Entries by Steve Hoffman

Costochondritis Symptom Relief with Acupuncture Treatment

June 3, 2021 /0 Comments/in , /by

Costochondritis is a common injury that is felt among the pediatric population, particularly those that participate in sports. Repetitive movements of the arms can cause inflammation of the Costochondral or Costochondral joints, which connect ribs to the sternum.

Princeton Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine has treated many patients who have been diagnosed with Costochondritis. It is often a debilitating injury that hinders patients from participating in normal day-to-day activities and can cause enormous amounts of pain if not treated properly. Although many medical practitioners encourage the use of prescribed medications and physical therapies, alternative treatment routes have become widely popular due to the longer lasting symptom relief that is found.

What are Costochondritis Symptoms? 

Patients present with unique symptoms, however, there are several that are most felt such as, a sharp stabbing pain that can be felt near the ribcage, below the armpit, in the arm or in the back. The stabbing pain can occur with movement of the arm or become irritated after repetitive movements, such as those experienced while swimming. Pain often worsens with deep breathing and can sometimes last for a brief period or a lengthy one.

A study suggests that Acupuncture works

The National Center for Biotechnology Information presented a study conducted on three pediatric participants who had been diagnosed with Costochondritis. Each subject engaged in a type of sport which required daily training. The sports included fencing, tennis, and swimming, each of which requires repetitive movements of the arms. Before the study, patients were asked to rate their pain on a scale of 1-10, 10 being the most severe. For six weeks, subjects were administered acupuncture treatments including needling, acumassage and electo-stimulation for 15-minute sessions, 1-2 times per week. At the end of the study, each patient was asked again to rate their pain on a scale of 1-10, 10 being the most severe. Based off the data collected, medical researchers concluded that the three pediatric patients each demonstrated significant improvement with their Costochondritis symptoms allowing them to re-enter the sporting world and continue their daily activities as normal.

How does acupuncture alleviate Costochondritis symptoms? 

Acupuncture works to first tackle the root cause of Costochondritis, which presents uniquely in each patient. Whether the root cause is inflammation, weak muscles, or another injury, through acupuncture treatments the body will be able to identify the issue and begin self-healing processes to relieve varying symptoms. Therapies, such as needling and electro-stimulation, allow for increased blood circulation to the affected areas, which helps lessen inflammation and provides increased oxygenation. During this process, hormones called Endorphins are triggered to produce and release, giving the body natural pain-relief and calming the mind.

Princeton Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine is dedicated to treating the root cause of Costochondritis and providing complete symptom relief through well-curated and executed treatment plans. Our office works with pediatric patients and adult patients alike, giving you a cost-effective, all-natural and effective treatment option to help boost quality of life through pain reduction.

Princeton Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

Our patients know just how effective treatments are for these and a host of other problems. Steven Hoffman, a New Jersey Licensed Acupuncturist and Diplomate in Oriental Medicine, will provide you with a thorough intake and evaluation and a clear, comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan that will insure that your goals are met or exceeded. Do you want to move past these or other problems? We will help you thrive not just survive!

Contact

Traditional cultures have known for centuries the myriad benefits of drinking bone broth. This is something that has been lost in modern times but now you can return you and your family to this time-honored tradition of both maintaining health and even healing yourself simply by nourishing yourself properly.

How to Battle the Caffeine Migraine with Acupuncture

April 21, 2021 /0 Comments/in , , , /by

America runs on caffeine. Often, it is already pouring before anyone even gets out of bed in the morning, courtesy of modern technology that supplies programmable coffee pots. A few cups a day is nothing to shy away from unless you have medical issues. However, constant or frequent consumption can cause some painful side-effects, much of which over 12% of the American population experiences.

The caffeine migraine is most often triggered by withdrawal. If your body is used to having a cup of coffee every morning and this morning you were too busy to pour it, you are more susceptible to experiencing a migraine and often smack dab in the middle of your 10 AM meeting. Other times, people can be sensitive to the consumption of caffeine, triggering a migraine after just one cup.

Why do migraines occur from caffeine withdrawal or consumption?

Caffeine, especially when consumed in heavier doses, causes the blood vessels in the brain to narrow, restricting normal amounts of blood flow. Without the caffeine, the blood vessels begin to widen. This causes blood to flow more freely. Sudden changes can cause a migraine, whether from a reduction of blood flow or a rush of more blood, patients will experience symptoms differently.

What are the most important steps to take to prevent caffeine migraines?

Acupuncture is a wonderful place to start.

Princeton Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine encourages our patients to be very proactive in office and while at home. During treatments, patients will be evaluated for symptom severity and duration, medical history, and possible migraine triggers, such as caffeine. Our therapies aim to improve self-healing processes within the body which produce naturally occurring pain-relieving hormones called Endorphins. Instead of using over-the-counter medications that supply temporary relief, acupuncture tackles the root causes of the migraine, helping the body to heal while relieving current symptoms.

While at home, there are several things that you can do to aid in your journey to healing. You should always stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water every day can help keep those annoying migraines at bay. We recommend eight six-ounce glasses of water per day. Being hydrated helps the body to work properly, including the brain and the flow of blood.

You should also be getting plenty of rest. During sleep, our bodies can heal, regenerate cells, and re-balance. Sometimes a good nap is the best remedy for a migraine. Just make sure the room you’re sleeping in is dark, quiet and free from distractions, such as your phone.

Lastly, if you are experiencing regular migraine headaches, you should strongly consider reducing your caffeine consumption. Due to the chances of withdrawal, we do not recommend that you stop cold turkey. To effectively wean the body from routine caffeine consumption, you must do it slowly over a period of time, typically one to two weeks.

 

If you are experiencing symptoms of a caffeine migraine, such as –

  • Fatigue
  • Drowsiness
  • Low energy
  • Decreased mood.
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Head, neck, or shoulder pain,

we are here to help. By establishing a regular acupuncture routine, you will be setting yourself up for total migraine relief.

You don’t have to endure your pain any longer. Let us pour you a cup of relief today!

 

Princeton Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

Our patients know just how effective treatments are for these and a host of other problems. Steven Hoffman, a New Jersey Licensed Acupuncturist and Diplomate in Oriental Medicine, will provide you with a thorough intake and evaluation and a clear, comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan that will insure that your goals are met or exceeded. Do you want to move past these or other problems? We will help you thrive not just survive!

Contact

Traditional cultures have known for centuries the myriad benefits of drinking bone broth. This is something that has been lost in modern times but now you can return you and your family to this time-honored tradition of both maintaining health and even healing yourself simply by nourishing yourself properly.

Finding Relief from Chronic Back Pain

March 25, 2021 /0 Comments/in , , , , , /by

Many Americans suffer years with chronic back pain, finding only temporary relief through pharmaceutical medications. As the pain persists, doctors may suggest an X-Ray or an MRI. Chronic back  pain has many causes, some more severe than others, such as herniated discs and spinal stenosis. Although these conditions are tough to reverse without undergoing surgery, Acupuncture treatments can alleviate symptoms and provide long-term improvements to issues such as inflammation, pain, and movement.

Princeton Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine specializes in the treatment of chronic back pain. Our therapies aim to utilize the body’s natural self-healing processes.

What are the symptoms of chronic back pain?

The most common symptom that patients with chronic back pain feel is …. pain. Constant pain prevents patients from enjoying daily activities that used to bring joy, such as working-out, sitting or standing for prolonged periods of time, and other life enjoyments. Along with continuous pain, patients also experience,

  • Inflammation
  • Decreased ability to bend, twist, or sit/stand straight.
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Vertigo
  • Appearance of other disabilities, including nerve pain that can radiate to the extremities.
  • Headaches
  • Stiffness

How can chronic back pain be treated?

30-50% of the world-wide population has been diagnosed with chronic back pain, making it the fourth leading cause of disability in the world! With so much of the population experiencing life-altering symptoms from this chronic disease, there should be many treatments to combat them. Over the counter and prescribed medications have become the most popular source of treatment for chronic illnesses, including prescription pain medications to fight continuous painful symptoms. Although pharmaceutical medications can provide temporary relief, patients are not receiving long-term healing when using this type of therapy.

Princeton Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine has eliminated the need for pharmaceutical medications for the treatment of chronic back pain. By using top-rated, all-natural acupuncture treatments, our expert Acupuncturist will deliver long-term healing and prevention for chronic back pain disabilities.

Acupuncture, used even during ancient times, allows the body to self-heal by targeting the root cause of the emerged symptoms. Our most used treatment is Needling. Needling is the insertion of tiny, hair-like needles into points of the body associated with the patient’s unique treatment needs and is practically painless. On chronic back pain patients, we can utilize needling throughout sensitive acupoints on the neck, back and shoulder area. This manipulation allows the body to release pain-relieving hormones and trigger bodily processes that will reduce inflammation, improve dexterity, and promote healing.

Princeton Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine provides you with the most specialized treatment in New Jersey. Our main ambition is to get our patients back to life before their disability. At Princeton Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, we specialize in treating severe and chronic back pain. Cases that seem hopeless and those where patients have exhausted all other remedies with little to no relief.  us today to schedule a consultation so we can review your unique situation and provide a solution to your problem.

Princeton Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

Our patients know just how effective treatments are for these and a host of other problems. Steven Hoffman, a New Jersey Licensed Acupuncturist and Diplomate in Oriental Medicine, will provide you with a thorough intake and evaluation and a clear, comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan that will insure that your goals are met or exceeded. Do you want to move past these or other problems? We will help you thrive not just survive!

Contact

Traditional cultures have known for centuries the myriad benefits of drinking bone broth. This is something that has been lost in modern times but now you can return you and your family to this time-honored tradition of both maintaining health and even healing yourself simply by nourishing yourself properly.

Allergies and Acupuncture

March 17, 2021 /0 Comments/in , , , , /by

I’ve been so locked in on my “supplement of the month” that I forgot that allergy season is just around the corner! And why is that important? Because I have an amazing allergy treatment protocol BUT it has to be done before the allergy season starts...which means NOW! But first, let’s talk about what causes allergies.

Your immune system

Allergies are a response by your immune system to, well, allergens. When your body encounters these allergens, the immune system responds to them as though they are invaders that the body must protect itself from. The immune system responds by releasing immune cells and inflammatory factors. This causes our well-known allergy symptoms: sneezing, itching, congestion, redness, nasal congestion, and in more severe cases shortness of breath and even anaphylaxis. OK, got it. But why do allergies develop in the first place. Why does one person have a reaction to something, even to the point that it can be life threatening, and another person has absolutely no reaction. Why do some people react to things like pollen and other natural substances that have been around for tens of thousands of years? That is the question that we ask and it is crucial to properly treating allergies with acupuncture.

What really causes allergies?

The real cause of allergies is not well understood. There are a few theories, however.

  • Genetics: It is known that allergies run in families so there is some genetic predisposition to having allergies.
  • Hygiene Hypothesis: Overuse of antimicrobials and much cleaner environments, ironically, are thought to be a cause of allergies.
  • Digestion: If stomach acid is not strong enough to break things down properly or you have something called “leaky gut”, this can be a cause of allergies. If certain things are getting into the bloodstream that are not supposed to be there, the immune system will react to them. Over a long period of time, this reaction, over and over again can cause the immune system to start to overreact and react to things that it shouldn’t, thus causing allergies. Colostrum, stand alone, can fix this (see how I worked the supplement of the month in!)
  • Toxins/Pollutants: Exposure to toxins, pollutants, additives in our environment and even in our foods can lead the immune system to overreact.
  • Weakened Immune System: Again, ironically, a weakened immune system can lead to allergies. If the immune system is weak and dealing with a viral infection and there are allergens in the body at the same time, the immune system can go overboard and create antibodies for both. Then, the next time the body encounters the allergen, it triggers an immune response.

What causes YOUR allergies?

This is the real question to ask. If you are being treated for a weakened immune system and the allergies are due to poor digestion, how much good is that going to do YOU. Finding out what is causing your allergies is the key to successfully treating allergies.

Treatment at Princeton Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine

We have developed a four-treatment protocol that gives our patient phenomenal results and relief. This treatment has to be done before allergy season starts and all treatments have to be done within two weeks. This treatment plan includes an herbal rinse and will provide relief from symptoms. Once the symptoms are under control, we can find out what caused the allergies in the first place and treat that. Call today for details.

Princeton Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

Our patients know just how effective treatments are for these and a host of other problems. Steven Hoffman, a New Jersey Licensed Acupuncturist and Diplomate in Oriental Medicine, will provide you with a thorough intake and evaluation and a clear, comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan that will insure that your goals are met or exceeded. Do you want to move past these or other problems? We will help you thrive not just survive!

Contact

Four Benefits of Acupuncture for Chronic Back Pain

February 15, 2021 /0 Comments/in , , , /by

Back pain is a prominent hindrance in the lives of more than 65 million Americans, according to the Health Policy Institute at Georgetown. Americans who receive treatment for back pain often resort to pharmaceutical medications, including painkillers that can become addicting and may cause adverse side-effects. Others, with more serious injuries, consider undergoing surgery. Many do not know that prescription medications and surgery are not the only avenue one can take to find relief and healing.

Acupuncture, an alternative therapy for chronic back pain, introduces the body to all-natural treatment that works to provide long-term healing tendencies over the course of a patient’s regular visits. This type of treatment has become extremely popular in the Western World, contributing to more than 10 million Americans finding a regular alternative to chronic back pain-management.

Princeton Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine uses all-natural therapies such as needling, electro-acupuncture, and herbal medications to provide non-evasive treatment for back pain that issues minimal side-effects. Our therapies are non-medically addicting and painless, enabling patients to enter the journey of permanent, long-term healing and health restoration.

Although acupuncture works in many ways to produce positive health benefits and a pain-free lifestyle, there are four major benefits of acupuncture related specifically to healing and managing chronic back pain.

Brain Chemistry

Brain Chemistry Changes With Acupuncture

  • Acupuncture stimulates the Central Nervous System (CNS)- The Central Nervous System has three main functions, sensory input, information processing and motor output. It is comprised of the brain and the spinal cord, both of which are responsible for our body feeling sensations, such as pain. When acupuncture therapies, such as needling, are used, the CNS will become stimulated, triggering the release of several hormones that are responsible for producing feelings of happiness, controlling anxiety, and allowing all-natural pain remediation. 
  • Acupuncture produces all-natural painkillers to combat pain- On top of balancing the hormonal production, acupuncture also triggers the CNS to release all-natural, pain-relieving hormones called Endorphins. Much like prescription Opioids, Endorphins work to reduce feelings of pain, boost feelings of pleasure and provide the body with an overall sense of well-being. But, unlike prescription medications, Endorphins are natural and non-addicting. 
  • Acupuncture reduces inflammation and increases blood circulation- Root causes of chronic back pain can produce inflammation in the joints, tendons, ligaments, and muscles surrounding the spine. Acupuncture treatments kick-start the body’s self-healing process, which signals an increase in blood flow to the affected area(s) and allows for inflammation to subside. Improved blood circulation also allows the affect area(s) to receive proper nutrients and oxygen it needs to produce long-term healing and restoration. 
  • Acupuncture changes brain chemistry- As treatments progress, acupuncture works to harmonize bodily systems, changing the way that nerves and organ's function and respond to the pain that the patient is feeling. With the production and balancing of appropriate hormones for pain-management, the body can begin to self-heal and restore its homeostatic state. When the body is in pain, especially consistent pain, bodily functions, and organs work harder to try and combat the illness or injury. Acupuncture works to heal the root cause, targeting specifically the injury and the response to the injury from the brain.

Along with the four major benefits of acupuncture for chronic back pain are a plethora of other positive outcomes that can be received from all-natural treatments and therapies. Princeton Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine specializes in preventing and treating patient’s chronic back pain for long-term healing and further injury prevention.

Princeton Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

Our patients know just how effective treatments are for these and a host of other problems. Steven Hoffman, a New Jersey Licensed Acupuncturist and Diplomate in Oriental Medicine, will provide you with a thorough intake and evaluation and a clear, comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan that will insure that your goals are met or exceeded. Do you want to move past these or other problems? We will help you thrive not just survive!

Contact

ANXIETY, ACUPUNCTURE & THE CAVEMAN

November 11, 2020 /0 Comments/in , , , , , /by

Got anxiety? Thank the cavemen. You can also thank them for your very existence! So, what do cavemen have to do with anxiety. Primal parts of our brain are mainly responsible for producing anxiety. Just like a healthy dose of fear kept cavemen from walking too close to the edge of a cliff, anxiety kept our ancestors worried enough to gather food or build a shelter or stock up on firewood. What do you think happened to the caveman who said “Dude, I’ll worry about firewood next week, I’m just going to chill here today”? Well, those laid-back cavemen had less chance of survival. And if they did not survive, they did not pass those chill genes down to you or me.

Modern Times

Some areas of the world, even some areas of our own communities, still have to worry about meeting basic needs, but for many in our society, food and shelter are not something that they worry about on a daily basis. So basically, we don’t need that level of anxiety in our lives. So why do so many of us suffer with anxiety. Unfortunately, the area of the brain that produces anxiety is still there. And humans have an amazing ability to find things to worry about, even when there is nothing there to worry about. There is supposition that, as a survival instinct, we are trying to keep that area of the brain honed just in case we really do need it at some point.

Troubled Times

Don’t get me wrong. Between the pandemic, the economy, and the election, there has been plenty to get worried about recently. Anxiety can develop in times like these and even impact a person for years to come.

Get Help

Ironically, cavemen probably did not suffer from anxiety. They had enough to worry about to keep themselves occupied. We, on the other hand, have plenty of time to let our minds go every which way and worry about all kinds of things. If you find yourself being overwhelmed with worry, here are a few things you can do:

Exercise: Remember, the cavemen were probably “exercising” 16 hours a day so your 20-minute HIIT workout may be good for your cardio but probably will not control your anxiety. But it will help, and taken with other interventions, even 20 minutes a day can help.

Therapy: Talk therapy is crucial, especially now. It can be hard to reach out for help but the damage that anxiety can do to you, physically and mentally, makes the effort well worth it.

Acupuncture: It is in the title after all! Acupuncture reduces stress hormones and can take patients out of fight or flight “lock” allowing them to rest and recover. Electro acupuncture induces the body to produce neurochemicals like gabapentin that can reduce anxiety.

If you are suffering, call today, set up a consultation and see if you are a good candidate for acupuncture.

Princeton Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

Our patients know just how effective treatments are for these and a host of other problems. Steven Hoffman, a New Jersey Licensed Acupuncturist and Diplomate in Oriental Medicine, will provide you with a thorough intake and evaluation and a clear, comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan that will insure that your goals are met or exceeded. Do you want to move past these or other problems? We will help you thrive not just survive!

Contact

Traditional cultures have known for centuries the myriad benefits of drinking bone broth. This is something that has been lost in modern times but now you can return you and your family to this time-honored tradition of both maintaining health and even healing yourself simply by nourishing yourself properly.

Acupuncture: Goals and Expectations

October 26, 2020 /0 Comments/in , , , , /by

Two questions I ask all my patients are: What are your goals for treatment and what are your expectations for how long that will take. Answers vary from “I want this to go away completely” to “I just want to get some relief”. Most are a little unsure about how to answer the second question although I do tell them that yesterday is not an option! There are no hard and fast correlations but generally, your goals will have an impact on the both the length of treatment and the frequency that will be recommended.

Age & Time

We all know that the older we are the longer it takes the body to heal. Break a bone when you are 15 and within two months, you are back to 100%. Break a bone when you are 50 and it is a different ball of wax. Healing take longer, is often not as complete and you may be left with less than 100% function or range of motion. The other factor is time. The longer a problem has been around, the longer it takes to treat. A good estimate is one-month worth of treatment for every year the problem has been present.

What You Can Expect

Are you 15 or are you 50? Has the problem been there for two weeks or 20 years? Has the cause of the problem been removed? All of this is teased out during a consultation and, in many cases, during treatment. Your age, the length of time the problem has been present and aggravating factors all must be considered in order to determine a comprehensive treatment plan. These plans often change based on how you respond to treatment. You also may be in a situation where your pain, or problem can only be managed. If you are in your 70’s, have had multiple back surgeries and your back problem has been around for 30 years, it is very unlikely that you are going to see your problem 100% resolved. BUT imagine if your pain went for an 8-9 most days to a 3-4. Imagine if you were able to get more than three hours of sleep. Imagine if daily tasks did not seem insurmountable. This, for many, is priceless.

Help and Healing

Whether you are 15 or 50, acupuncture can help. Many patients who have severe or chronic problems do not know where to turn. They have been “everywhere” and tried “everything”. These are the patients we specialize in treating at Princeton Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine. These are the patients who feel helpless but with proper treatment and planning, there is help and hope.

Princeton Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

Our patients know just how effective treatments are for these and a host of other problems. Steven Hoffman, a New Jersey Licensed Acupuncturist and Diplomate in Oriental Medicine, will provide you with a thorough intake and evaluation and a clear, comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan that will insure that your goals are met or exceeded. Do you want to move past these or other problems? We will help you thrive not just survive!

Contact

Traditional cultures have known for centuries the myriad benefits of drinking bone broth. This is something that has been lost in modern times but now you can return you and your family to this time-honored tradition of both maintaining health and even healing yourself simply by nourishing yourself properly.

When to Start Acupuncture

October 13, 2020 /0 Comments/in , , , /by

Yesterday, maybe last week, ten years ago! Obviously, these answers and not an option but tomorrow should not be an option either. This is because tomorrow often equates to never. At Princeton Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine, we see both ends of the treatment spectrum and everything in between. We see patients who are proactive and come in on a regular basis to maintain or optimize their health. We also see patients who are at the end of their rope. They have tried everything, they have had failed surgeries, no medications are working, and they feel like they have no other options. While we love our proactive patients, we specialize in patients who have severe and chronic issues, and this is where acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine really shine.

Why Timing Matters

Generally, it takes about a week of treatment for every year a problem has existed. So, if we see you when a problem first crops up, a week or two’s worth of treatment and your problem is taken care of. A maintenance plan to keep it from coming back and you are good to go. A problem that has been around for ten years can take a few months of treatment before you start feeling better. Twenty year, thirty years...you get the picture. And what does this mean to you? $$$$$ Essentially, the sooner you seek treatment, the less you will spend on treatment.

Suck it Up

Unfortunately, we have been conditioned to just “suck it up”. Deal with the pain, it is just part of getting older, take some pain relievers and push through it and this is often coming from our health care providers. The problem is that an occasional twinge in the back becomes a daily bother, becomes a hinderance, becomes a debilitating problem.

Where Can I Get Help

For most people, their first option is their doctor and as I said above, they mostly don’t have much to offer for aches and pains much less a chronic, severe problem. Unfortunately, most people do not consider availing themselves to acupuncture for “minor” issues and often find their way to us only after they have exhausted all other options. While this makes the problem harder to treat requiring longer and more intensive treatment plans, the good news is that acupuncture will help 80-90% of people. Acupuncture not only provides much needed pain relief but also decreases inflammation and increase blood flow so that your body can heal the problem.

Today

So, the answer to the question, when should you start, is today. You can’t go back and change the past, but you can intervene now, stop the progression of the problem and start getting better.

Princeton Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

Our patients know just how effective treatments are for these and a host of other problems. Steven Hoffman, a New Jersey Licensed Acupuncturist and Diplomate in Oriental Medicine, will provide you with a thorough intake and evaluation and a clear, comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan that will insure that your goals are met or exceeded. Do you want to move past these or other problems? We will help you thrive not just survive!

Contact

Traditional cultures have known for centuries the myriad benefits of drinking bone broth. This is something that has been lost in modern times but now you can return you and your family to this time-honored tradition of both maintaining health and even healing yourself simply by nourishing yourself properly.

Acupuncture for Arthritis

October 2, 2020 /0 Comments/in , , , , , /by

Do you suffer with any of the following symptoms?

  • Joint pain/stiffness/swelling
  • Red, inflamed joints
  • Muscle weakness
  • Balance problems
  • Back, neck, knee, hip, or shoulder pain

Are you afraid the pain is getting worse? Do you want results but are not getting any?

This is what it feels like to suffer from arthritis. There are over one hundred types of arthritis with osteoarthritis being the most common. Osteoarthritis is basically wear and tear. As we age, our bodies become less and less efficient at rebuilding and repairing and eventually our bodies start to break down causing pain, typically in joints. Millions of Americans are affected by osteoarthritis and in severe cases, it can be debilitating.

What you can do

  • Exercise: Regular exercise can help muscles strengthen and stabilize joints. Exercise can also help you maintain a healthy weight.
  • Diet: A diet low in inflammatory foods and high in foods with good fats along with plenty of fruits and vegetables is key.
  • Supplements: Vitamin D along with glucosamine and chondroitin are supplements that have shown benefits to those suffering with arthritis.

Traditional Treatment Options

  • Medications: Over the counter and prescription pain relievers are often recommended. These help with the pain but do not address the problem.
  • Surgery: This may be recommended in severe cases.

Other Treatment Options

  • Acupuncture
  • Chiropractic Care

Acupuncture provides pain relief and healing for many who thought they had no other options. Acupuncture has an analgesic effect (pain relief), decreases inflammation, increases blood flow and helps the body heal damaged tissues. Acupuncture can relieve symptoms and slow or even stop the progression of the disease.

For those who suffer, acupuncture can offer hope to those who feel hopeless. Start getting your life back today, tomorrow often turns in to never.

Princeton Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

Our patients know just how effective treatments are for these and a host of other problems. Steven Hoffman, a New Jersey Licensed Acupuncturist and Diplomate in Oriental Medicine, will provide you with a thorough intake and evaluation and a clear, comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan that will insure that your goals are met or exceeded. Do you want to move past these or other problems? We will help you thrive not just survive!

Contact

Traditional cultures have known for centuries the myriad benefits of drinking bone broth. This is something that has been lost in modern times but now you can return you and your family to this time-honored tradition of both maintaining health and even healing yourself simply by nourishing yourself properly.

Chronic Pain & How Acupuncture Can Help

September 12, 2020 /0 Comments/in , , , , , , , /by

What is Pain?

Pain is a signal from your body that something is wrong. This signal is sent to your brain so that you pay attention to the problem, possibly alter your behavior (keep weight off a broken leg, get therapy to help the healing process etc.) and allow the body to heal the problem. Pain is often caused by an injury and as it heals, the pain becomes less severe and eventually goes away. Chronic pain (pain that lasts at least 12 weeks) is when your body continues to send pain signals to your brain ever AFTER the injury is healed. In fact, chronic pain can exist without any physical injury.

  • Common Types of Chronic Pain:
  • Low Back Pain
  • Arthritis Pain
  • Headaches
  • Post Surgical Pain
  • Nerve Pain
  • Post Trauma Pain
  • Psychological Pain
  • Pain Management

As indicated by the term, chronic pain is often managed, not cured. There are traditional treatment options but some of them come with drawbacks. Pain relievers are often employed but all have side effects (especially opioids and their addictive nature). It is also often necessary to continually increase the dosage of pain relievers just to maintain the same level of pain relief. There are other pharmaceuticals that can be used, from muscle relaxants to antirheumatic agents. Results vary from patient to patient and side effects are again a concern. When the pain is psychological in nature, antidepressants are often used. These work best in conjunction with psychotherapy.

Other Therapies

Massage, physical therapy and even meditation can aid in managing chronic pain. Acupuncture is also a powerful therapy to help reduce pain intensity and frequency as well as increasing range of motion and mobility. Acupuncture can induce the body to produce endorphins such as serotonin and epinephrine that will alter the way your brain processes pain signals. Acupuncture can also “re-train” the nervous system to stop sending pain signals to your brain. By increasing blood flow and reducing inflammation, acupuncture can help your body heal from things like post surgical and post trauma pain.

Chronic pain can be debilitating and have a drastic effect on your quality of life. If you are considering acupuncture, don’t wait. You can start feeling better today, call to schedule a consultation and we can start you on the path to feeling better.

Princeton Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

Our patients know just how effective treatments are for these and a host of other problems. Steven Hoffman, a New Jersey Licensed Acupuncturist and Diplomate in Oriental Medicine, will provide you with a thorough intake and evaluation and a clear, comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan that will insure that your goals are met or exceeded. Do you want to move past these or other problems? We will help you thrive not just survive!

Contact

Traditional cultures have known for centuries the myriad benefits of drinking bone broth. This is something that has been lost in modern times but now you can return you and your family to this time-honored tradition of both maintaining health and even healing yourself simply by nourishing yourself properly.