by Dr. Mary Gagliardi, LAc, DACM

WHAT IS MICRONEEDLING?

Relying on the reparative cellular process of your own body, microneedling, also called Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT), is a new natural treatment option to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, acne scaring, hypo or hyper pigmentation–resulting in younger, more radiant looking skin. Microneedling subtly diminishes the signs of aging for a more natural youthful appearance—in a way that does not to produce the look brought by of chemical fillers and injections. Individual results depend on age, skin condition, environment, lifestyle, and more. Several systematic research reviews have found microneedling to be a safe and effective therapeutic treatment for scars, acne, melasma, and for skin rejuvenation.

WHAT TO EXPECT? 

The procedure usually takes about 30-40 minutes depending on the size of the area being treated. Patients will receive acupuncture to help relax the body and minimize any potential pain during the microneedling session. Individual pain tolerance varies greatly: however, pain levels can be managed with different depth settings on the microneedling instrument. It is important to communicate your pain tolerance to your practitioner to have the most pleasant experience. Your comfort matters. If you find microneedling too painful, nanoneedling (a similar device without needles) can be used as an alternative. 

Before the microneedling starts, a thin layer of hyaluronic acid will be applied to the skin. The instrument will be gently pressed against the skin while gliding in a crosshatch motion until the entire treatment area has been covered (the face, into the hairline, and the neck). Finally, a cooling aloe-vera mask is applied to the face and the patient relaxes for 10 minutes before the treatment is complete. Immediately after treatment, most patients notice a bright redness to the skin, some compare it to the look of a mild sunburn. Healing time depends on individual sensitivity to the treatment, but redness typically subsides in 8-12 hours. Patients are advised to use sunscreen following treatment. To achieve optimal results, 4-6 sessions spaced three weeks apart is recommended. Visible changes develop over the course of several days and weeks as the natural healing process plumps and evens the skin, giving an effortless youthful glow. Results can last anywhere from 1-2 years. Treatment outcomes can be improved by bi-yearly maintenance microneedling sessions.

MICRONEEDLING FEE SCHEDULE AT PHILA MIND-BODY ACUPUNCTURE:

Initial Session: $185 (without follow up)

Package of 4 Treatments: $700 ($175 per session)

After Completing the Package, Follow-up Sessions: $175 

WHO SHOULD TRY IT?

Anyone who is interested in a holistic alternative to the more invasive skin care treatments on the market. Microneedling is an excellent natural remedy for acne scars and small wrinkles, while evening skin tone, texture, and pigmentation. For patients that want more facial lifting and sculpting, or who want to address deeper facial lines, a facial rejuvenation series with acupuncture needles is recommended. Inquire with your practitioner for a customized plan.

Microneedling is NOT suitable for those dealing with:

• Active acne 
• Pregnancy — (can use nano-needling)
• Moderate to severe chronic skin disease such as eczema and psoriasis 
• Blood disorders, or patients on anticoagulant therapy 
• Extreme keloidal tendency 
• Patients undergoing chemo radiation therapy

** Please tell your practitioner if you have any of the above conditions.

SCHEDULE:    To book your initial Microneedling session: www.acuforus.com

Trigger Point Acupuncture (aka ‘Dry Needling’) has gained traction in recent years in the US, becoming a more commonly-used acupuncture-based mechanism to relieve myo-fascial pain.  In Trigger Point Acupuncture (aka ‘Dry Needling’), hair-thin acupuncture needles are inserted into the body in areas where muscle tissue and fascia have become painful, knotted or compromised in some way.

Dry Needling, however,  is far from new.  For thousands of years, what is now known as ‘Dry Needling’ has been known in China as ‘Ashi’ or ‘Ashixue’ (阿是穴) acupuncture.  ‘Ashi’ style acupuncture has been but one simple technique within the multifaceted- and more complex- system of acupuncture.

What IS new about ‘Dry Needling’, however, is that modern science has begun to unravel the scientific basis behind how this type of acupuncture works.  Chinese Medicine Physicians- who had been performing this technique for millennia- could not have known on a chemical or molecular level how their practice of Ashi acupuncture was working.  Theories behind it’s efficacy were explained via Chinese Medicine diagnostic terms.

What we know today about how myo-fascial trigger points develop and how they are relieved through the use of acupuncture is largely based on the work of Janet Travell and David Simons.  There are many layers of explanation involved in illuminating the pathogenesis and alleviation of Trigger Points.  The following is a short summary of the basics.

Put simply, Trigger Points are constant/consistent sources of pain in specific areas of muscle and fascial tissue where tight bands of contracted or knotted tissue are found.  Normal muscle tissue is free of ‘contraction knots’ within the muscle fibers.  When these ‘contraction knots’ occur, the brain receives pain signals resulting in a somatic awareness of specific areas of physical pain.  There are two types of trigger points:  active and latent.  Both types can cause range of motion issues, muscle dysfunction or weakness.

According to Dommerholt’s research* found in the Journal of Manual Manipulation Therapy, “Dry needling can not only reverse some aspects of central sensitization, it reduces local and referred pain, improves range of motion and muscle activation pattern, and alters the chemical environment of trigger points.”

Another scientific journal** lists some of the common pain conditions that have been associated with myo-fascial trigger points.   These include:  migraines, tension type headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, disk pathology, radiculopathies, tendonitis, craniomandibular dysfunction, joint dysfunction, spinal dysfunction, computer-related disorders, whiplash-associated disorders, pelvic pain and other urologic syndromes, complex regional pain syndrome and post-herpetic neuralgia.

A comprehensive understanding of the scientific details behind the pathogenesis and alleviation of myo-fascial Trigger Points would require a much larger platform than a blog post like this can accommodate.  However, I hope that all of you have at least learned some of the basics regarding this very effective form of treatment for the numerous pain conditions that can be relieved through Trigger Point Acupuncture (aka ‘Dry Needling’).

A final note:  Since acupuncturists receive several years of acupuncture-specific training, they are very well-equipped to perform this type of technique.  However, not all acupuncturists perform Trigger Point acupuncture within their own practice, so it is best to inquire ahead of time when looking for an acupuncturist in your area.

May you all be healthy, happy and full of vitality!

Sources:

*https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3201653/

**https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4508225/

Mind-Body Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine is kicking off a new video blog series called, “Two Minutes to Better Health”.   In this first video blog in the series, Dr Aaron tells the story of his first acupuncture treatment 23 years ago and how it changed the course of his life, leading to over 5 years in Asia and a career in holistic medicine.

Interested in learning more about holistic medicine, acupuncture and the world of natural health?

If so, please subscribe to Mind-Body’s YouTube channel, by clicking the “Subscribe” button located above the video.

May you all be healthy, happy and full of vitality!

To watch the video, please click on the following link:

Two Minutes to Better Health: Mind-Body Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine

In this episode of Two Minutes to Better Health, Dr Aaron Cashman (Acupuncturist/Herbalist) takes us on a journey around the world to catch a glimpse of how some medical systems in other countries offer choice- for all- in health care decisions. 

Interested in learning more about holistic medicine, acupuncture and the world of natural health?

If so, please subscribe to Mind-Body’s YouTube channel, by clicking the “Subscribe” button located above the video.

May you all be healthy, happy and full of vitality!

To watch the video on YouTube, please click on the following link: