Tag: acupuncture in St. James

Is Acupuncture Painful?

Is Acupuncture Painful?-Acupuncture in St. James

 

When people hear the word acupuncture, they usually think of needles in the skin. While this is true, acupuncture is never intended to be painful, and most patients who receive acupuncture say that they feel little to no pain. There are often sensations felt aside from pain that will indicate that the acupuncture is taking effect. If you are looking for acupuncture in St. James, or want to know more about acupuncture, contact Dr. Raymond Semente!

 

The Needles

The seemingly scariest part of acupuncture to outsiders is, of course, the needles! You may dislike pricking your finger on needles or getting shots at the doctor, but the needles used in acupuncture are very different from the ones used in those scenarios. The needles used in acupuncture are extremely thin, so much so that many patients don’t even feel them being inserted. For those who do feel something when the needle is inserted, the sensation does not resemble pain, but rather a feeling of heaviness or dullness. While sharp pain is rarely felt, sensations of mild or dull aches along with tingling usually indicate that the acupuncture is fulfilling its purpose. Yet, if you do experience sharp, severe pain during acupuncture, be sure to let your practitioner know right away. 

 

The Pain

As mentioned previously, there should be little to no discomfort when the needles are inserted, but pain may be present on some rare occasions. Keep in mind that it is vital to visit an experienced professional when receiving acupuncture because pain can arise if you choose to visit a practitioner with minimal experience. Simply inserting the needle too deeply or using too large of a needle can cause sharp pain. While needle manipulation is common in acupuncture and helps with the procedure, when done incorrectly, it can lead to some pain as well. A painful acupuncture experience can be avoided when you visit reliable, experienced acupuncturists like Dr. Raymond Semente and his team who perform acupuncture in St. James on Long Island. 

 

The Benefits

Acupuncture offers a wide range of benefits, especially to those suffering from pain. The practice has been used in ancient Chinese, Japanese, and Korean civilizations to relieve pain all over the body. Acupuncture can be used to treat a variety of ailments, such as migraines, back and neck pain, and menstrual cramps. The procedure can also help to relieve stress through stimulation of the nerves and tissues in the area in which the pain is present. Acupuncture is generally risk-free and is an excellent alternative to potentially addictive medications like pain relievers or opioids. 

 

Acupuncture in St. James

While acupuncture may seem intimidating to some, it is a great way to relieve your pain so you can continue doing the things you love! Here at Dr. Raymond Semente’s Chiropractic office, we have an excellent team of acupuncturists that are ready to help you feel your best. If you have any concerns about acupuncture, or if you are looking for acupuncture in St. James, contact us today!

Back Spasms and Acupuncture

Back Spasms and Acupuncture – Acupuncture in St. James

Muscle spasms or cramps can physiologically cause involuntary muscle contractions. Although these contractions can be very painful, in most cases they are non-life threatening. Despite this, a visit with your doctor is best to ensure long-term health.  According to the National Institutes of Health, most people will experience a muscle spasm during their lifetime. The common areas muscle spasms are experienced include the back, legs, hands, arms, abdomen, neck, and shoulders however it is possible to experience a muscle spasm at many points in the body. In particular, back spasms are very common. 

Although there are many remedies back spasms, acupuncture is becoming an increasingly popular and effective choice. The office of Dr. Raymond Semente offers acupuncture in St. James which can help you reduce back pain caused by muscle spasm.

Why Do Muscle Spasms Occur?

There are many causes of muscle cramps which include overuse, nutrition, stress, and anatomical irregularities. Some muscle spasms can be prevented by appropriate stretching before and after activities. Dehydration or low levels of potassium and calcium can also increase involuntary muscle contractions. 

How Does Acupuncture In St. James Work?

Acupuncture is the practice of inserting fine needles into the skin which helps to clear blockages leading to a variety of positive effects. Acupuncture practiced today, including acupuncture points and diagnostic techniques, remains comparable to antiquity. However, the needles used in modern practice are sterile, stainless steel and for reasons of single-use safety. 

At the office of Dr. Raymond Semente, we offer chiropractic and acupuncture to provide you with the best treatment options for your back spasms. Regardless of what specialized treatment plan is best, your medical professional will conduct a full physical examination and a question and answer session to ensure the best possible results.

One method of using acupuncture to treat back spasms is to stimulate muscle spasms in-office. This will allow our team to best diagnose and treat the area. From there, the acupuncturist may choose to strategically insert a needle into a specific acupuncture point which is called the “ashi” point. 

Is Acupuncture For Muscle Spasms Safe?

Acupuncture is considered safe with minimal risk when provided by a licensed professional. If you are seeking acupuncture in St. James, contact the office of Dr. Raymond Semente today!

Acupuncture for Anxiety

Acupuncture for Anxiety 

Imagine trying to talk to someone, but you get incredibly nervous to the point you feel light-headed, can’t find the words to speak, or experience a panic attack. That’s an example of anxiety. If left untreated, the constant worrying, and nervousness of anxiety can really consume a person’s life. Acupuncture has been shown to be a great treatment for someone trying to battle their anxiety symptoms. If you’re in need of acupuncture in St. James, call Dr. Semente.

What is Anxiety?

According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety is “characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes” (APA). These feelings typically result in anxiety disorders which may lead to overthinking, avoidance of the triggers of the condition, etc. Some anxiety disorders a person may experience are the following:

  • Social anxiety – occurs when someone avoids certain social situations due to fear of  being uncomfortable, judged, or attracting a lot of attention.
  • Panic disorder – occurs when someone has random panic attacks even though nothing seriously alarming has occurred.
  • Generalized anxiety disorder – occurs when a person experiences uncontrollable worry surrounding multiple different things for days on end. 

For more information regarding acupuncture in St. James’ services for anxiety, visit Dr. Semente’s website. 

How Acupuncture Reduces Anxiety

Originating from Chinese Culture, acupuncture is used to re-align a person’s Qi (energy that keeps the body mentally, emotionally, and physically healthy). Given how much we’re expected to do in our daily lives, it’s no shock that all of those actions have an effect on our well-being (Disrupting our Qi). The needles are positioned in locations that are close to the nerves. The point of placing them there is to prevent anxiety by relaxing the body and balancing out the person’s nervous system. Call Dr. Semente’s office to learn more about acupuncture in St James. 

What to Expect When Undergoing Acupuncture

Although the idea of putting needles in our body can be quite unsettling, most acupuncture is painless. In fact, the needles are round, not pointy, and are not designed to cause pain. If they do cause pain, the needle may be placed too deep, have too much pressure applied, or be of poor quality. When starting the process of acupuncture, the acupuncturist will ask you why you need the treatment. The purpose of asking is for the acupuncturist to provide the best care possible. Afterward, the acupuncturist will have you lay down and place the needles in the appropriate spot. Then all you have to do is lay there for about 30 minutes and let the needles do all the work. 

How can Dr. Semente Help me?

Dr. Semente and his staff are well experienced in helping patients receive the proper treatment suited for their health conditions. Let Dr. Semente help ease your anxiety, and book an acupuncture appointment today!

Acupuncture Treatment for Your Allergies

Acupuncture Treatment for Your Allergies

Have you been battling allergies? Well, acupuncture may be the right solution for you! The Chinese medical practice of acupuncture has been used for years to treat a wide range of health problems, including allergies. Not only does it help to immediately treat symptoms of allergies such as puffy eyes and sneezing, but it helps to promote less-pronounced symptoms in the months to come. If you have been suffering from seasonal allergies and are looking for some relief, contact Dr. Semente for the best acupuncture in St. James.

What are allergies?

Allergies are essentially an immune response to a foreign substance that is not typically dangerous to the human body. These foreign substances are commonly referred to as allergens. Allergens can be present in various foods, pet dander, plants, or pollen. Those who suffer from allergies means that their body is perceiving these foreign substances as harmful to the body. As a response, the immune system will kick into gear and attack the allergens. This will then cause various symptoms to occur.

What are the common signs and symptoms?

The signs and symptoms an individual may be experiencing are all relative to the type of allergy they have and the severity of it. Some of the most common signs and symptoms of seasonal allergies include:

  • Watery eyes
  • Itchy or burning eyes
  • Running nose
  • Coughing

 

How acupuncture can help treat them?

The effects acupuncture has on allergies has been tested in multiple different studies and the results have all been consistent. It has shown that it does, indeed, provide relief of allergy symptoms. Those who have taken to acupuncture for allergy relief have reported experiencing fewer symptoms such as coughing and sneezing post-treatment and even in the months following.

Acupuncture in St. James

If you are tired of dealing with your seasonal allergy symptoms and are looking for some relief, try out our acupuncture in St. James with Dr. Semente. Our well-qualified acupuncturist is experienced in treating patients with a wide range of health issues including allergies. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment and see for yourself how acupuncture can give you the relief you’ve been searching for.

Benefits of Acupuncture

Benefits of Acupuncture

 

Acupuncture is an effective treatment method that has many health benefits. Acupuncture involves inserting small needles into the skin to stimulate nerve pathways of the body. This procedure can relieve a variety of health conditions such as anxiety, depression, migraines, nausea, insomnia, and chronic pain. If you are suffering from one of these conditions, see how our acupuncture in St. James can help.

 

Anxiety/Depression

 

The placement of the acupuncture needles can determine the impact on the body’s nervous system. The needles cause the nervous system to produce natural painkilling chemicals like serotonin. Acupuncture can also positively stimulate the part of the brain that controls your emotions. This, in turn, can help to reduce anxiety and/or depression without the intake of drugs.

 

Chronic Pain and Migraines

 

It has been shown that chronic pain can be treated effectively with acupuncture. This chronic pain usually stems from neck pain, back pain, knee pain, and/or migraine pain.   One theory suggests that the acupuncture needles release positive neurotransmitters such as endorphins and serotonin. These positive neurotransmitters alter the way the brain receives pain.

Acupuncture can be a great alternative to those coping with chronic pain and to those who want to avoid surgery. If you suffer from common types of chronic pain, seek our acupuncture in St. James to relieve your discomfort.

 

Nausea

 

Acupuncture can be beneficial to those who suffer from nausea and vomiting. Nausea and vomiting can be caused by a variety of factors including migraines, allergies, pregnancy, and/or the effects of treatments for cancer such as chemotherapy. If you suffer from nausea due to one of these factors, acupuncture can help treat or prevent your symptoms. Each acupuncture treatment will differ based on each individual’s case. The needles are sometimes inserted into the lower arm and wrist area to relieve nausea.

 

Insomnia

 

Acupuncture has been shown to reduce the frequency of insomnia symptoms. This is achieved when acupuncture needles increase the production of a chemical that induces sleep, called nocturnal melatonin. Unlike most sleep medications, acupuncture comes with little to no side effects or risks.

If you are suffering from any of the listed conditions above, reach out to our office and try acupuncture in St. James today. We will help decide which treatment plan will benefit you and relieve your symptoms.