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Acupuncture has proven to have many positive effects on the body and mind and is becoming more and more common as an alternative medical treatment every day. According to WebMD, acupuncture for lower back pain is the number one reported reason people seek out acupuncture. The same article states that “guidelines from the American Pain Society and American College of Physicians say doctors should consider acupuncture as an alternative therapy for patients with chronic low-back pain that’s not helped by conventional treatment.”

There have been numerous studies, firsthand experiences and surveys that show acupuncture for lower back pain really works. Many patients with lower back pain go through endless doctor appointments, chiropractor appointments and pain medications, without ever finding a solution that really works. Acupuncture for lower back pain relief is natural, originating from China more than 2,500 years ago. Acupuncture is completely safe, natural and non-addictive. The best thing about acupuncture, however, is that there are numerous studies and evidence that prove its effectiveness.

Causes and Symptoms of Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain may occur from a number of different reasons. The pain may result from an injury, or come from skeletal, muscular or nerve issues. The body’s largest vertebrae are found in the lumbar spine, supporting most of the weight of the upper body. These vertebrae are highly susceptible to degeneration and injury, and an injury at one spinal level can cause a number of symptoms. If you started experiencing lower back pain from a sports injury, Endpoint Wellness can also assist in the healing of your injury through sports acupuncture. No matter what the cause is, lower back pain is always uncomfortable and the pain should be managed as early on as possible. Symptoms of lower back pain include:

• Dull, aching pain
• Pain that travels to the buttocks, legs, and feet
• Pain that is worse after prolonged sitting
• Pain that feels better when changing positions
• Pain that is worse after waking up and better after moving around

If you have any or all of these symptoms, you should consider contacting Endpoint Wellness today for a consultation on how acupuncture can help your lower back pain.

How Acupuncture for Lower Back Pain Works

Acupuncture is described as the insertion of anywhere from 1 to 20 thin needles into the skin, ranging from less than one to several inches long. The needles are inserted at different “acupoints” throughout the body which are connected by different pathways or “meridians.” When these acupoints – more than 2,000 throughout the body – are stimulated, it improves the flow of energy throughout the body, or qi. As mentioned earlier, there are many different healing powers of acupuncture, but acupuncture for lower back pain is one of the most common and sought-after benefits.

There are many different theories on why acupuncture works for relieving lower back pain. The most common one is that acupuncture stimulates the central nervous system which causes the release of opioids, naturally occurring chemicals in the brain that block the feeling of pain. Another theory is that acupuncture stimulates the electromagnetic points in the body, which is believed to start the flow of endorphins, another natural painkiller in the body. It is also said that the stimulation of these electromagnetic points could cause the release of immune cells throughout the body, also promoting healing of the damaged area.

The last theory is that acupuncture activates the hypothalamus and pituitary glands, altering the secretion of neurotransmitters and neurohormones. Neurotransmitters are altered in a way that dampens nerve impulses, reducing the pain, and neurohormones are altered to positively affect the function or activity of an organ in the bod, according to WebMD. Both WebMD and spine-health.com cited these as possible reasons acupuncture is effective, as well as a plethora of other evidence.

The aftermath of acupuncture includes increased range of movement and reduce your pain while your body naturally repairs injured or degenerated tissues. We have some more natural ways to relieve back pain as well! Endpoint Wellness will work with you to determine the type of acupuncture treatment best suited for your back pain to find relief. Contact us today for a consultation and acupuncture appointment with Dr. Geoffrey N. Hayes.

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When most people hear the term “acupuncture” they assume people receive acupuncture for pain relief, either for back pain or other muscles. While acupuncture is a great alternative medicine for pain relief and muscle rehabilitation and is used by many for those purposes like depression, it also has numerous benefits for issues that are controlled by the mind. Research has shown that acupuncture has proven to be as effective as prescription drugs and other forms of treatment when it comes to the problems below.

Three Positive Mental Outcomes from Acupuncture You Would Not Expect

Acupuncture for Depression

In a recent article by the Healthcare Medicine Institute, acupuncture was found just as effective as prescription drugs in the treatment of mild depression. Acupuncture has been thought of as an alternative medicine for depression and anxiety since it has become more widely accepted in the past decade, but now there is substantial proof. In a recent study by the Guangdong Province Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, researchers found that acupuncture with moxibustion produced a similar outcome for patients as an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) commonly used to treat depression, paroxetine.

Of the three groups of subjects (acupuncture, paroxetine, and the standard control group), the group who received acupuncture and moxibustion showed an 84.3 effective rate in reducing depression with fewer negative side effects than the group who received the paroxetine, which received an 86% total effective rate.

The side effects from the group who received the paroxetine included palpitations, dry mouth, loss of appetite, dizziness, constipation, and one patient cut his finger (possibly due to dizziness caused by the drug). The only negative side effects from the acupuncture included one case of a hematoma and four of blistering due to moxibustion. Another article outlines a study that showed acupuncture was just as effective as the anti-depressant fluoxetine (the generic name of Prozac) in reducing symptoms of depression.

The study tracked levels of glial cell line–derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), a neuroprotective protein in patients that is said to be lower among patients with major depressive disorder. After six weeks, the groups who received the drug fluoxetine and acupuncture both showed restored levels of GDNF, but acupuncture achieved the results faster.

Research suggests that acupuncture is effective because the needles may activate natural painkillers in the brain, or  because acupuncture is believed to improve functioning by correcting energy blocks or imbalances in the organs.

Acupuncture for Insomnia

In another study done by Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, acupuncture was found to be more effective than a drug, zopiclone, in improving sleep duration, quality, latency, efficiency and daytime functioning. Of two groups of patients, the group that received the zopiclone achieved a 67.9% total effective rate and the group that received the acupuncture achieved a 92.9% total effective rate.

The study also revealed that ten patients completely recovered in the acupuncture group, whereas there were only 3 complete recoveries in the drug group. One theory why acupuncture is such an effective tool for sleep aid is that insomnia is caused by an imbalance of the body’s yin and yang, which determines the sleep and awake cycle. By performing acupuncture, which balances the body’s qi and yin and yang, the sleep and awake cycle can be restored, curing the insomnia.

An additional benefit of receiving acupuncture for insomnia is that it is a natural treatment and non-addictive, unlike some sleep aid drugs like zopiclone. In some cases, the alleviation of insomnia directly correlates to an improvement in depression.

According to another article, a study showed that for patients with anxiety, acupuncture increased the brain’s production of melatonin, which is the hormone that regulates sleep. Many studies have shown acupuncture to be effective in treating insomnia for patients that do not have additional mental health problems, also.

Acupuncture for Addiction

Not only has acupuncture proven effective in reducing the symptoms of depression and insomnia, but there is also hope for those struggling with addiction thanks to acupuncture. A recent study by Daegu Haany University and Qiqihar Medical University, researchers investigated acupuncture as a means of suppressing intravenous methamphetamine self-administration, according to an article published by the Healthcare Medicine System. In the study, the application of acupuncture to an acupoint located on the wrist suppresses methamphetamine self-administration via the GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) receptor system. GABA is a neurotransmitter responsible for inhibiting central nervous system excitability in adults.

Researchers concluded that these findings are consistent with results from another investigation proving that acupuncture reduced morphine-related addictive behaviors.  The website recovery.org also lists acupuncture as an alternative or complementary method for addiction recovery, stating that “auricular or ear acupuncture is a popular form of this treatment that involves shallow insertion of a thin needle at various points on the skin of the external ear to help ease withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction that might benefit from acupuncture in the Albuquerque area, contact Endpoint Wellness today to make an appointment.

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Do you want to experience the benefits of acupuncture but the thought of being stuck with tiny needles is scary to you still? Endpoint Wellness is very accommodating to needle-sensitive patients and offers non-needle acupuncture, or microlight electro-acupuncture, as an effective form of meridian balancing and pain relief.

It’s no secret that acupuncture has been proven effective for pain relief, stress reduction, injury rehabilitation, facial rejuvenation and more. However, microlight electro-acupuncture has many of the same benefits of acupuncture without the needles which may seem daunting to some people.Those hesitant to try acupuncture may want to start with microlight electro-acupuncture first.

What is microlight electro-acupuncture you ask? This non-needle form of acupuncture combines low-frequency microcurrents with specific colors of therapeutic light, providing relief and many of the same benefits as traditional acupuncture. Microcurrent is electric current in millionths of an ampere. It can relieve pain, increase the rate of wound healing, increase protein synthesis, stimulate the regeneration of injured tissue and stimulate lymphatic flow.

Microcurrent flows at one millionth of an ampere and is therefore delivered at a scale similar to current the body produces on its own in each cell. According to an article in acupuncture today, Microcurrent therapy is so effective because “every aspect of our bodies is pre-wired to respond to subtle electrical currents. Most parts of our bodies also produce endogenous electrical charges – including nerve cells, fascia (connective tissue), muscles, brain cells and our hearts.” Electro-acupuncture can also be used with needles, it just means that the pulsating electrical current is applied to acupuncture needles that are inserted at acupuncture points throughout the body. Below are some of the benefits.

Pain Relief

Microlight electro-acupuncture is one of the fastest known treatments of pain. The reason why microlight therapy works so well to relieve pain, according to eastwestseminars.com, is because the two forms of energy stimulation enhance each other’s effects when administered together. The microcurrent and specific colors of light create a “high-low Hz” biological resonance effect, targeting specific body tissues and enhancing the qi. Color light also enhances cellular functioning, speeding up the healing process if one is recovering from an injury.  IN addition, the microcurrent “reduces electrical resistance on the body areas and pathways onto which it is applied,” according to Acupuncture Today. This effect allows for better penetration of the therapeutic color light deep into the areas being treated. If you’ve considered acupuncture for pain relief, but are just not ready, microlight electro-acupuncture may be a more comforting alternative.

Soothing and Relieves Stress

The actual humming sound and motion of the electrodes used in electro-acupuncture is very soothing and relaxing in nature. Combined with the microlight therapy, the color light is also very therapeutic and builds off of traditional acupuncture’s stress relieving qualities. According to an article by Anne Hendren Coulter, phototherapy, or healing with light, may have been one of the first known natural therapies. Simulated sunlight in the form of bright light has been known to reduce stress and help with Seasonal Affective Disorder. Like acupuncture, therapeutic light has many natural healing properties that increase wellness in the body and mind.

Facial Rejuvenation and Anti Aging

Endpoint Wellness offers cosmetic acupuncture, which is essentially an acupuncture session where acu-points in the skin and face are manipulated. If you’re not sure if cosmetic acupuncture is for you, or too scared with the use of needles, you might want to consider non-needle microlight electro-acupuncture. microlight electro-acupunture is one of the fastest growing, most popular and effective forms of facial rejuvenation and anti-aging treatment. Microcurrent is unparalleled for collagen production, which is the protein that gives our skin strength and elasticity. Microlight therapy is a safe and natural alternative to procedures like Botox, chemical peels and dermabrasion. According to the MicroLight Institute, “The popularity of nonsurgical rejuvenation procedures is rapidly growing. There has been a 471% increase in the numbers of such procedures performed since 1997.” Endpoint Wellness offers a form of microlight electro-acupuncture called  Energy Light Rejuvenation™, which has been said to produce the following results:

• Increase in collagen and elastin production
• Smoothing fine lines and wrinkles
• A healthy, vibrant glow in the face
• Reduction or elimination of acne, blemishes and age spots
• Minimized puffiness
• No surgery, needles, redness, flaking, downtime or discomfort

According to Dr. Darren Starwynn, the acupuncturist who invented Energy Light Rejuvenation, the lifting and rejuvenation effects take place through the adjustment of facial muscle tone, detoxification and cleansing of the skin, and stimulation of the acupuncture meridian system.

If you are interested in non-needle acupuncture, cosmetic acupuncture, or facial rejuvenation in Albuquerque, visit Endpoint Wellness or make an appointment today!

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With so much to do and see outdoors in the Albuquerque area, it’s no surprise how many people are active and exercise on a regular basis. However, with activity always comes the risk of injury. Endpoint Wellness offers holistic sports medicine treatments and sports acupuncture for athletes of all ages and skill levels to boost their athletic performance and recover more quickly from their injuries. Plus, acupuncture is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety before a big sporting event.

Before going over the sports medicine treatments that Endpoint Wellness has to offer, you might be wondering: is sports acupuncture right for me?

Trick question: sports acupuncture is right for everyone!

The term “sports acupuncture” might sound intimidating and like it’s only something “serious athletes” should use, but don’t be fooled, it is right for everyone! Whether you are a professional athlete, student athlete, outdoor enthusiast, exercise just for fun, or just starting to get into the routine of exercising, anyone is able to reap the benefits of sports acupuncture and holistic sports medicine.

What are the benefits of Sports Acupuncture & Sports Medicine?

Acupuncture and sports medicine treatments can help you recover from a sports injury or trauma, enhance your performance, and reduce muscle soreness for a more speedy recovery between workouts. Also, as mentioned above, acupuncture is known to release endorphins, which reduce stress, which can be very helpful when preparing or training for a big sporting event. And the best benefit of all perhaps is that it is a healthy, safe and drug-free way to take care of your body!

Endpoint Wellness incorporates principles from both Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Western Sports Medicine in our treatment program. The sports medicine treatments at Endpoint Wellness include:

Traditional Acupuncture

The insertion of tiny hair-thin needles into specific acupuncture points in meridians (or channels) throughout the body is a method of manipulating the flow of vital energy, or qi. This activates the body’s own powers of healing and rejuvenation by reducing inflammation and boosting blood flow in injured or sore areas. In sports medicine, acupuncture is frequently used in injury recovery and therapy. It is also used by many elite athletes as a method for managing stress and anxiety before events as well as muscle recovery and rejuvenation afterward.

MicroLight Electro-Acupuncture

This treatment system combines micro-current and color light therapy to reduce pain and recover injuries. Using a wand or electrode pads, the micro-current (electric currents in the millionths of amp levels) is applied to specific acupuncture points or regions of pain. MicroLight electro-acupuncture works to help the body balance and restore its own electrical functions when they go awry, combined with therapeutic light which stimulates energy and increases endorphins and healing effects. The micro-current and color light therapy boost each other’s effects and results when combined.

Tui Na

(Pronounced “twee-nah”) is the oldest known form of massage and a key component of TCM that addresses specific patterns of disharmony throughout the body. Based on the same Oriental medical principles as acupuncture, tui na seeks to improve the flow of qi through the meridian channels. Tui na is particularly effective for conditions involving muscles, tendons and joints, such as structural misalignment, orthopedic problems and sports injuries. It can also be used to treat internal diseases

Kinesio Taping

Endpoint Wellness also offers kinesio taping, a proven way to reduce muscle soreness and heal injuries. Kinesiology tape is made up of cotton fibers with polymer elastic strands woven throughout, allowing for a full range of motion during exercise.

According to an article on Competitor Running, Kinesiology tape “offers structural or muscle support; it can correct postural problems and increase blood flow and lymphatic drainage.” It works by lifting the skin when the tape is applied to create a small space between the muscle and dermis layers. That space takes the pressure off swelling or injured muscles, allows smooth muscle movement and makes space for drainage and blood flow.

Chinese Herbal Medicine

Herbal medicine is an integral component of TCM and one of the oldest (and most popular) forms of health care. Herbal medicine refers to the use of a plant’s seed, berries, roots, leaves, bark or flowers for medicinal purposes. Studies have shown that herbal medicine can be used to treat conditions such as colds, digestive disorders, insomnia, headaches, arthritis, skin disorders, asthma and more. There are thousands of herbs in the Materia Medica (a pharmacological reference book used by TCM practitioners), of which about 300 are commonly used to treat ailments. In addition to being used in conjunction with acupuncture for added therapeutic effect, Endpoint Wellness will create a unique blend of herbs for each patient, tailored to their condition.

Ready to try out sports acupuncture or any of the sports medicine treatments mentioned above for yourself? Contact Endpoint Wellness today to make an appointment.

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Why more people are turning to acupuncture instead of prescription pain medication?

While the United States is in the midst of an opioid epidemic, and the urge to offer patients an alternative to prescription pain medication is greater than ever, more and more people are using acupuncture as an alternative to treating pain. The ancient form of traditional Chinese medicine has left many with positive results and relieved symptoms while carrying none of the deadly, addictive ingredients found in prescription pain medication. As the number of opioid overdose-related deaths in the country rises, so does the number of people seeking another method for pain relief besides prescription drugs.

Acupuncture has been practiced since ancient times in Chinese culture, more than 2,000 years ago. Although it was known amongst some in the United States, it didn’t become widely recognized until the 1970’s and legal until the 1980’s. There is no evidence or articles currently published which state anyone has ever died from acupuncture, but plenty of evidence suggesting acupuncture has helped relieve pain symptoms for many conditions, among other benefits. On the contrary, since opioids became commonly prescribed for pain in the 1990’s, opioid overdose rates began to increase. Today, more than 115 people in the United States die after overdosing on opioids every day, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Why do people start taking prescription pain medication?

Doctors may prescribe painkillers for a number of different reasons. For example, if someone has been in a car accident or recent trauma leaving them with severe pain. Acupuncture for car crashes has become a common alternative to pain medications. Others with traumatic experiences leaving them with chronic pain are also turning to acupuncture instead of prescription drugs.

According to a recent Associated Press article, the military and Veteran Affairs “began promoting a range of alternative approaches to pain treatment, including acupuncture,” about a decade ago. Now, “two-thirds of military hospitals and other treatment centers offer acupuncture, according to a recent study.” Some veterans stated that they turned to acupuncture because they didn’t like how pain medication made them feel, and didn’t want to risk becoming addicted. Other studies have shown that in addition to acupuncture for pain relief, it can also help reduce the symptoms of post-traumatic stress.

Another reason one may begin taking prescription pain medication besides an accident or recent trauma, is because of a sports injury. Sports acupuncture has become more and more common over the past years, because of evidence that it works in many cases.  Most easily explained, acupuncture works well for sports injuries because the stimulation of the needle inserted at or near the site of injury “increases microcirculation in the area, thus increasing the blood to the tissues that are injured.” This may assist in the healing of the problem – sometimes noticeably faster, according to an article on the American College of Sports Medicine’s website.

Another benefit of sports acupuncture is that it is completely legal, and not banned by many competitions and sports organizations such as the U.S. Olympic Committee. There are also no known side effects of acupuncture. In addition to relieving pain due to sports injuries, endurance athletes use it as a drug free way to boost sports performance. Other benefits are that acupuncture reduces stress, increases circulation, decreases inflammation, and can be used as a preventative measure to correct imbalances in musculature and muscle firing patterns. If you are an athlete in the Albuquerque area, visit Endpoint Wellness today to learn if sports acupuncture may be right for you.

Another instance where acupuncture is a safer, healthier alternative to prescription pain medication is for chronic pain. According to a recent New York Times article, “Throwing powerful drugs at chronic pain problems may only add to the problem because ever higher doses are often needed to keep the pain at bay.”  This contributes to the growing opioid epidemic and increasing overdose rates of patients taking prescription pain medication. Drug-free alternatives to pain management are now a top priority among many health institutions, such as the American College of Physicians and the National Institute of Health. New drug-free suggestions for treating chronic or recurring back pain recently issued by the American College of Physicians include exercise, rehabilitation, acupuncture, tai chi, yoga, progressive relaxation and cognitive behavioral therapy. These non-invasive, safe treatments have proved highly effective in relieving chronic pain.

Besides being a healthier, non-addictive and safer alternative to prescription drugs, acupuncture is 100% chemical free. With many pain medications,  patients are unaware of the chemicals they are putting into their bodies with every dose. The chemicals in pain medication alter the chemicals in the brain in an artificial way to relieve pain. The relief from acupuncture comes from the body’s natural reaction to the insertion of acupuncture needles throughout the body’s meridians. The comfort you’ll get from knowing what you’re putting into your body and how it’s being affected with acupuncture versus not knowing with pain medication should be enough to steer clear of prescriptions and try the healthier alternative: acupuncture.