Thomas works with musculoskeletal complaints by checking structure and function, finding tender areas, shortened muscles and other indications over and around the problem area. These active acupoint areas may be trigger points, motor points (the area major nerves enter a muscle), classical acupoints or simply areas where the nervous system responds in an optimal way to needle stimulus. All these areas feature especially rich nerve supply.
They are stimulated with very fine, single use acupuncture needles thereby reducing neuromuscular hypersensitivity, releasing muscle shortening, promoting anti-inflammatory factors and improving circulation of blood, nutrients and hormone-like substances to stressed tissues. He uses the very best Japanese needles adjusting the fineness to each client’s sensitivity.
In addition to treating locally Thomas frequently also places acupuncture needles in the skin alongside those areas of the spine where major nerves pass from the central nervous system to the problem area (paraspinal acupoints). This procedure may have a stronger effect in desensitizing spinal nerves and balancing the autonomic nervous system, especially important in treatment of chronic pain. Paraspinal acupoints also release tightened muscles freeing up vertebrae and improving nerve conduction between the spine and the rest of the body also improving internal and peripheral symptoms.
For internal health problems the above acupoints along the back are especially effective and the segment or area where the major nerves pass between the spine and deeper organs and areas of the body are stimulated via the skin, thus improving internal organ function.
In addition to the above local and spinal area acupoints he will often use acupoints on the limbs (distal acupoints). These are usually some of the major classical acupoints of Chinese Medicine found by modern research to have excellent non-specific and generalized healing effects.
Treatments are individualized based on the clinical findings and history of each patient. Much of the first treatment acupoint combination will be repeated enough times to stabilize healing, however some modification may be made each session dependant on symptom pattern changes that may occur over the course of time.
The number of treatments needed depends upon the healability of the problem being treated and the over-all health of the patient. For example a young healthy person with a muscle strain may only require 2 treatments to permanently resolve the injury, greatly shortening the natural healing process. A person of moderately good health who has had for example, knee pain for several months may need 4 to 8 treatments. Someone with multiple health issues or chronic illness may need up to 12 or more treatments followed by maintenance treatments every few months
Thomas can usually indicate the expected number of treatments needed in the first visit.
In most cases the healing effects of acupuncture becomes apparent between the 3rd and 5th treatments if not earlier.
In severe or stubborn cases acupuncture can be very helpful when applied every 2 or 3 weeks on an ongoing basis. In such cases medication may be able to be reduced with your doctor’s over-site and day-to-day functioning greatly improved.
In addition Thomas frequently prescribes therapeutic exercises, gives mind-body and dietary tips and where appropriate, herbal medicines and supplements.