physical medicine type of acupuncture

[Guest guest]

Would you mind explaining a little more about this?

 

Thanks,

 

Chris

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

I should probably defer to Alon on this one, but will

try and define what I meant by the term.

 

I think that most of us would agree that

musculoskeletal problems are more of a Yang nature and

more amenable to acupuncture (vs. the Yin issues which

are sometimes better treated with herbs and/or

acupuncture). And that in a TCM approach, we would

tend to use the musculotendino meridians. Those of us

who practice integrative musculoskeletal medicine

attempt to combine the best of Eastern and Western

medicine.

 

The revered godmother of trigger point and motor point

therapy was Dr. Janet Travell. Her two-volume book has

been a " Bible " for me for more than 20 years. It is

used by osteopaths, chiropractors, physical

therapists, MDs, DOMs, LAcs, etc.

 

In some states, it is within the scope of practice for

PTs to " dry needle " ......read, use acupuncture needles

(Maryland being one of them). And use this technique,

they do! And, very successfully, so I'm told. I'm

acquainted with a large practice in NYC near Lincoln

Center where most of the PTs are also LAcs, and it is

VERY successful. And yes, they use what I call the

" physical medicine " approach to sports and dance

injuries.

 

Dr. Mark Seem, who is the founder of Tri-State College

of Acupuncture in NYC, teaches acupuncture physical

medicine as part of their curriculum, as well as

continuing ed seminars. You can find his books on

Amazon. He also has a video series that can be ordered

from Tri-State.

 

I personally utilize this type of approach in about

50% of my patients. I find it unequaled for fast

results in sports overtraining or injuries, muscle

dysfunction following joint replacement, and chronic

musculoskeletal problems that just don't respond (or

take too long) to standard acupuncture techniques.

Yes, it would be advantageous if we could inject (as

in prolotherapy) in addition to

dry needling, but as has been previously discussed on

this list, is not within the scope of practice in most

states.

 

Kay King, DC, FIAMA