What You Need to Know About Your Pain Before Getting Acupuncture

Many of our patients seek acupuncture for pain but not many are able to answer a few basic questions necessary for a detailed TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) diagnosis. This is how to prepare for the intake.

In the ancient Chinese portions of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)- as opposed to the western portion- pain is due to obstruction of Qi ("energy") flow and treatment is designed to unblock and restore that flow. At Brightwaters Acupuncture, diagnosis and treatment is based primarily on this ancient Chinese understanding of pain.

If the diagnosis is according to the rules of ancient information gathering methods then most valuable information is obtained directly from the patient through questioning, observation and palpation. Western diagnosis, Imaging as mri reports and blood tests are unnecessary and do not contribute significantly to a TCM diagnosis based on ancient methodologies.

As a practitioner, in order to arrive at a TCM diagnosis, we need to determine the following regarding pain from the qi “energetic” perspective. Where in the body is the blockage? Is it in the skin, muscle, acupuncture channel or organ? What type of blockage is it? Is it Blood stagnation, Cold invasion, Qi stagnation or Phlegm? Is the blockage from too much qi in the area or too little? How did it arise? Is it from trauma, diet, external invasion?

“Saying “neck pain” to an acupuncturist is like saying “coffee” to a Starbucks barista.

The acupuncturist needs detailed information regarding the patient pain in order for the acupuncturist to arrive at the most accurate diagnosis. And the best source of that information is the patient and by the patient understanding the information below.

Patients Need to Know Before Getting Acupuncture

Location of Pain

This is fairly obvious but is necessary to say. There are those who say “everything hurts”. To an acupuncturist and any medical practitioner “everything” is vague. Does it mean head, neck pain, back, ankle, skin, muscle, bone, tooth, toenail, abdominal and hemorrhoid pain? As a medical practitioner, “everything" means all that and more.

It is best to identify pain areas as specifically as possible and point to it with one finger if possible. Pointing to the back of the head to show a headache already is aiding diagnosis.

Pain quality

Saying “neck pain” to an acupuncturist is like saying “coffee” to a Starbucks barista. The quality of pain reveals a great deal of information to the practitioner regarding the patient’s ailment.

For example there is: dull, achy, burning, electric pain; each one means something different diagnostically. One may have different qualities simultaneously at the same or different places.

Aggravating factors

What makes the pain worse? Does rest or activity aggravate the pain? Does bending, lying face up or face down aggravate? Does the cold or damp weather make it worse? Eating sweet, greasy food or dairy? Does stress aggravate? Maybe there are times of day as morning, evening, 2-5 pm when pain is noticeably worse. This information has much bearing upon a TCM diagnosis.

Relieving factors

This is equally informative as aggravating factors. Sometimes a little attention is necessary to identify the relieving factors for pain. For example a patient who says “activity makes pain worse” but “nothing makes it better” and has a “10 out of 10” pain is a bit contradictory.

There are many relieving factors including rest, activity, massage, not aggravating the pain, over-the-counter medications and even simply time.

Intensity of pain- (We use 2 Pain Scales)

At Brightwaters Acupuncture we often use 2 different pain scales. We acknowledge that pain is a subjective experience but also strive to put that into comprehensive lifestyle perspective. One pain scale is associated with distress and the other with daily living.

We find that patients sometimes have difficulty with a functional based pain scale. For example a person with a paper cut may experience “11 out of 10” pain. They have no physical limitations preventing them from carrying out daily activities except for distress.

Using two pain scales allows diagnosis and treatment focus on either physical or emotional discomfort as necessary.

Do you have pain now?

At Brightwaters Acupuncture instant pain reduction is a goal. However, it there is no pain at the time of treatment then instant pain reduction is not possible. Sometimes patients are so accustomed experiencing pain and saying they are in pain that they are no longer attentive actually feeling pain. Lacking pain at the moment does not mean a patient is not eligible for treatment it just means that the treatment may be a little different.

Are Your Treatment Goals Realistic?

At Brightwaters Acupuncture we understand that not everyone has the same health care goals. Some seek acupuncture for relaxation, some for ailment relief and even others for self improvement (Yes, we do that too.) However, seeking acupuncture to lose 10 lbs of body fat, “fixing” 3 herniated discs and lowering blood pressure from one treatment is unrealistic. If a medical doctor- a “real doctor” to some- can’t make that promise then how can we?

Are You Ready to Make Changes In Your Life?

This means obtaining regular treatment and following the directions of the practitioner. Directions include changes in diet, exercise, attitude, activity to name a few. This notion applies to any health care profession one seeks treatment and guidance including TCM (acupuncture, herbs, body work and physical arts).

How Often are You Willing to Get Acupuncture Treatment?

For one to obtain the most benefits from acupuncture or any other modality in one needs to commit to regular treatment. These modalities are to help bring one back to a “healthy path” and once on that path, the patient continues healthy lifestyle using the knowledge and skills they have learned. However, based on nearly 2 decades of clinical experience in pain treatment I can say the following regarding treatment frequency:

* One treatment occasionally: will help one to feel very relaxed for a few days, very simple acute condition or maintenance after the condition has stabilized.

* Once or twice a month: for those who want to feel relaxed, chronic conditions where one does not mind slow improvement or those who are reducing treatment as the condition improves.

* Once a week: for moderately severe chronic conditions where one does not mind slow improvement for their condition.

* More than once a week: for those whose is severe or acute conditions or want to maintain the “peak effectiveness” of treatment.

Are You Willing to Invest in Yourself?

At Brightwaters Acupuncture we consider physical, mental, emotional and even spiritual health precious resources in life. Acupuncture treatment as any other health care modality is part of that investment in oneself. What you sow monetarily you reap in good times and better quality of life. We believe you are worth it. Do you?

If Yes, then Call or Text us to make an appointment.

(631) 433-2184

250 West Main Stree

Bay Shore, New York, 11706