Acupuncture in Athens, Ohio and surrounding areas at Inhale Wellness Studio:
Help for Back Pain, Neck Pain and Sports Injuries
If you live in Southeast Ohio, you probably know someone who works with their body: a builder, a nurse, a farmer, a runner, a paddler, a student carrying a heavy backpack up and down Court Street. You also probably know someone who has been told to rest it, ice it, and take ibuprofen, and who is still hurting months later.
If that sounds familiar, acupuncture may be worth a look. At Inhale Wellness Studio in Athens, I use acupuncture alongside hands-on techniques to help people manage pain, move better and get back to what they enjoy. If you've tried everything else, but not acupuncture, give me a call.
What is acupuncture, in plain language?
Acupuncture uses very thin, sterile, single-use needles placed at specific points on the body. Most people are surprised by how gentle it feels. Many describe a mild ache, warmth or heaviness, and a lot of people relax enough to doze during treatment.
What can acupuncture help with?
Research is strongest for musculoskeletal pain and certain headache conditions. Reviews and clinical guidelines support acupuncture as an option for:
Chronic low back pain
Neck and shoulder pain
Knee osteoarthritis
Tension-type headaches and migraine prevention
Nausea related to chemotherapy or surgery
People also visit for stress, sleep trouble and general wellbeing. While I have a lot of success in my clinic helping people with these, the scientific body of evidence with regard to this is more mixed, and I will always tell you honestly what to expect. Acupuncture works well alongside, not instead of, care from your doctor or physical therapist. I love being part of a care team. We all have something useful to bring you to optimal health and no one provider is better than another.
Sports and orthopedic acupuncture
If you are active, whether you run, lift, play rec-league sports, hike, or spend summers on the Ohio River paddling, your tissues take a lot of repetitive load. Sports and orthopedic acupuncture focuses on the muscles, tendons and joints involved in your specific complaint, such as:
Tight, painful shoulders and rotator cuff irritation
Tennis and golfer's elbow
Hip, IT band and hamstring tightness
Runner's knee and shin pain
Low back strain from lifting or long hours sitting or standing
Sciatica-type leg pain
Electro-acupuncture and motor-point technique
Electro-acupuncture connects a gentle electrical current to the needles. The sensation is a mild tapping or buzzing, and the current is adjusted to your comfort. Electrical stimulation is often used for stubborn muscle tension and chronic pain.
Motor-point technique targets the specific points where a muscle is most responsive, which can help a tight or guarded muscle release. These type of acupuncture sessions are more nuanced and typically require skilled assessment, as well as acupuncture and electrical stimulation.
Cupping
Cupping uses suction on the skin over tight muscles to encourage circulation and ease tension. It can leave temporary round marks that fade in several days. They are not bruises from injury, and they are not painful. Cupping is often paired with acupuncture for neck, shoulder and back tightness. My patients love cupping and the lasting effects they get for pain and muscle tension when combined with acupuncture.
Ready to feel better?
If you are in Athens or within about an hour's drive and you are tired of working around your pain, I would love to help. Give me a call at 740.350.5654 to set up a free 15-20 minute phone consult. If I can help you, we will set up several appointments during that call and get you on the path to feeling better. Please note, it often takes 4-6 weeks to get worked into my calendar. I cannot often accommodate same day or week appointments. Inhale Wellness Studio is located at 94 Columbus Road, Building A, Athens, Ohio. This is inside the Athens Wellness Coop just through the red door.
Michelle Stobart, L.Ac., is a licensed acupuncturist and certified yoga therapist in Athens, Ohio. Her clinical focus includes electro-acupuncture, orthopedic and sports acupuncture, motor-point technique, cupping and pain management.
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