We all get occasional aches and pains that last a day or two and then go away. But aches that go on, day after day, in the knees, shoulders, back or legs can make simple things like walking, climbing up and down stairs, or even just sitting, a challenge at best and unbearable at worst. Pain wakes you up at night and it is always on your mind.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common causes of chronic pain. It causes pain, inflammation and stiffness, making it hard to flex and extend your body. Opioids such as Endone are often prescribed for this type of chronic pain. These are addictive and harmful to the body over the long term.

For millions of people who live with pain, acupuncture is no longer an exotic curiosity. It's now widely accepted among the medical community and it's pretty popular with patients as well. A recent survey found Australians have almost ten million visits to an acupuncturist each year.  

SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE:

Research shows acupuncture to be a cost-effective way to treat pain with no risk for the patient.

One study of 18,000 patients found acupuncture to be helpful for many pain conditions, including knee osteoarthritis. In addition to promoting an anti-inflammatory effect, studies show that acupuncture releases endogenous opioid endorphins (the body’s natural pain-relieving chemicals).

A research analysis undertaken by Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts has found that acupuncture is effective for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, low back pain, and fibromyalgia. They add that there is considerable evidence that acupuncture produces pain relieving effects by stimulating nerves that trigger the body’s natural opioid systems.

Hospitals like New York’s Mount Sinai are now incorporating acupuncture into the pain treatment plans.

SAY NO TO OPIOIDS

Today, more than ever, it’s important to look beyond chronic pain medicine — especially opioids — for solutions. Now with the medical profession looking to find drug-free approaches to pain management (in the light of the dangers of opioids and opioid addiction - the powerful pain medications that includes codeine, morphine, OxyContin, Percocet and Endone), isn’t it time to embrace natural alternatives?

Cortisone and steroid injections have their place but should not be used regularly. The Mayo Clinic suggests no more than 3-4 times per year at most. Repeated usage thins the skin and thins the bones, leading to osteoporosis.

HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE FOR PAIN WORK?

Acupuncture is a good option to keep in mind to decrease pain, inflammation and stiffness, and increase range of motion, in your knee. And that can improve your overall quality of life, meaning you can better participate in all of your day-to-day activities, whether that’s at work, the park, the gym or just keeping up with the kids or grandkids!

Acupuncture first came to the notice of those in the west in 1971 when an article appeared in the New York Times. It was a piece written by a reporter who had visited China and wrote about how Chinese medicine doctors had healed his pain from back surgery using needles.

In the intervening 50 years since, study after study indicates that, yes, acupuncture can and does work. There's nothing magical about acupuncture. Acupuncture works by activating the body's own self-healing mechanism.

And that's the main goal of acupuncture: self-healing. Our bodies can do it. Our bodies are not designed to be dependent on drugs.

If you're deciding if acupuncture is right for you, it's best to be open to its benefits and skeptical of claims it's a magical cure-all. It should be part of a comprehensive approach to solve problems.

Any type of pain - muscular-skeletal, fibromyalgia, period pain, migraines, post-surgery etc. responds to acupuncture.

The Final Word

Doctors learn more about acupuncture each year but still no one fully understands how acupuncture works. Does it boost your body’s painkilling ability? Does it affect your blood flow? Can it help your body manage depression to promote further healing? Scientists continue to study -- and debate -- the issues.

But those who practice acupuncture say that's no reason to stop doing it. How popular is aspirin as an over-the-counter painkiller. Did you know that it took years and years to figure out the exact molecular mechanisms, but we were able to buy aspirin over the counter. You have a headache? Take aspirin. You have back pain? Take aspirin. You have heart problems? ... We just accepted that aspirin worked even if we didn’t know how.

Acupuncture has good evidence supporting it. Just because we can't necessarily explain it down to the molecular level doesn't mean we need to fear or distrust it.

How to Get Started

Free 15 Minute Consultation
Why Not Book In For A Free 15 Minute Mini-Consultation - Come In And Spend Some Time Talking About Your Health.  Whether You Decide To Work With Me Or Not, You Will Leave The Session Knowing That There Are Concrete Things You Can Do To Feel Better And More In Control.

Initial Treatment and Consultation
If you are keen to get started right away, you can book online for a consultation and treatment. An ongoing treatment program may include Chinese herbs, supplements, dietary and lifestyle recommendations.

Cathy Bell,

Doctor of Chinese Medicine,

Registered Acupuncturist AHPRA

Yin Studio:

Founded in 2006 by Cathy Bell, Yin Studio has become a sought-after health and wellness clinic, known for its warm, inviting atmosphere and sincere, compassionate care for its patients.

Cathy Bell provides results-oriented, natural wellness care for people of all ages. Her goal with each patient is a long-term, self-sustained shift in core factors that determine health and wellness. These core factors bridge all levels of being — physical, psychological, even spiritual.

My mission is simple: To support YOUR health and goals, and help you make the most of them. Whether you want to complement your conventional medical treatments with natural support, or go with a 100% natural solution, I do my best to help you achieve the best outcome possible. Treatments are based on getting results as quickly and efficiently as possible. Results matter, and I am proud of a proven history of positive outcomes.

Your body’s natural healing intelligence never forgets how to restore balance and vitality to every cell, tissue, and organ. All you have to do is give it the right support. At Yin Studio you are an active participant in the healing process. You will be educated on the proper way to get your healing system back on track via a targeted, customised treatment plan that will include one or more of the following: acupuncture, nutrition, herbs, lifestyle/mind-body coaching.