| Elizabeth Carpenter, M.S., L.Ac. 30 East 40th Street, Suite 903, New York, NY 10016 212.213.5785 |
"Acupuncture saved my dance career."
- Elizabeth Carpenter,
MS, L.Ac.
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"Acupuncture saved my dance career." - Elizabeth Carpenter, MS, L.Ac. |
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My Own StoryAlleviating pain and increasing mobility is a specialty of this practice. My keen interest in this area comes from my own experience. Simply stated, I tried acupuncture as a skeptic and came out a convert. With two weeks to go before surgery on my knees I tried a fellow [dance] company member's acupuncturist as a last resort. After two sessions I was back in rehearsal, having foregone surgery. Maintenance treatments kept me dancing at peak potential and recovering from injury swiftly and easily when the unavoidable did occur. I danced for another decade, retiring early to devote myself to this powerful healing practice. Since opening my doors in 1998 I have worked extensively with dancers and athletes to help heal on-the-job injuries and keep them performing and competing. What Kind of Pain Responds to This Approach?Injury, degenerative conditions, misalignment, chronic inflammation and general debility all typically respond. Through thorough evaluation, carefully listening to your story and experience, and dialoguing with you about it, we develop the best plan for handling your issue. That may be a single session, a combination of strategies, a series of treatments or, in complicated cases, a tiered approach. Your circumstance will dictate how we work together. The main treatment methods employed are described below. Methods and ToolsAcuLaser Therapy A safe, non-invasive, pain-free, highly effective and gentle option addressing acute and chronic pain, inflammation, wound care and tissue repair. The latest in technological advancements, AcuLaser Therapy harnesses the healing power of photons, which the body converts from light energy to biochemical energy to hasten the natural healing process. AcuLaser Therapy synergizes the healing capacities of both the acupuncture energy channel system and the cellular repair work of cold-laser therapeutics. In contrast to "hot laser" (surgery), cold laser stimulates mitochondria (the power house of the cells), increasing ATP which in turn increases DNA synthesis for cellular repair and regeneration leading to decreased pain, decreased inflammation, increased range of motion and increased soft tissue repair. Bowen Therapy: Bowen is a gentle yet effective hands-on therapy to adjust injured areas and their supporting structures (e.g. frozen shoulder, carpal tunnel, gron injuries, etc.). Bowen, like acupuncture, represents a subtle cuing system that calls on the brain to signal the injured area for repair and re-alignment. Bowen re-educates the body to shift itself into mechanical advantage. While the effects are often profound, the touch is always light, non-invasive, quiet and gentle. Read more about the Bowen Technique. Acupuncture: Dr. Tan's Balance Method for Instant Results is typically the first and only type of acupuncture needed to handle pain. Traditional Chinese acupuncture, Korean hand acupuncture, Japanese acupuncture and moxibustion, and 5 Element acupuncture may be used secondarily. Dr. Tan's method is typically the starting point because it often diminishes or eliminates pain within even the first few minutes of treatment. Dr. Tan's Balance Method is the type of acupuncture that saved my professional dance career. Read more about Dr. Tan's Balance method. Magnets: Musculoskeletal, myofascial and arthritic pain are among the many types of pain that often respond well to magnet therapy. Explanation for their effectiveness is varied. Some of the most prominent theories include re-arrangement of atoms under the magnet's footprint, increased local capillary blood flow (and therefore enhanced nutrition delivery to the affected area), refueling depleted charge on the tissue's cells, and shift in the acid-alkaline balance. Stretching and Remedial Exercise: Typically, information and recommendations around self-care are given to facilitate and maintain the shift away from pain and dysfunction and to prevent its recurrence. These may be traditional physical therapy-type exercises, yoga asanas, Bowen or Qi Gong exercises, or passive relaxation strategies such as ball therapy. All remedial work is taught in-office and dispensed with take-home instructions. Breathing and Visualization: In healing from pain of any type, it is important to promote good circulation and facilitate oxygenation of the tissues. Science shows that we have the ability to effect change in these important areas by bringing our attention and breath into conscious focus. Experience shows that when we stop fighting and resenting our pain and instead get curious about it, things begin to change toward the positive. This work may be incorporated into the treatment session and/or may be taught as part of the self-care take-home plan. Diet: Particularly in chronic pain syndromes, the biochemistry of the body plays a role in the sustained pain experience. Often adjustments in food and drink together with added nutritional support can play a significant role in moving and staying out of a pain pattern. Herbs and Supplements: When the patient chooses to engage this option, these additions to treatment can expedite healing tremendously. Both oral and topical natural anti-inflammatory and analgesic herbs may be considered, as well as other natural remedies appropriate to the history and presentation of the individual. Please refer to the FAQ section of the website for discussion and further reading on herbal medicine and herb safety. Extensive Experience and Positive Results with These Pain Issues:
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