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What is Pain?

Pain is a generic term used to describe an unusual, unpleasant, and uncomfortable feeling. It can range from mild and annoying to throbbing and debilitating. Physical pain may be localized or generalized.

Physical Pain: Causes & Types

Some types of pain can be managed at home and usually come and go away over time, others can last days and may indicate a serious underlying condition. Some common causes of pain are toothache, bone fractures, headache, muscle cramps, and stomachache.

In many cases, pain is caused by an injury or medical condition. There are several different types of pain including acute pain, chronic pain, neuropathic pain, and functional pain.

Acute pain often results from an injury, illness or medical procedure. It tends to be sharp and occurs suddenly. Acute pain can last for days, weeks or months. Chronic pain comes and goes. It can last for years. It can result from different health conditions such as cancer, arthritis, and fibromyalgia.

Neuropathic pain is caused by nerve damage (most common causes of nerve damage include injuries and illnesses). People with neuropathic pain feel a burning, stabbing, prickling or shooting sensation in the affected body parts. Functional pain is pain caused by no obvious injury or damage to the body.

How Can Acupuncture Help?

There are several medications available for pain relief. Many pain medications have side effects and can be addictive. Many people who want to steer clear of side effects of pain medications use acupuncture for pain relief.

Chinese have been using acupuncture to treat different pain conditions since time immemorial. Several studies have shown that the ancient Chinese practice can help manage different types of pain.

A pain acupuncturist in East Bay inserts and manipulates paper-thin needles at strategic points in the body to stimulate the production of the body’s natural pain-killing chemicals such as endorphins.

Acupuncture also affects the part of the brain responsible for the production of serotonin, a hormone responsible for regulating mood and anxiety. It affects the way our brain responds to painful nerve impulses to lessen their impact.

Acupuncture reduces inflammation. It removes inflammatory pain-causing chemicals built up in the body. This reduces pain and moves blood to the affected areas, so the tissues can heal naturally.

Lifestyle and Dietary Recommendations to Reduce Inflammation

Make exercise a part of your life. Add anti-inflammatory foods such as berries, broccoli, fatty fish, green tea, avocados, and peppers to your diet. Cut back on inflammatory foods such as processed foods including soft drinks, fried foods, and dairy foods.

Anchor Acupuncture is a top-rated acupuncture clinic in East Bay. Our pain acupuncturists in East Bay treat the root cause of pain. We will create a customized plan to fit your specific treatment needs.