupuncture can help improve your symptoms, call the office or schedule an appointment online today.

480-478-1696

Acupuncture Q & A

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a treatment that works by targeting your body’s natural energy, called qi. Qi normally flows freely throughout your body, following pathways called meridians.

You develop disease and pain when qi is blocked or you have an energy imbalance. Inserting acupuncture needles at specific points, called acupoints, in the affected meridian restores your energy flow and promotes healing.

Acupuncture needles also relax muscles and stimulate nerve activity, activating the release of neurotransmitters and endorphins that reduce inflammation and alleviate pain.

Studies show that acupuncture may also improve nerve communication in the area of your brain that regulates pain.

What health conditions are treated with acupuncture?

The World Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health support acupuncture for treating a variety of health conditions. These are a few examples of problems that may benefit from acupuncture:

Headaches
Lower back and neck pain
Fibromyalgia
Osteoarthritis
Allergic rhinitis
Gastritis
Facial and dental pain

The team at Synergy Rehabilitation & Wellness Center often recommends acupuncture as a complementary therapy for musculoskeletal pain. Acupuncture is one of several therapies recommended as a better choice than medication for treating chronic lower back pain.

What should I expect during acupuncture treatment?

The needles used during acupuncture are quite different from those used for injecting medications. Acupuncture needles are thin, flexible, and tapered, a design that lets them glide easily through your skin and into the acupuncture point.

You may feel a slight pinch when your provider at Synergy Rehabilitation & Wellness Center inserts the needle. However, many patients don’t feel the needle as it’s inserted.

Once the needle reaches the proper depth, you may feel sensations such as tingling. Your provider may twirl, warm, or send a mild electrical current through the needles to enhance their therapeutic effect.

Most acupuncture sessions last 45-60 minutes, but the number of needles used and the length of time they stay inserted depends on the severity of your symptoms. The team typically recommends a series of treatments to achieve optimal results.

If you’d like to learn more about acupuncture, call Synergy Rehabilitation & Wellness Center or book an appointment online.