Integrating Acupuncture, Physical Therapy, and Chiropractic Care for Optimal Results
Frank (not his real name) had been living with persistent back pain for months. At first, he tried to ignore it, hoping it would go away on its own–but the pain lingered. Frank had never been especially active, but he found himself becoming even more sedentary in an attempt to avoid triggering his pain. He knew he had to do something.
Frank made an appointment at Rehability NJ’s at a friend’s suggestion, where he met with one of our rehab specialists for a comprehensive assessment. We determined that Frank’s back pain stemmed from a lumbar strain exacerbated by poor posture and a sedentary lifestyle. Soft tissue massage, therapeutic exercise and chiropractic adjustments would all be beneficial to improve Frank’s condition and address his postural issues.
However, Frank was concerned about his pain levels. How could he exercise or improve his posture with intense pain and mobility restrictions? Fortunately, we had an answer: acupuncture therapy.
Our unique integrated approach to addressing musculoskeletal issues like Frank’s has helped countless other patients restore and maintain an active lifestyle. When combining the benefits of acupuncture therapy with chiropractic care and physical therapy, results are often more favorable and with longer lasting relief. How does it work? Let’s explore what acupuncture did for Frank’s back pain!
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Understanding Acupuncture: What It Is and What It Does
Acupuncture is a type of Chinese medicine that involves inserting long, thin needles into key parts of the body to address various ailments, including musculoskeletal pain, inflammation, migraines, fatigue, and more. While the practice is based on Chinese philosophy, research shows it is widely effective, especially for chronic pain management. Traditionally, an acupuncturist places the needles according to Meridian points. Stimulating these points is believed to promote healing throughout the body. That’s why our acupuncturist doesn’t only insert needles at pain points, but may choose to insert them elsewhere, too. Ultimately, the goal is to help accelerate pain relief and healing time.
How Acupuncture Helped Address Frank’s Back Pain
Let’s go back to Frank’s story, he was concerned that more vigorous rehab treatments may be too difficult with his current pain levels. Fortunately, our acupuncturist was up to the task.
Patient Success
“I started at Rehability for neck issues, and I feel better every week. The team of chiropractor, acupuncturist, and physical therapists are very knowledgeable and attentive. They created a treatment plan that addressed my specific needs, combining hands-on adjustments with effective exercises. Each visit is a positive experience; the staff is exceptional and treats everyone like family, making you feel comfortable and supported throughout the process. I noticed significant improvements in my posture and a dramatic reduction in pain. I highly recommend Rehability to anyone looking for effective treatment.” –Kristina N.
What Did Frank’s Acupuncture Session Look Like?
Our acupuncturist kicked things off with an assessment to help him understand the best needle placement for Frank’s needs. He learned more about Frank’s pain symptoms and conducted a brief physical exam rooted in Chinese medicine.
Next, it was time for the actual needle placement. Frank got comfortable on an exam table, and then our acupuncturist carefully inserted the needles throughout his body. Frank was surprised that he didn’t experience any pain during insertion–the reason for this is that the needles are thin enough that they don’t really cause discomfort.
The needles remained in place for about 15-20 minutes. After they were removed, Frank’s pain levels were noticeably decreased. To maintain this favorable response, our acupuncturist suggested Frank attend weekly sessions to help ensure lasting relief.
Next Steps: Chiropractic Care and Physical Therapy
Frank was amazed at the difference his acupuncture session made in alleviating his back pain. With less pain, he found it much easier to move, meaning he was ready for the next step in his treatment–addressing the underlying cause of his discomfort.
This was where our chiropractor and physical therapist stepped in. Because Frank’s back pain stemmed from overuse and long-term strain on his lumbar muscles, he needed to improve his core strength to prevent the pain from returning.
Our physical therapist performed soft tissue massage to reduce muscle tightness, then guided him through a therapeutic conditioning program to strengthen the muscles that surround his spine, helping to improve stability throughout his back. Our chiropractor performed spinal adjustments to restore mobility and personalized postural corrections to help keep his spine in alignment, as he moved throughout the day.
By the time Frank finished his full treatment program, his back pain was near gone and he had the tools to stay active and healthy…and it all started with acupuncture!
Alleviate Neck Pain and Headaches with Acupuncture
For thousands of years, people have turned to acupuncture to relieve countless medical ailments. Today, acupuncture is widely available, safe, and supported by substantial volumes of research. Acupuncture is an ancient form of treatment that involves inserting tiny needles into specific points on the skin across the body. Research has even begun to reveal the mechanisms behind these specific acupuncture points. In traditional Chinese Medicine, the treatment is considered to clear pathways for proper regulation of energy and balance within the body.
Acupuncture has countless applications, but two prevalent uses are for the treatment of neck pain and headaches. Research has demonstrated that acupuncture is an effective treatment in the conservative management of neck pain. For patients receiving routine medical care alone, their symptoms and disability are often considerably worse, than for those who may receive both routine care and acupuncture together. Acupuncture is also proven effective for relieving chronic headaches that have no clear source, as well as providing relief for those suffering from migraines. According to the American Migraine Foundation, more than half of individuals with migraines see a 50% drop in the frequency of their headaches with acupuncture therapy.
Experience the Benefits of Acupuncture For Yourself
Acupuncture is an essential aspect of our approach to treatment. By speeding-up pain relief and healing, our acupuncturist can help you get the most out of your physical therapy and chiropractic treatments. Do you think acupuncture can help you too? Schedule an appointment for an initial assessment today!
Have You Met Your Annual Insurance Deductible?
An insurance deductible is the amount of money that you must pay before your insurance company pays for your medical services. If your deductible is met, your physical therapy may not cost you anything. Patients with family plans or those who have had major surgeries or have a chronic illness are especially likely to have a $0 balance remaining on their out-of-pocket expenses. This means that the cost of physical therapy could be minimal or completely covered by the patient’s insurance plan.
If you are close to or have met your insurance deductible for the year, then now is the time to come in for Physical Therapy! Are you feeling aches and pains? Need to work on your core? Let us help you get a head start for 2025.
Have you undergone surgery recently? Call us today to schedule an appointment with one of our physical therapists. We’ll guide you to affordable treatments that will place you one step closer to pain relief.
New England Clam Chowder
Ingredients:
- 19.5 oz chopped clams in clam juice 3 x 6.5oz cans
- 8 ounces clam juice
- 6 slices thick cut bacon chopped
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 ribs celery finely chopped
- 1 large onion chopped
- 1 ¼ pounds russet potatoes peeled and diced into ½-inch cubes, approx. 3 ½ cups
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon
- 2 bay leaves
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Oyster crackers
- chopped fresh parsley
Directions:
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Drain clam juice from cans into a measuring cup. Add enough bottled clam juice to equal 2 ½ cups. Set aside.
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In a Dutch oven, cook bacon over medium heat until fat is rendered and slightly brown. Remove half of the bacon with a slotted spoon to a paper towel lined plate. To the remaining bacon and drippings, melt in 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat.
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Increase heat to medium high and add celery and onion. Saute for 5-7 minutes or until onions are soft. Add potatoes, garlic, red pepper flakes (if using) and sauté 30 seconds. Sprinkle in flour and cook an additional 1 minute. Stir in chicken broth, reserved 2 ½ cups clam juice, chicken bouillon, bay leaves and all seasonings. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Simmer, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes or until potatoes are very tender.
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Stir in heavy cream and bring to a simmer to heat through. Discard bay leaves. Remove from heat and stir in clams. Taste and add salt/pepper to taste. (You may or may not need additional salt depending on how salty your clams and bacon are.) For a thinner or less chunky soup stir in additional heavy cream/milk or chicken broth.
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Top individual servings with reserved bacon and oyster crackers and fresh parsley if desired.
