Personalized Pain Management in Seminole, Florida
A Different Approach to Pain Relief
Pain can affect far more than one part of your body. It can change the way you move, sleep, work, exercise and enjoy everyday life.
At NaturalMED Therapies, Machelle Perkins, AP, Dipl. Ac. takes an individualized approach to pain management, combining more than 25 years of acupuncture experience with specialized techniques and modern therapeutic technologies.
Depending on your symptoms, health history and goals, your treatment plan may include traditional acupuncture, electroacupuncture, Battlefield Acupuncture, MPS Dolphin Therapy or other supportive therapies.
The goal is not simply to focus on where it hurts, but to understand the pattern of your pain and select the treatment approach that best fits your individual needs.
Pain Is Personal. Your Treatment Should Be Too.
Two patients with similar pain may have very different underlying circumstances.
An old sports injury may behave differently from recurring neck tension. Chronic lower-back pain requires a different assessment from a recent flare-up. Headaches, joint discomfort and muscle pain can each present their own patterns.
That is why Machelle begins with the patient rather than a standard protocol.
Your consultation may consider:
- Where the pain is located and how long it has been present
- Whether symptoms are acute, recurring or chronic
- Previous injuries, surgeries or treatments
- Activities or movements that make symptoms better or worse
- Your general health and current medical care
- How pain affects your mobility, sleep and daily activities
From there, Machelle can determine which therapies may be appropriate and whether they should be used individually or in combination with other care you are receiving.
Pain Management
Traditional Medicine. Individualized for Modern Care.
Acupuncture has been used for centuries and today is one of the most widely recognized complementary approaches to pain management.
Treatment uses very thin, sterile, single-use needles placed at carefully selected points on the body. The choice of points and treatment technique depends on the individual patient and the type and location of pain.
Machelle may also incorporate electrical stimulation of acupuncture points, heat or moxibustion, trigger-point techniques, or other complementary methods when appropriate.
Rather than providing the same treatment to every patient, the acupuncture plan is adapted according to how your symptoms respond.
Acupuncture may be considered for pain involving:
- Lower back
- Neck and shoulders
- Knees and other joints
- Muscles and soft tissue
- Sports-related strains and overuse
- Headaches and migraines
- Sciatic-type pain
- Recurring or chronic musculoskeletal discomfort
Research suggests acupuncture may be helpful in managing several pain conditions, particularly certain forms of back, neck, knee and musculoskeletal pain.
What Does Acupuncture Feel Like?
Acupuncture needles are extremely fine. Sensations vary from person to person and from one acupuncture point to another.
Some patients feel very little when a needle is placed, while others notice temporary pressure, warmth, tingling or a dull sensation around the treatment area. Many patients find the treatment period relaxing.
Machelle uses sterile, single-use acupuncture needles and adjusts treatment to each patient's comfort and response.
Specialized Acupuncture
Battlefield Acupuncture
Battlefield Acupuncture (BFA) is a specialized form of auricular acupuncture that uses specific points on the ear. It was developed as a practical, non-pharmacological approach to pain management and is also used within Veterans Health Administration pain-care programs.
The treatment can be incorporated into a broader, individualized pain-management plan. Machelle has experience providing Battlefield Acupuncture to Veterans and other patients dealing with chronic pain and determines whether the technique is appropriate based on each patient's individual needs.
Microcurrent Point Stimulation
MPS Dolphin Therapy
MPS Dolphin Therapy uses gentle microcurrent stimulation applied to specific points of the body. Machelle may incorporate MPS as a supportive therapy for patients experiencing persistent pain, muscle tension or areas of sensitivity.
Rather than treating MPS as a stand-alone solution, it can become one part of a personalized treatment plan alongside acupuncture and other appropriate modalities. The approach allows Machelle to adapt each session to the patient's symptoms, response to treatment and individual goals.
Ready to Discuss Your Needs?
Whether you're dealing with chronic pain, an old injury or a more complex combination of concerns, the first step is a conversation. Connect with Machelle to discuss your needs and schedule your appointment.
Patient Stories
Real experiences. Personal stories.
Hear from patients about their experiences with Machelle Perkins
and NaturalMED Therapies.