2/27/18 presentation notes
Main topics:
- Who do I see and why?
- Why refer to acupuncture?
- What is the difference between dry needling and acupuncture?
- Does it hurt?
Who gets acupuncture? From the schedule
Tuesday 2/6, seven patients:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Neck & upper trap pain
- Upper thoracic pain
- Right calf pain
- Left forearm pain
- Back pain, upper and lower
- Neck, upper trap pain
Thursday 2/15, four patients:
- Stress and tension, poor sleep
- “ “ “ “
- Post-op wrist pain
- Headache and back pain
Friday 2/16, five patients:
- Neck, upper thoracic pain
- Left scapular pain to low back
- Right S.I. joint pain
- Low back pain and stiffness
- PTSD (sexual assault)
Why refer to acupuncture?
It is common to have patients referred who are not getting better with medication, PT, or time.
I also see very high-functioning people who want to increase performance or support high performance.
Why I get referrals within the physical therapy/sports medicine department:
“I will refer patients if I think one of the prime drivers of their physical symptoms is an emotional component. An example is the neck pain patient that we all see that doesn’t present with any true structural issues but is most likely symptomatic due to multiple factors such as posture, ergonomics, stress, etc. ”
“I refer patients when there is a tissue-related issue (nerve, fascia, muscle, any type) but I have not had success in affecting a positive change with my treatments. I will often search for new methods in an effort to “change up” the treatment and gauge a response.”
Examples of patient treatment goals:
- “to get more balance and find a good balance for me in my life.”
- “ease anxiety and pain, increase focus and overall emotional and physical balance.”
- “get knee healthy asap so I can get back to training.”
- “less pain in forearm tendons so I can practice my cello.”
- “reduce pain in back and/or pelvic floor.”
- “relax body.”
The next point of interest touches on the language and culture of medicine and healing. What story or research makes the most sense or provides buy-in?
What is dry needling vs. acupuncture?
Dry needling is sometimes referred to as clinical or western acupuncture.
(http://www.sportandspinalphysio.com.au/your-top-6-dry-needling-acupuncture-questions-answered/
“There are obvious similarities between dry needling and acupuncture and the needles used are identical. Generally dry needling is based on Western anatomical and neurophysiological principles, which are not to be confused with the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) technique of acupuncture.”
The desired outcome from dry needling sounds about the same as for acupuncture: pain reduction, healing, and the restoration of normal tissue function.
Dry needling has a western backstory, and no Chinese medicine theory. Both practices use acupuncture needles and put them into the body to aid injury or pain.
Do I do dry needling? Yes, the needles are “dry” but I have a degree in Chinese medicine and am comfortable calling it acupuncture.
Mayo clinic describes acupuncture as the insertion of needles “through your skin at strategic points on your body.” By inserting these needles, acupuncture practitioners “believe that your energy flow will re-balance.”
Belief vs. hard science= acupuncture vs. dry needling. East vs. west.
This puts acupuncture as a belief system and dry needling as science. This is when I like to tell about animals and acupuncture. We don’t know what their belief systems are, but I don’t think they support East over West, or vise-versa.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/134545107591404034/
APTA (American Physical Therapy Association) says the needles are inserted “through the skin into areas of the muscle.” They also refer to it as “trigger point dry needling,” or “intramuscular manual therapy.”
They go on to explain, “dry needling is not acupuncture, a practice based on traditional Chinese medicine and performed by acupuncturist. Dry needling is part of modern western medicine principles and supported by research.”
BLOG: Does acupuncture hurt?
http://www.maryannpetersen.com/?s=does+acupuncture+hurt%3F
BLOG: How does acupuncture work?
http://www.maryannpetersen.com/?s=How+does+acupuncture+work%3F
Just for fun, if we have time, check this out:
