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Traditional Chinese Medicine

Natural Pain Relief Solutions for Sciatica

Sciatica is a general term for pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve, which is in the lower back. It is a common condition affecting roughly 3 million people annually.

Typical causes for sciatica are a herniated disc, bone spurs or even a tumor. These conditions press on the nerve, causing pain that radiates down the hips, buttocks, lower back, and/or the back of one or both legs. It is more common for sciatica to affect just one leg, and the pain may extend all the way to the foot.

In addition to pain, sciatica can cause numbness, tingling, weakness, or even a burning sensation in the affected area. It is not uncommon for individuals suffering from sciatica to catch their foot on the ground when walking.

Treatment Modalities

Sciatica is a treatable condition. Treatments for sciatica pain relief include massage, acupuncture, and herbal therapy. Holistic Alternatives can provide all of these forms of therapy and can tailor a plan using any combination of the three to address your pain.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture can be a highly effective treatment for sciatica, addressing pain and symptoms without drugs or surgery. Scientific studies have shown that acupuncture has a total effective rate of over 80% in treating sciatica when used alone, a rate that increases when used in combination with herbal medicine. Acupuncture can address sciatica pain by lowering the levels of certain biochemicals in the body, reducing pain and inflammation. Benefits have been observed from treatments using both traditional acupuncture and electroacupuncture.

Acupuncture can have both immediate and long-lasting impacts on sciatica pain. In addition to reducing inflammation, acupuncture causes the body to release natural opioids, reducing the intensity of sciatica pain. Further, acupuncture has been shown to aid in the repair of nerve damage. Indeed, at least one meta-analysis of numerous studies of sciatica treatments has shown that acupuncture is more effective than medication in treating sciatica.

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy can be an effective means of reducing the pain of sciatica, with studies suggesting that massage can be more effective than non-steroidal anti-inflammatories in treating sciatica pain.

Massage can reduce muscle tension and lead to the release of natural endorphins, both leading to diminished pain. Massage therapy also improves blood circulation and reduces stress, further contributing to diminished pain and improving the body’s natural healing abilities.

Herbal Medicine

Herbal therapies have been used for thousands of years to treat sciatica pain as a part of traditional Chinese medicine. Herbal therapies have particularly measurable benefits in reducing pain from sciatica when combined with acupuncture. Studies have shown that a combination of acupuncture and herbal remedies can have a total effective rate of 95% in treating sciatica pain.

Qualified in all the above forms of therapy, Holistic Alternatives can offer a drug free, non-surgical means to sciatica pain relief.

Robert Lutz - Acupuncturist & Massage Therapist Long Island NYRobert Lutz
L.Ac., LMT, Diplomate of Oriental Medicine

Contact Robert to schedule an appointment:
Texts welcome (727) 266-3000.

TCM practitioner for over 20 yrs:

“I offer alternatives to harsh drugs & invasive procedures when practical & safe to do so. I believe in supporting the healing qualities & wisdom of your body. Clients receive quality care with uninterrupted attention for 60 minutes or longer per session.”

Holistic Alternatives’ new (additional) location in Sayville, NY

In addition to our primary space in Palm Harbor, FL, we have added a second location in Sayville, NY for your added convenience.

Holistic Alternatives’ new (additional) location is:

275 West Main Street Sayville, NY 11782

Holistic Alternatives is “At Your Service”

When booking a session at our natural pain and stress relief centers, you receive much greater value compared to other massage-only places that give you a 50 minute massage with no other added modalities (unless paying extra for them).

At Holistic Alternatives, you receive the added value of experiencing all modalities during your session, at your discretion.

This can include: Therapeutic Massage (while laying on an Amethyst Biomat), Acupuncture, Cupping, Reiki, Nutrition and more. All of this combined can give you the most optimal and effective pain and/or stress relief.

New Sayville location deals:

30 minutes for $60
60 minutes for $90

Treating now in both Palm Harbor & Sayville locations!

380 Park Avenue Palm Harbor, FL 11743
275 West Main Street Sayville, NY 11782

Available appointment hours:

(Closed Sundays both locations)

Sayville:

Wednesday 8am – 8pm
Friday 8am – 3pm

Palm Harbor:

Monday, Tuesday & Thurs 8am – 8pm
Saturday 8am – 3pm

Contact Robert Lutz to schedule an appointment:

Texts welcome: (727) 266-3000
robert@holistic-alternatives.us

$ Most Insurances Accepted

NYSHIP (New York Society for Health Planning) Accepted

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) & Health Savings Accounts (HSA) accepted as payment.

NYSHIP insurance accepted

Five Self Care Tips for Fall

Fall is a favorite season for many people. The weather starts getting a little cooler, things are beginning to slow down and preparations for the holidays are in full swing. For many others, fall is not so festive. Many people get sick during the fall months, allergies can flare up for some, and many don’t like the steady decrease in hours of sunlight, sometimes leading to seasonal depression. Here are some tips on how to get through the season without incident. continue reading »

Acupuncture for Pain Relief

Looking for a drug free option in pain relief?

Acupuncture for Pain ReliefAcupuncture may be a good option for you. It has been shown to have pain relieving effects and can be used to treat both chronic and acute pain. Some pain suffers find that acupuncture can reduce dependence on pain reliving drugs.

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is an ancient healing technique, practiced for thousands of years. The theory behind acupuncture can be explained in both traditional and modern terms.

In traditional Chinese medicine terms, the body is believed to have energy called “qi,” which flows along “meridians” in the body. By stimulating specific locations on the body (“acupoints”) the flow of qi is released. By redirecting your qi, acupuncture aims to address various health ailments.

The modern scientific theory behind acupuncture is that by stimulating nerves, your body releases chemicals that help reduce the perception of pain. Acupuncture may also lower inflammation in the body, which in turn helps manage pain. Some even theorize that the acupuncture process changes the structure of the connective tissue around the acupoint, providing lasting pain management benefits.

Does Acupuncture Hurt?

The hair-thin needles used in acupuncture are painless. However, needles are not the only way to stimulate acupoints. Acupoint stimulation can be accomplished several ways including through laser and electric stimulation. There is also acupressure, which stimulates acupoints with deep pressure applied by hand.

What kinds of pain can acupuncture address?

Acupuncture can be part of an effective plan to address chronic neck and back pain. Acupuncture can also be part of treatment for acute sources of pain, including menstrual cramps and headaches.

Acupuncture can even be used to address the underlying conditions that cause pain, such as inflammation. For instance, it is used in the treatment of arthritis.

The effectiveness of acupuncture to address these conditions has been studied. The National Institute of Health has conducted several studies that show that acupuncture can be effective in addressing chronic pain of the neck and back. In at least one study, participants who had been taking opioids reported using those drugs less when receiving acupuncture treatment.

Research has even shown that acupuncture’s long-lasting effects can persist for months, even after you have ended a course of treatment. The Journal of Pain conducted a meta-analysis and concluded that acupuncture had clinically relevant effects on pain, and those affects appeared to persist for over 12 months after treatment.

You Deserve Drug-Free Pain Relief

If you think that a long lasting, drug free pain management system might be a good fit for you, Holistic Alternatives can help. We offer a variety of acupuncture techniques allowing you to get your qi flowing with minimal anxiety and maximum relaxation.

Robert Lutz - Acupuncturist & Massage Therapist Long Island NYRobert Lutz
L.Ac., LMT, Diplomate of Oriental Medicine

Contact Robert to schedule an appointment:
Texts welcome (727) 266-3000.

TCM practitioner for over 20 yrs:

  • Licensed Acupuncturist
  • Licensed Massage Therapist
  • Diplomate of Oriental Medicine
  • Reiki Master
  • Ordained Interfaith Minister
  • Optavia Coach

“I offer alternatives to harsh drugs & invasive procedures when practical & safe to do so. I believe in supporting the healing qualities & wisdom of your body. Clients receive quality care with uninterrupted attention for 60 minutes or longer per session.”

TCM and Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease that disrupts normal function of the epithelial cells in the body.  Epithelial cells line the passageways of many of our vital organs, including the lungs, liver, kidneys, reproductive system and the skin. Those who have cystic fibrosis have a defective gene that impairs epithelial cell function. This can lead to a buildup of sticky mucus throughout the body that may eventually lead to lung damage and chronic coughing, affecting how patients with cystic fibrosis breathe and filter air, digest their food and absorb the nutrients from that food. In the United States alone, there are nearly 12 million people who suffer from this disease. Unfortunately, there is no known cure and most of those affected with the disease only live into their 20s and 30s. Current modern medicine treatments focus on increasing the quality of life by managing symptoms. continue reading »

Back to School Giving you a Headache? Holistic Alternatives welcomes teachers!

Back to School Giving you a Headache? Holistic Alternatives accepts NYSHP plans.

Teachers of Long Island: we welcome you back to a new school year! We know that all you do to educate your students can take a toll on your mental and physical health and well-being. That’s why we accept NYSHP plans. Together, Empire and Holistic alternatives are helping you to access treatments to reduce stress, improve wellness, and improve your mood so that you can be a happier and more productive teacher.

Holistic Alternatives provides holistic wellness services that may be covered by your NYSHP plan. Therapeutic massage, acupuncture, and cupping are just three of the services offered by Holistic Alternatives that can help you move easier, think more clearly, and boost your immune system.

Therapeutic Massage

Beyond the obvious benefit of relaxation, therapeutic massage has numerous positive health benefits that can improve your mental and physical well-being. Therapeutic massage can increase circulation, lower blood pressure, reduce pain, alleviate muscle tension, and treat soft tissue injuries. Therapeutic massage can be tailored to your individual needs, addressing a range of health issues, including repetitive stress injuries, migraines, frozen shoulder, and tendonitis.

These and other benefits help improve your mood and can improve your job performance. For instance, massage can improve your concentration, allowing you to focus on your students. Massage can even enhance your immune system, helping you stay healthy even when a bug is going around your classroom.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture involves inserting extremely thin needles into acupuncture points (or “acupoints”) on your body in order to stimulate them. Activating certain points and constellations of points provide a drug-free means of treating various health concerns. An ancient technique and mainstay of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture can alleviate the symptoms of many common ailments. The range is broad, and acupuncture can address issues ranging from headaches to arthritis.

Students have you stressed? Acupuncture has been shown to influence the regulation of cortisol, a stress hormone, helping prevent elevated levels in response to chronic stress. Neck and joint pain from late night grading and carrying papers? Acupuncture can address that. It can even address the eye strain.  Like massage, acupuncture can help improve your immune system, providing extra armor during cold season and back to school. Acupuncture can also address allergies and increase your overall energy.

Cupping Therapy

Cupping involves placing cups on the skin to create suction. The cups are placed in specific spots depending on what they are intending to treat. It is normal for this process to leave a mark, or “hickey”, in the location where the cup was placed. The method has been popular with swimmers, and you may recognize these marks from Olympic swimming events.

Cupping can be effective in the management of pain, sports recovery, and the management of some skin conditions. Is teaching giving you high blood pressure, migrates, or anxiety? According to the British Cupping Society, cupping may be effective in addressing these and other conditions.

Back to School Wellness

These are just three of the forms of holistic therapy that Holistic Alternatives may add to your teaching toolkit with the assistance of your NYSHP plan. Together, Holistic Alternatives and Empire can help you to not only be a more effective educator, but a happier and healthier person.

Robert Lutz - Acupuncturist & Massage TherapistRobert Lutz, L.Ac., LMT, Diplomate of Oriental Medicine

Holistic Alternatives ~ Holistic Weight Loss

Healing Center for Body, Mind & Spirit

Contact Robert Lutz to schedule an appointment:
Texts welcome (727) 266-3000.

TCM practitioner for over 20 yrs:

  • Licensed Acupuncturist
  • Licensed Massage Therapist
  • Diplomate of Oriental Medicine
  • Reiki Master

“I offer alternatives to harsh drugs & invasive procedures when practical & safe to do so. I believe in supporting the healing qualities & wisdom of your body. Clients receive quality care with uninterrupted attention for 60 minutes or longer per session.”

4 Tips for an Energizing, Joyful Summer

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, each season is associated with one of the elements: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. Perhaps unsurprisingly, summertime is associated with the element fire. Fire represents maximum activity. In nature, everything is at its peak growth during the summer, so TCM sees our energy as its most active and exuberant. Summer is the time of year with the most yang energy, which is all about excitement and assertiveness. continue reading »

Healthy Eating from Early to Late Summer

Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM is all about balance. In this ancient system, the key to health is to move through the world in such a way that our bodies can remain in homeostasis, in balance. This idea connects to sleep patterns, what we eat and ultimately the flow of Qi, or energy, throughout the body. For that reason, healthy eating in summertime, according to TCM, is all about using cooling foods to balance out how hot it is outside. In other words, we can find homeostasis from the inside out. continue reading »

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