Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Introduction
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is characterized by an increasing number of people, who pursue health and well-being. There are five major categories of CAM, with acupuncture being one of them. Acupuncture is broadly known as a non-traditional treatment option for neck and backache. Despite the fact that acupuncture frequently appears to be a second or supplementary treatment for the majority of neck or back issues, a raising quantity of patients, physicians, and other health professionals make this option being one of the most essential for reduction of neck and back pain. The current paper provides a review of visiting a CAM practitioner, one of the leading acupuncturist in the U.S., as a patient.
Background
Acupuncture is one of the branches of the Chinese medicine originated approximately 2,500 years ago (Lee et al., 2013). The general prerequisite of acupuncture is that a human body incorporates specific models and patterns of energy stream (Lee, 2013). In fact, an appropriate stream of vital energy is regarded as necessary for the health sustainment (Liu, Skinner, McDonough, Taylor & Baxter, 2016). The acupuncture theory reveals that a human body has more than 2,000 points connected with twenty pathways, known as meridians, and they help in conducting the vital energy throughout the body (Lee et al., 2013). Therefore, in the practice of acupuncture, one inserts hair-thin metallic needles into the peculiar points of connections and crossings of various energy streams, assisting in correcting and/or maintaining a normal flow of a body’s vital energy (Lee, 2013).
In an attempt to relieve the lower back pain, I have decided to address an acupuncturist Dr. Steven Allan Chasen, as he operates in the leading clinic in South Florida. An Internet research and consultations with CAM practitioners and patients in Miami demonstrated that the best option stands for Dr. Steven Chasen and his team in Coral Gables. I have found that he is the best for dealing with such issues in the selected area and broadly acknowledged to be the best and the brightest professional in herbal medicine and acupuncture in both the Miami and surrounding areas.
Description of the Office
Dr. Chasen’s office is situated in Miami, 2645 Douglas Road, suite 501. The first impressions of walking into the office vindicated that my choice of the place and the doctor was perfect. First, the office meets clients and patients with soft spa/relaxation music in a form of nature sounds and hot tea or water in the waiting room helping to relax even during a short waiting. Secondly, numerous minor details accurately demonstrate that the office has been designed directly for the modern practice of the traditional Chinese medicine. In particular, it has a stand with a large and well-supplied assortment of herbal pharmacy at the front desk and a small statue of the Chinese practitioner, numerous thematic pictures, and photos in the waiting room.
Five huge, well-lighted treatment rooms in the office have alternating and changeable natural lighting. They seem to be created for an effective and efficient allocation of every kind and type of patient’s needs and requirements. The atmosphere and office arrangements vividly demonstrate that its personnel dedicated numerous hours to the creation of such an environment, warmly welcoming each client and patient. The office feels and looks similar to the traditional doctor’s office, with minor discrepancies in details, but being less clinical and cold. Each member of personnel acts and behaves cordially, revealing an intention to assist with all possible problems, as opposed to traditional offices, which frequently give impressions that patients might interrupt their work while asking for assistance. This office stands for the industry leader in holistic healing, having the major objective of bringing the professional Chinese medicine to the community via an individualized attention and profound clinical expertise.
Dr. Steven Allan Chasen is licensed medical practitioner; the license number is AP785 NCCAOM. His office proposes, in general, expert personnel from the board certified acupuncture physicians, who appear to be among the most sought-after and the best professionals in South Florida. Their licensed experiences incorporate structural bodywork and massage, Chinese herbal medicine, auricular therapy, color therapy, etc., with each professional providing a treatment to the peculiar requirements and needs of each client and patient.
Credentials
Steve Chasen is the one who established the clinic Coral Gables Acupuncture in 1996. He studied the field and obtained the experience in Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, located in a well-known Sichuan province in China. In addition, he was certified by the U.S. National Certification Commission for Oriental Medicine and Acupuncture in 1996. Moreover, the facts also demonstrate that he has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami and a master’s degree from Nova Southeastern University.
Lower Back Pain as the Main Ailment
The main reason for addressing the doctor was my lower back pain, appearing through the muscle spasms. Because of my work as a nurse, I suffered from the occupational lower back pain radiating to the upper part of the body on a regular basis. It distressed me and I became even more exhausted, having troubles with concentrating on work, constantly rubbing my lower back.
The facts and statistics demonstrate that approximately eight out of ten people in the U.S. suffer from the lower back pain at some point during their life, while more than 50 percent of nurses are affected by it influencing their working conduct (Lee, 2013). In fact, back pain stands for one of the major reasons why people search for the medical treatment. In addition, this ache is the number one cause why people address acupuncture (Lee et al., 2013). The major part of research papers demonstrate that chronic lower back pain appears to be one of the several conditions for which acupuncture can be viewed as an effective and efficient instrument of medication and treatment (Legge, 2015; Liu et al., 2016; Vickers et al., 2012; Yuan et al., 2013). In addition, there is obviously a solid and considerable quantity of evidence for the usage of acupuncture in the medication of a lower back pain, especially a chronic one, meaning the one, which lasts for more than three months (Lee et al., 2013). Therefore, acupuncture comprehends and realizes numerous ways of the perfect integrative medication, due to the fact that it gathered reasonable, effective and rational methods from both an inner-discipline perspective and conventional medical outlook (Lee, 2013). Acupuncture for low back pain apparently applies needles insertion into the body (Yuan et al., 2013).
After analyzing my case and pain, the practitioner decided that needles should be placed to both lumbosacral and peripheral spine points. As I suffered from the occupational acute pain, which might transform into a chronic one, the major principle stood for the invigoration of the vital energy through the removal of stagnation and unblocking the channels in order to stop the existing pain. This was the main reason why the higher focus was dedicated to the usage of distal points with sold stimulation instead of local points. The practitioner explained that these actions helped in promoting the circulation of energy and blood, and, at the same time, they were operating in a form of a natural painkiller.
The acupuncture session lasted for 30 minutes. Prior to the actual séance of acupuncture, the physician dedicated some time to physical examinations and an analysis of my current health history. This allowed the provision of necessary recommendations for an appropriate treatment plan, which assisted in addressing my individual condition. The whole session required laying on the treatment table, face down, during the stimulation of precise out points on discrepant areas of the body, mainly located close to the lower back area. I felt that the majority of needles were placed close to the inner and outer bladder lines, at the middle of the waist, and between the vertebrae at the waistline. However, it was a bit strange that the practitioner also placed some needles close to the Achilles’ tendon and in the middle of the crease in the back of knee on both legs. During the whole procedure, the prevailing feeling stood for relaxation with no serious discomfort or pain, because the needles were placed gently. As it had been mentioned previously, all the needles have been retained after approximately thirty minutes.
Recommendations
The practitioner recommended eight visits in total for the long-lasting and appropriate relief of the acute pain. In addition, it has been recommended to add regular exercises, which might incorporate healing gymnastics, yoga or Pilates, and massages for a sustainable result, especially when my lifestyle requires long hours of sitting while working or studying. The practitioner insisted on maintaining good posture while sitting, lying down, lifting or exercising, because it is the best method of preventing the existing back issues. Moreover, exercises, incorporating inner muscle strength training and stretching would be helpful in making back stronger, which would in turn help in relieving minor lower backache.
In addition, the practitioner recommended using Chinese herbal medicine for dealing with the problem. Due to the fact that the herbal medicine assigning required additional acupuncture sessions, the practitioner only mentioned possible formulas for dealing with the problem. Thus, it had been mentioned that the most beneficial formula for long-range usage would concern the herbs with both blood motion and restoration properties, especially Dipsacus (also known as Xu Duan) (Vickers et al., 2012). This herb is utilized mostly for dealing with painful lower back, stiffness, and minor weakness of the lower body (Lee, 2013). In addition, it helps in enhancing the overall blood circulation and lowers the existing pain. The physician explained that it might be combined with Eucommia (also known as Du Zhong), due to the fact that this herb was traditionally utilized for treating the backache (Liu et al., 2015).
After the deep analysis of the doctor’s recommendations, I understood that I would follow the majority of them, especially concerning the body position, massages, and regular exercises. The initial relief after the first session led to a suggestion that it might be useful to continue this type of treatment, as it not only dealt with my major reason for addressing this type of medicine but also enhanced the overall physical and emotional state. Nevertheless, I have some doubts regarding the Chinese herbal medicine treatment, and I will probably avoid this, choosing and adhering to the traditional medicine and treatment to medicate an existing problem.
Results
The first session brought solid and dramatic enhancements and a practically complete relief with the lower back pain. In addition, apart from dealing with the main problem, concerning the lower back pain, it helped in enhancing my digestion, sleeping pattern and even emotional well-being. Therefore, usage of this non-traditional treatment option appeared to me as beneficial and helpful in dealing with the current problem. Therefore, the treatment assisted with the existent inflammation and pain.
Conclusion
The current paper provides a review of visiting a CAM practitioner for dealing with the lower back pain. An analysis reveals that in general, this experience was positive and assisted in relieving the acute pain. The licensed, experienced and leading practitioner has been selected for dealing with the health problem, guaranteeing the best results, and showing an understanding and knowledge of acupuncture principles. The results demonstrate that this treatment option can be easily selected for dealing with the lower back pain, leading to its reduction as well as to the health and overall state enhancement.