What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese healing art that involves the insertion of extremely thin needles through your skin at strategic points on your body. Once a needle is inserted, a local response in the tissue where the needle is placed is inserted. The local response is measured as an influx of red blood cells, platelet-rich plasma, white blood cells, cytokines, and nutritional factors. This response is critical to aid in tissue restoration and restored function, as well as eliciting the body’s natural painkillers. Systemically, multiple responses (depending on factors such as depth of needle, angle, retention, placement) in different body systems, most notably the endocrine system, immune system, cardiovascular system, and nervous system.
Because Acupuncture influences many different body systems, it is used to help treat all types of diseases and body dysfunction. It can be used for chronic or acute conditions like back pain, neck pain, headaches, sciatica, and tendonitis. At Performance Rehabilitation & Regenerative Medicine, the Acupuncture department typically treats:
- Pain (anywhere)
- Weight loss
- Chronic fatigue
- Migraine headaches
For many patients, Acupuncture is an integral part of their non-surgical orthopedic treatment plan. Some patients can’t initially tolerate physical medicine or rehabilitation due to pain and/or physical limitations. Since Acupuncture treatment is passive, it does not require any movement or effort on the part of the patient. Acupuncture plays a synergistic role in relation to a fully integrated non-surgical treatment algorithm with many other patients. The Acupuncturist collaborates with the Medical or Chiropractic physician and/or Physical Therapist
 to ensure that the patient receives the most comprehensive care possible.
There are not many contraindications to Acupuncture treatment; however, there are a few. Some of these include anyone under the influence of narcotics or alcohol, severely anemic with weakened blood or hearts, or patients with any bleeding disorders.
If you think Acupuncture treatment may be right for you, or if you have any questions, please feel free to call for an appointment. Contact one of our Patient Care Coordinators today! 908-756-2424 or email us at info@performancerehabnj.com.
