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Florida residents suffering with pain find relief with Acupuncture
Acupuncture offers relief and can help you get back to your favorite activities.
Pain, PTSD, sleep issues, digestive disorders, and many other chronic health issues,
can prevent people from living a full, productive and happy lives.
Non-Addictive | Affordable | Safe | Effective
Acupuncture Physician Training | About Acupuncture | About Eastern Herbal Medicine
Additional Techniques | Video Testimonials | Articles by FL Acupuncturists | Dry Needling
Acupuncture Physician Training
About Acupuncture
1. How acupuncture works.
Acupuncture works by stimulating acupuncture points, which sends a message along the nerve to the brain and spinal cord, causing the brain to release chemicals such as endorphins, which reduce the message of pain being delivered to the brain.
2. During an Acupuncture Treatment, you will experience:
3. Ailments that can be addressed with acupuncture
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), acupuncture is used in 103 of 129 countries. The growing evidence base supports acupuncture’s benefits for many conditions1, including but not limited to:
- Chronic pain: migraines, neck and back pain, tendonitis, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, etc...
- Digestive disorders: irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, gastritis, and constipation
- Urinary and reproductive disorders: menstrual cramps, irregular or heavy periods, infertility, and menopausal symptoms
- Psychological and emotional disorders: depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia
- Symptom management for the negative side effects of chemotherapy and radiation, including fatigue, generalized pain, dry mouth, peripheral neuropathy, nausea, and vomiting
- Seasonal allergies
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Addictions, such as: food, nicotine, alcohol, and drugs
 4. Acupuncture does not replace conventional medicine
- Acupuncture can complement your medical treatments.
- The Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS)2 endorses acupuncture for low back pain as the first line of treatment.
- The American College of Physicians (ACP)3 endorses acupuncture for low back pain as the first line of treatment.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)4 recommend acupuncture for pain management as the first line of treatment.
5. Find a qualified, board-licensed Acupuncturist
In Florida, Acupuncturists are board-licensed primary healthcare providers, who do not require a medical referral to be seen. To find a qualified Acupuncturists near you, visit: https://www.fsoma.org/find-an-acupuncturist#/
6. Health Insurance Plans may pay for acupuncture.
- Many insurance companies, including Medicare Advantage plans, do pay for acupuncture.
- Original Medicare and Florida Medicaid Market Plans do not currently cover Acupuncturists.
References:
- Evidence-Based Acupuncture https://www.evidencebasedacupuncture.org/acupuncture-scientific-evidence/
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/ncacal-decision-memo.aspx?proposed=N&NCAId=295
- The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) https://www.acponline.org/acp-newsroom/american-college-of-physicians-issues-guideline-for-treating-nonradicular-low-back-pain
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/rr/rr7103a1.htm
About Eastern Herbal Medicine
One of the therapeutic pillars of Acupuncture Practice is Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine. For thousands of years Asia herbal medicine has been used for many acute and chronic conditions. Herbal formulas may contain many ingredients, primarily of plant origin, with unique characteristics that when combined offer a therapeutic effect. Herbal formulas can be taken internally (by mouth) or applied topically.
 1. Traditional Chinese herbal medicine (TCHM) is safe and regulated by the FDA.
In the United States, TCHM is FDA regulated*, and is safe when prescribed by a qualified board-licensed Acupuncturist, who has taken a complete health history and performed an appropriate herbal medicine evaluation.
2. How to find a qualified TCHM practitioner:
A qualified board-licensed Acupuncturist is the only healthcare provider in the United States whose education includes extensive training in TCHM, followed by the passage of rigorous exams. You can find a practitioner Certified in Oriental Medicine or Chinese Herbology located near you at the National Certifying Board website https://www.nccaom.org or in Florida at https://www.fsoma.org/find-an-acupuncturist#/
3. Health Insurance does not cover Traditional Chinese herbal medicine (TCHM) therapy.
At this time, TCHM is not typically covered by insurance but may be reimbursed under your Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flex-spending account (FSA). Please check your specific plan.
4. During a TCHM consultation
5. Traditional Chinese herbal medicine (TCHM) complements conventional Bio-Medical treatment.
TCHM can complement your conventional treatment plan. Your qualified herbalist may work with your physician to manage your care.
6. TCHM may interact with medications.
- TCHM may interact with your prescription medications.
- It is important to tell your qualified professional herbalist and other medical providers what medications and supplements you are taking.
- It is vital to disclose all medications and supplements you are taking to all your healthcare providers.
* held to cGMP( regulation under FDA Title 21 CFR 111. Every batch of TCHM should be accompanied by the Certificate of Analysis (COA), which should reflect: Appearance inspection, Microscopic analysis, Physical and chemical identification, Chemical fingerprinting, and detection of Sulfur dioxide, Pesticide residuals, Aflatoxin, Heavy metals, Aristolochic acid. International regulations are even more vigorous; the best quality herbs are subjected to many regulations, to name just a few most reputable: TGA-PIC/s GMP (Therapeutic Good Administration), USDA-NOP (United States Department of Agriculture, National Organic Program), NSF-cGMP (National Sanitation Foundation), Kosher, Halal, ISO 9001:2008 (International Accredited Forum), ISO17025:2005 (Taiwan Accreditation Foundation), GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice)
Additional Treatment Therapies
 Tui Na
Tui Na is believed to be one of the oldest systems of bodywork in the world. The first school of Tui Na was founded during the Ming Dynasty where it is also believed that one of the emperors of the time forbade skin to skin contact massage, therefore a completely different set of techniques had to be developed. These techniques were designed to affect specific parts of the body and to be used with the meridians and acupuncture points. Tui Na is one of the 4 pillars of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) along with Acupuncture, Exercise and Herbal Medicine/Nutrition, and follows the same meridian theory as acupuncture, so that the same diagnostic paradigms and treatment principles of TCM also apply to Tui Na making acupressure treatments highly effective.
In Western, or Swedish massage, the primary focus of the massage is strictly relaxation and is dependent on long gliding strokes using an oil or some other lubricant applied directly to the skin. Tui Na, does not use any lubricant since the strokes are intended to be applied over clothing or over a top sheet covering the patient. Also, the strokes of Tui Na are devised to affect specific body parts or areas whereas their western counterparts are more generalized in their function.
Cupping
Cupping therapy is a traditional East Asian practice used to treat a variety of health conditions. It involves the placing cups on specific areas of the body. A qualified board-licensed Acupuncturists creates suction in the cups, which pulls against a person's skin. Cupping also has links to acupuncture points on a person's body, which are central to the practice of acupuncture. Scientists have linked cupping therapy with a variety of health benefits, although there needs to be more research to determine whether it is significantly effective as a treatment. People regularly cite cupping as an effective pain relief treatment.
 Gua Sha
Gua sha is an instrument-assisted unidirectional press-stroking technique that involves the gentle scraping of the skin with a solid, smooth-edged tool. Gua sha is generally performed on a person’s face, back, chest, neck, arms, or legs. This ancient Chinese medicine technique intentionally creates transitory therapeutic petechiae (small red spots), representing extravasation of blood (movement of blood cells outside the vessels) on the skin's surface. While the petechiae may look similar to bruising, the petechiae will subside in a few days. Gua Sha does not cause painful bruising when applied correctly by a qualified board-licensed Acupuncturist, and offers a unique approach to addressing issues like chronic pain.
Gua Sha promotes a healing response by increasing microperfusion/blood flow by increasing nitric oxide release, reducing muscle tension, and promoting Heme-Oxygenase (HO-1). HO-1 is a potent enzyme that breaks down heme, part of hemoglobin/red blood cells. HO-1 allows the body to recycle the iron from our red blood cells and create bilirubin, a waste byproduct to be removed from the body. HO-1 has antioxidant, anti-apoptosis/anti-cancer (proper cell death), and anti-inflammatory properties that regulate the immune system and are an organ protective of the lungs, liver, kidney, brain, and spleen.
Gua Sha is safe for all ages and facilitated by an board-licensed Acupuncturist familiar with Gua Sha indications and contraindications.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion, also referred to as “moxa,” is a type of heat therapy using a common herb called mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) topically administered to your body. It originated in ancient China, where sources referring to this therapy date back to the Warring States period (roughly 475 B.C. to 221 B.C.) where it was used by physicians as part of their battlefield medicine. Moxibustion stimulates blood flow, helps open acupuncture channels, and reinforces an acupuncture treatment. Indirect moxibustion, where the moxa does not touch the skin) also provides general warming and improves circulation. Traditional Japanese moxibustion includes techniques called okyu and ikyu (directly placed on the skin) and kytoshin (also called needle moxa). Direct moxibustion uses the highest-grade moxa and this technique also uses a balk called “shiunko” to protect the skin from burns. During the session you will also notice moxa has a distinct aroma and pleasant sensation of warmth since it burns at a low temperature. In Japanese style direct moxibustion, we light the moxa with a sandalwood incense which adds to the enjoyable experience. This is considered an adjunctive therapy and successfully treats pain due to injury or arthritis, digestive problems and irregular elimination, protection against cold and flu, and gynecological and obstetrical conditions. It is also incredibly relaxing. When paired with acupuncture, the therapies increase each other’s effectiveness.
Video Testimonials
Yoga Teacher talks about frozen shoulder, health benefits, surprisingly painless treatments and more.
The Power of Acupuncture for Digestive Health. Testimonial from long term patient of acupuncture, Ann King.
The Acupuncture Technique of Dry Needling
Acupuncture and dry needling are both needle-based therapies used to alleviate pain. Acupuncture is one technique of Traditional Eastern Medicine that encompasses various techniques, including herbal medicine, nutrition, manual therapy and exercise, to restore the body's balance and functionality, improve health as well as being very effective at relieving pain. Records going back at least 2,200 years show this system of medicine in practice. Traditional theory discusses manipulating qi or energy in the body with the needles. The qi travels in a meridian system. Modern acupuncture theory encompasses a more bioenergetic approach with studies showing that the acupuncture points stimulate blood flow and nerve regulation. Modern research is showing the meridians related to the fascia which covers organs, bones, muscles and more information found here offer even more evidence that acupuncture works on the nervous system to stimulate circulation.
Dry needling is a purely modern, stand alone, technique that evolved from medical practices and primarily focuses on releasing trigger points in muscles. In this article, we will explore the similarities and differences between acupuncture and dry needling, shedding light on their unique approaches.
*Ask your physical therapists or other healthcare provider how many hours of training they've had for dry needling.
Acupuncture: An Integrative Healing Art
Acupuncture has been an integral part of Eastern Medicine for thousands of years. It involves inserting thin needles into specific points, known as acupoints, along the body's meridians or energy pathways. These needles are applied to stimulate the nervous system and promote blood circulation, aiming to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, improve organ function and increase overall health. Traditionally discussions of qi and blood flow were presented, modern studies show that the needles stimulate blood flow, cause the body to produce endorphins which are pain relieving hormones and enhance organ function by improving circulation. This particular study showed that the blood flow in the uterine artery increased during acupuncture fertility treatments.
The depth of needle insertion in acupuncture varies based on factors such as the style of acupuncture being practiced, the patient's age, condition, and treatment objectives. Japanese acupuncture uses very thin needles with very shallow depth and not causing any sensation. In some cases they use gold or silver needles pressed against the acupuncture point with no insertion. Chinese acupuncture tends to be deeper with more vigorous stimulation, One Korean style uses only 4 needles for the treatment. Generally, older patients may receive gentler and shallower needle insertions, while younger individuals with acute injuries might require stronger and deeper needling to bring relief. It depends on the condition of the patient. A delicate and small 20 year old woman would need gentler treatments than a robust 70 year old man who works out and is active.
Dry needling would correspond in acupuncture to what is called “ashi” acupuncture. Ashi points cause pain when pressed and are needled to relieve that pain. Sometimes it might correspond to treating a nodule in the body as trigger points can be felt as little nodules in the muscle. Dry needling treats trigger points, which when pressed elicit pain in the body in specific areas.
Dry Needling: A Specialized Technique
 Dry needling is a western medicine development, pioneered by Dr. Janet Travell, a medical doctor, in the 1940s. Dr. Travell initially used injections of lidocaine to treat myofascial trigger points, which are localized areas of muscle tension causing pain and discomfort. Surprisingly, she discovered that inserting a needle into the trigger point without injecting any substance produced comparable therapeutic effects.
Originally dry needling involved using a hypodermic needle to manually manipulate and break up the trigger points, releasing muscular tension and alleviating pain. Now practitioners use filiform needles which are identical to acupuncture needles. Dry needling does not involve the stimulation of meridians, improving circulation, enhancing organ function or the balancing of energetic systems. Instead, it’s focus is on addressing musculoskeletal issues, breaking up the trigger point and the radiating pain caused by it.
Conclusion
Acupuncture and dry needling are both needle-based therapies with different philosophies and approaches. Acupuncture, as part of a full system of medicine aims to reduce symptoms of pain and dysfunction by opening circulation, calming nerves, restoring balance and promoting overall health. Dry needling is a modern technique, primarily used by physical therapists, to release trigger points and alleviate musculoskeletal pain.
Patients seeking treatment should consult with qualified practitioners to determine which approach aligns better with their individual needs and health goals.
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To find a Physical Therapist near you Click Here
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