Acupuncture in Portland, Maine

Chinese medicine is best described through analogy & simile. Recognizing the body as a reflection of the natural world is a fundamental aspect of understanding the lens of Chinese medicine. Thousands of years ago, medical philosophers recognized that our bodies reflect the laws of nature. The seasonal changes and patterns we see outside ourselves exist as patterns of health and illness in the body. If a river is clogged with rocks and debris, its ability to flow and move becomes compromised. The same can be said of our circulatory system when muscle tissues harden, and knots accumulate from injury and overuse (or even plaque buildup in the arteries). Knotted muscle fibers act like rocks and debris in a river, blocking optimal circulation from moving through an area. Lack of good circulation starves the muscles and tendons downstream from the nourishment they need. This pattern can turn into conditions like Raynaud's syndrome, or Carpel Tunnel if left untreated for an extended period of time. The good news is acupuncture is highly effective at addressing muscle knots and tissue changes by softening and lengthening muscle fibers and enhancing blood flow!

What Are The Benefits of Acupuncture

Western medicine research states the benefits of sports acupuncture and dry needling for musculoskeletal injuries are pain relief, increased circulation, improved range of motion, reduced muscle tension, improved muscle function and conditioning, and faster recovery from injuries.

When used for internal medical conditions, acupuncture is known to stimulate the release of endorphins, reduce the number of pro-inflammatory markers in the body, and also affect the level of pain-modulating neurotransmitters at various sites along the nociceptive pathways. It also promotes endocrine system harmony, enhances circulation and immune function, and promotes central nervous system calmness.

• Increases Blood Flow - acupuncture and dry needling increase blood flow to targeted areas, which promotes faster healing.

• Speeds Healing - acupuncture and dry needling activate the body’s natural healing mechanisms.

• Reduces Pain - acupuncture and dry needling reduce inflammation central and peripheral pain sensitization, which reduces pain.

• Local Twitch Response (LTR) - in sports acupuncture and dry needling specific treatments, the acupuncture needle may release a trigger point or muscle knot and cause an involuntary muscle twitch or contraction that unwinds and lengthens muscle fibers, enhances circulation, and improves mobility.

• Promotes Central Nervous System Balance - when acupuncture is used to calm the body and mind, it triggers the release of neurotransmitters, which leads to relaxation and reduces the activity of the sympathetic nervous system.