Acupuncture Specialist

New York Pain Medicine

Pain and Sports Management Physicians & Physical Therapy located in Midtown East, New York, NY

Acupuncture is a great complementary treatment for pain, anxiety, and opiate detoxification. The acupuncturist at New York Pain Medicine, Peter Tricarico, blends ancient oriental influences and modern techniques to bring you a relaxing, therapeutic treatment. Dr. Douglas Allen often recommends acupuncture as part of a comprehensive pain management plan. To schedule your first acupuncture session, contact the Midtown East, New York office online or over the phone.

Acupuncture Q & A

 

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture involves the insertion of a series of long, thin needles into the skin at specific points on the body. Most practitioners use the treatment for pain and stress.
Traditional acupuncture has origins in ancient Chinese medicine. Practitioners believed the needles helped balance the body’s qi, or energy, flow throughout the body.
Modern Western acupuncture operates on the premise that the needles help stimulate tissues, nerves, and muscles to produce natural pain-killing chemicals. Each practitioner uses their own style, blending Western and Eastern approaches according to their preferences.

What should I expect during an acupuncture treatment?

Before the procedure, Peter Tricarico asks questions about your condition and examines the affected body parts for coloring, strength, and pulse to determine their treatment plan.
Then, he steps out of the room while you remove clothing from the treatment area, cover up with a sheet or gown, and lie down on the comfortable treatment table.
When your practitioner comes back in, he inserts around five to 20 thin needles at various depths in the skin. Most people wonder if acupuncture hurts, but patients report little to no discomfort when the needle enters the skin.
Your acupuncturist may manipulate the needles, apply heat, or send electrical impulses through the needles to activate them. Once the needles are in place, your practitioner lets you rest for 10-20 minutes before removing them again.
After the treatment, you may feel energized or very relaxed as you resume your day. Peter Tricarico may suggest coming back for one to two treatments per week for several weeks to address your condition.

What conditions does acupuncture treat?

Peter Tricarico blends traditional and non-traditional methods of acupuncture for pain management, anxiety treatment, and opiate detoxification.

Pain Management

The body appears to release endorphins during acupuncture, which are its pain-killing chemicals. The needles also seem to activate the body’s natural healing process, reducing pain as it heals.

Anxiety

Acupuncture may also activate the part of the brain that regulates serotonin, which affects mood. This relaxing therapy slows down the nervous system to help reduce stress and promote overall wellness.

Opiate Detoxification

Acupuncture fits perfectly with your overall opiate detox treatment plan. It helps treat any underlying pain that led to opiate use in the first place and produces feel-good hormones naturally.
If you’re interested in trying acupuncture, contact New York Pain Medicine online or over the phone for an appointment.