Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been used as a health care modality for over 3,000 years. It is a non-invasive, drug-free approach to re-establishing balance in the body through promoting circulation and relaxing muscles.
Although the thought of needles invokes fear in some, the procedure is relatively painless and highly relaxing. Only factory sterilized, single use needles are utilized. The needles are flexible and about as thin as a human hair. Believe it or not, but many patients actually fall asleep on the table while the needles are in.
Acupuncture is an extremely effective treatment for not only pain, but a wide variety of health conditions and concerns. Allow our licensed, board certified acupuncturists to help you feel better and allow you to live your life to the fullest.
Meet the Therapists
Michah Stephens L.Ac., M.S.O.M.
Michah Stephens was born and raised in Littleton, Colorado. He received his massage training from the Colorado School of Healing Arts in 1999 and worked for a large chiropractic clinic in Englewood before going back to school to get his Masters degree in Oriental Medicine. Michah gradated from Southwest Acupuncture College in 2003 and has received extensive training in motor point acupuncture with Matt Callison. Michah has been with Scott Family Health since 2003. His caring nature and vast knowledge of acupuncture ensures success to anyone who seeks his services.
Ashley Johnson L.Ac., M.S.O.M.Ashley Johnson was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Before diving into the world of Chinese Medicine, she earned her B.A. in Psychology from Drew University and worked several years with autistic children and adults with developmental disabilities. Ashley joined Scott Family Health in March of 2009. However, prior to joining our clinic, she maintained her own private practice in Longmont, which she started shortly after graduating with a Masters degree from Southwest Acupuncture College in 2005. Ashley has also received extensive training in motor point acupuncture with Matt Callison. In addition to treating chronic pain and injuries, Ashley enjoys working with digestive complaints, women’s issues, and Chinese herbal formulas. Her interests include cooking, reading, being outside, and traveling. She is married to Thad Johnson, and enjoys being an excellent mom to their sons Jaden and Phoenix.
Techniques
Moxa
Moxa is an herb that is used in Chinese Medicine in order to promote circulation, blood flow, and increase energy levels. Commonly known as mugwort, the herb is picked, dried, and ground up into a fluff. Sometimes a small amount of the herb is actually placed on top of the needles and burned. Although this may sound scary, most people only feel a slight warming sensation.
Cupping
Cupping is a method that falls under the umbrella of Chinese Medicine and is an effective means of increasing blood flow and circulation. Glass cups are applied to the skin and suctioned to create a vacuum effect. The cups are either left in place or moved over the body. Cupping is often used to promote circulation when treating pain, or in cases of bronchitis and coughing, can be done over the upper back.
Treating Spinal Disc Pain
Our acupuncturists are trained and experienced in treating a wide variety of spinal and disc disorders. Whether you’ve been diagnosed with an annular tear, a disc protrusion, or sciatica, acupuncture can help alleviate your pain and get you on the road to recovery. Our acupuncturists work together with our doctors in order to arrive at an accurate diagnosis and select the best treatment based on your individual needs.
What is motor point acupuncture?
Whether an injury is old or new, acute or chronic, or from daily life activities, motor point therapy can help to restore muscle balance, so you can get back to doing what you love. When a muscle is sore or over- strained, there are often tight, palpable knots within it. These points can refer to other areas of the body and are called motor points. A motor point is a distinct spot that has the greatest concentration of nerve endings. It is at this precise spot where the nerves enter the belly of the muscle, and when stimulated, can elicit a muscular response. Once the acupuncture needle is inserted, the muscle will often twitch or fasciculate in response to the nerves firing. These techniques focus on proprioception, or the muscles’ awareness communicating to the central nervous system. Any injury can upset this communication and acupuncture to the motor point seems to “reset” the dysfunctional muscle. This system was developed by Matt Callison, L.Ac., and all of our acupuncturists have received extensive training with him.
What does motor point acupuncture treat?
Motor point acupuncture greatly benefits a wide range of musculo-skeletal issues. Some commonly treated conditions include:
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Who benefits from motor point acupuncture?
Anyone who is suffering with muscular tension, strain, or pain will benefit from motor point acupuncture. This style of acupuncture is exceptionally popular with athletes who are actively training for events or needing a quick recovery from an acute injury. Many Olympic athletes are now using motor point acupuncture in their training. In addition, it also serves as an excellent therapy for those individuals struggling with chronic overuse and repetitive motion injuries. Many professional sports teams rely on motor point acupuncture to keep their top players in shape and on the field. In fact, players from both the Colorado Eagles and the Colorado Ice use our acupuncturists to help keep them in top form both on and off-season.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is one of the oldest health care modalities in the world. Originating in China more than 3,000 years ago, acupuncture involves the placement of tiny, sterile needles into specific points on the body. There are over 450 acupuncture points from head to toe, and your acupuncturist will decide which unique point combination is best for you based on your current symptoms and health history.
2. What does acupuncture feel like?
Everyone experiences acupuncture differently, but most people feel little to no pain when the needles are inserted. If there is any discomfort when the needle is inserted, this usually subsides within a few seconds. The most common sensation felt during acupuncture is a generalized heaviness in the body, or a sense of deep pressure in the muscles. Some individuals feel energized after a treatment, but the majority of people feel relaxed. Some people even fall asleep while resting on the table.
3. What is a treatment like?
After taking a health history and discussing the issues you would like to focus on, the acupuncturist will carefully select acupuncture points that are best suited for your unique condition. You may be asked to lie either on your back or on your belly, and your acupuncturist will instruct you on how far down to undress. Once the acupuncture points are inserted and you verify that you are feeling okay, the acupuncturist will step out of the room to allow you time to rest and relax. Although each acupuncture treatment is different as far as how many needles are used and how long one lies on the table, generally you will be relaxing for up to 30 minutes.
4. What should I expect?
Acupuncture tends to have a cumulative effect on the body, and most often an initial series of 3-6 acupuncture treatments is recommended. There are some individuals who experience tremendous relief after the first acupuncture visit, but it is generally stressed to allow at least 3 treatments before you throw in the towel. As mentioned, the majority of acupuncture patients feel relaxed and heavy on the table, and this feeling can carry over after the treatment is complete. It’s always a good idea to have eaten prior to your acupuncture session, and to let your acupuncturist know if you experience any dizziness or nausea. Occasionally some people experience muscle soreness around the needle insertion sites the day after acupuncture, but the majority of patients feel great after an acupuncture session.
5. What does acupuncture treat?
Our acupuncturists treat a wide range of health concerns. Whether your problem is new or long-standing, chances are that acupuncture can help you. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes that acupuncture is effective in treating:
| * Ankle pain | * Carpal tunnel | * Depression |
| * Headaches | * Hip pain | * Insomnia |
| * Anxiety | * Digestive troubles | * Elbow pain |
| * Knee pain | * Low back pain | * Morning sickness |
| * Nausea | * Bronchitis | * Fatigue |
| * Fertility | * Sciatica | * Menstrual & Menopausal complaints |
| * Stress | * Shoulder pain |
6. I’ve heard a little bit about Chinese herbal formulas. Do you sell these?
Yes. Chinese herbal formulas are a blend of anywhere from 4-16 different all natural herbs that work to re-establish balance from the inside out. The herbs range from roots and leaves to seeds and tree barks. Chinese herbal formulas address many health conditions, but a few of the most common ones are: chronic pain, digestive issues, and menopausal complaints. These formulas will give your acupuncture treatment an added boost and are a great, inexpensive way to get you on the path to feeling better more quickly.
7. Will acupuncture be covered by my personal health insurance?
In most cases, acupuncture is not covered under personal health insurance. There are a few plans that do cover acupuncture. However, you should double check with your insurer before you start treatment to see whether acupuncture will be covered and to what extent. (Medicare does not cover acupuncture, and we are not contracted with Blue Cross Blue Shield for acupuncture).
8. I was in an auto accident. Does MedPay cover acupuncture?
Colorado’s auto injury laws have recently changed. Since January 1, 2009, any new or re-newed auto policy must include a minimum of $5000.00 Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay). This means that each person in your car will immediately have $5000.00 available to seek medical treatment from the bodily injury sustained in the accident. However, you have the right to opt out of MedPay coverage and the premium associated with it. As long as you have MedPay on your policy, you can use it to pay for acupuncture services.
9. I was injured on the job. Does worker’s comp cover acupuncture?
Worker’s Compensation will cover acupuncture services if it is authorized by your worker’s compensation doctor. The worker’s compensation doctor must write out a referral for a specific number of acupuncture visits and must get the visits authorized by the insurance company. Once this is in place, we can bill worker’s comp for your visits.