Orthopedics Acupuncture (Pain Treatment)

Whether you are suffering from chronic nagging pain or a new injury that just doesn’t want to heal, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can help you. Through the powerful integration of the age old technique of acupuncture, the skilled hands-on application of Tuina (traditional style Chinese therapeutic massage), you can be free from pain. TCM orthopedics combines western pathology, orthopedic theory, with the theory of TCM. Every treatment is uniquely tailored for your specific condition.

Dr. Cao has 10 years of working experience in the Orthopedics department at the affiliating hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, one the very best TCM hospitals in China. With treatments developed through years of experience, Dr. Cao has successfully treated numerous musculoskeletal and joint conditions (especially pain). Patients typically show significant improvement after only a few treatments. Many of the patients had to rely on pain killers, and some of them were already scheduled for surgery. Based on accurate diagnosis enabled by the combination of western anatomy and pathology and traditional Chinese medicine, Dr. Cao has helped many patients to be free from pain killers, avoid surgeries, and recover health.

The commonly treated pain conditions include, but not limit to, sciatica, cervical pain, back pain, pain in joints and limbs, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel, and various kinds of sports injuries (e.g., sprains and strains, tears of ligaments and tendons).

Stress Release

All of us experience stress at one time or another in our lives. In Chinese medicine, stress, anxiety, depression or any strong emotion interrupts the smooth flow of energy throughout the body. According to the TCM theory, energy flows through our body through a network of “roads”, in a fashion that is similar to a highway system. Stress, anger, or any intense emotion acts like a traffic jam, blocking the free flow of energy in the body. For example, many people complain of upper back, shoulder and neck pain when under stress for a relatively long period of time. This is because stress is causing tension in those areas, blocking the free flow of energy and reducing blood circulation, causing pain and tightness. Stress may also affect many other parts of the body, most notably digestion, the ability to sleep, pain conditions, and blood pressure.

Through acupuncture, theses energy blockages can be addressed. Acupuncture points serve as the on and off ramps to the energy highway, which help energy flow smoothly, and alleviate not only the symptoms of stress and anxiety, but the stress and anxiety itself. From a Western medical viewpoint, acupuncture works to alleviate stress by releasing natural pain-killing chemicals in the brain, called endorphins. The calming nature of acupuncture also decreases heart rate, lowers blood pressure and relaxes the muscles. In addition, Tuina, the traditional style Chinese therapeutic massage, also helps to unblock the tension, increase blood circulation, oxygenates the tissues, and cycles out cortisol and other waste chemicals. Combining acupuncture with Tuina provides highly effective treatments against stress.

Type II Diabetes

23.6 million people in the United States (7.8% of the total population) have diabetes, out of which 90%-95% are type II diabetes. Symptoms of type II diabetes include fatigue, blurred vision, pain the feet and legs, frequent or slow-healing infections, and so on. It’s also the leading cause of blindness, kidney failure, and lower limb amputation. Current treatment for type II diabetes mainly relies on medication, which helps to control the level of glucose in the blood, but does not heal or cure the disease. Combining the traditional Chinese meridian theory with Western medicine, Dr. Cao has developed highly effective treatments against type II diabetes by using acupuncture and Tuina. Significant improvements are typically obtained after one to three courses of treatments (each course contains 10 treatments), including reduced sugar level in the blood, reduced symptoms of pain in lower limb, reduced drug intakes and insulin injection, and gradually restored organ functions.

Other Commonly Treated

Allergy; Arthritis; Asthma; Depression; Digestive Disorders; Endocrine Disorders; Headache; Migraine; Immune Disorders; Post Operational Recovery; Respiratory Disorders; Restless Legs; Stress; TMJ.

*Contact us if you would like to inquire about treatment for a disorder not listed here.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is the procedure of inserting and manipulating filiform needles into various points on the body to relieve pain or for therapeutic purposes. Only sterile and disposable needles are used in our clinic for your safety.

Tuina (Chinese manipulative therapy)

Tuina is a form of Chinese manipulative therapy that involves hands-on body treatment. Tuina has been used extensively in China for over 2,000 years. It uses TCM and Chinese martial art principles to bring the body to balance. Tuina has fewer side effects than modern drug-based and chemical-based treatments. It has been used to treat or complement the treatment of many conditions, including musculo-skeletal disorders and chronic stress-related disorders of the digestive, respiratory, and reproductive systems.

Qigong

Since 1995, Dr. Cao has been a certified Qigong master by the Chinese Health Qigong Association. To a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, Qigong is a very important way for self-health maintenance. Not being in good physical condition can affect the effectiveness of an acupuncturist’s treatments. More importantly, for some conditions, the integration of Qigong with Acupuncture and Tuina treatments can significantly increase the effectiveness of the treatments.

Moxibustion

Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine therapy using moxa, or mugwort herb. Practitioners use moxa to warm regions and acupuncture points with the intention of stimulating circulation through the points and inducing a smoother flow of blood and Qi. Research has shown that mugwort acts as an emmenagogue, meaning that it stimulates blood-flow in the pelvic area and uterus. Practitioners consider moxibustion to be especially effective in the treatment of chronic problems, "deficient conditions" (weakness), and gerontology.

Cupping

Cupping is a form of traditional medicine found in many cultures worldwide. It involves placing cups containing reduced air pressure (suction) on the skin. This treatment has some relation to certain massage techniques, such as the rapid skin pinching along the back that is an important aspect of Tuina. Cupping can leave temporary unsightly marks on the skin.

Chinese Herbs

Chinese herbs have been used for centuries for their unique healing power. We only use Chinese patent medicine, which contain standarized herbal formulas. All Chinese patent medicines are manufactured in GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) facilities. They are easy and convenient to use. Doctor Cao may prescribe Chinese patent medicines to assist the effects of other treatments when needed.