Acupuncture is a soft-tissue therapy, a kind of bodywork. 50% of body mass is soft tissue (muscles, fascia, tendons and ligaments, and organs) and most health disorders affect soft tissue. The body compensates for illness through soft-tissue changes. One obvious example is inflammation, either acute (as in a response to infection) or long-term inflammation connected to degenerative disease.
Acupuncture is a nonpharmacologic (i.e., non-drug) means of correcting soft-tissue pathologies for the purpose of restoring health and function. Its capacity to facilitate healing takes the route of normalizing soft tissue. This always involves relief from pain, itself a sign of soft-tissue dysfunction and overexcitation of sensory nerves.
The physiological response of the body to the insertion of an acupuncture needle activates survival mechanisms - cardiovascular, endocrine, and immune - through the mediation of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Working in concert, these communications pathways create a cascade of whole-body and local responses that affect soft tissue. The central nervous system generates endorphins and other neurotransmitters that relieve pain, promote relaxation and stimulate healing. Local responses include increased blood flow at the site of pain and dysfunction that leads to the growth of new, healthy tissue.
A successful acupuncture treatment will often leave the client relaxed and centered. I strive to do the maximal work possible within the constraints of time and the client's own state of health. For most problems, you should experience some improvement within three to four treatments. If you don't, then my approach may not be optimal for your medical issue.
My aim, within the context of a modern, science-based view of the ancient art and craft of acupuncture, is to minimize pain. When I say that "minimizing pain is our mission," I mean this in the largest sense possible. In most cases, this typically means headache and migraine pain, musculoskeletal pain from overuse or sports injuries, menstrual pain or unexplained pain that your medical doctor has no explanation for. But "pain" can include problems ranging from infertility to smoking addiction.
Don't hesitate to use this site to email questions, or simply pick up the phone and ask for me directly. My hours are by appointment, weekdays and some Saturdays, in New Paltz, and Mondays in Manhattan.
Together we offer a complete spectrum of state-of-the-art, noninvasive pain management and fitness services addressing the needs of people experiencing pain as well as the specific needs of competitive and recreational athletes alike.
