Joel Singer MD: Studies confirm acupuncture benefits

The Chinese community in New York recently celebrated Chinese Lunar New Year, initiating the year of the dog. Dr. Joel Singer, a board-certified plastic surgeon with a practice in midtown New York, was invited to attend the Acupuncture Association’s Chinese New Year meeting and celebration held in New York.

Acupuncture – an important component of traditional Chinese medicine

New York is home to a large ethnic Chinese population. Acupuncture is an important component of traditional Chinese medicine and involves inserting thin needles into the body. How it works scientifically is not exactly clear, but the Chinese have used it for centuries as a way to balance vital energy.

According to traditional Chinese medicine, health is a result of a balance of life forces, and illness is a result of imbalance. Energy flows through the pathways (meridians) in the body, and these energy flows are accessed through about 350 acupuncture points in the body. Inserting needles into these points helps to bring the flow of energy back into balance.

More people turning to alternative treatments

Thousands of people live with osteoarthritis, making daily life challenging. When the natural cushion (cartilage) between joints wears away, it can result in much pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of mobility. A range of treatments exists for this condition, including conventional and alternative methods. Conventional methods include rest, use analgesics like NSAIDs and steroid injections. None of these methods address the underlying condition and surgery is often the eventual outcome.

More and more patients worldwide are turning to alternative medical treatments such as acupuncture. Acupuncture is being practiced widely in the United States as a therapeutic intervention. Dr. Singer has a particular interest in minimally invasive and non-surgical methods of healing and sees acupuncturists as important partners in the treatment of pain. He gained notoriety earlier this year for announcing his ongoing treatment of NFL playersfor brain damage.

Studies identify benefits of acupuncture beyond the placebo effect

Studies into the benefit of acupuncture have had some promising results. It appears to be useful as an adjunct treatment when included in a comprehensive management program. How it works is still largely unknown, but research is emerging that suggests it has a positive effect, more than that of a placebo. It is believed that stimulation of the nerves and muscles found in the acupuncture points encourages blood flow and releases natural painkillers.

Minimally invasive treatment methods

It is not surprising that Dr. Joel Singer supports the value of acupuncture in treating pain. He is open to minimally invasive treatment methods of all kinds to help relieve patients of pain and improve their health. As part of Cell Surgical Network, an international organization of physicians, he collects data to help advance regenerative therapy. He incorporates cutting-edge techniques into his own services at his practice, Park Avenue Stem Cell, and works closely with patients to develop suitable treatments for them.

Dr. Singer is currently conductinga randomized, controlled, double-blind study into the use of adipose-derived stem cells to treat osteoarthritis of the knee. He harvests a patient’s own fat cells under local anesthetic, separates the stem cells and injects them into the arthritic joint where they have the potential to develop into cartilage cells.

Dr. Joel Singer is passionate about helping others whether this is in his professional or personal capacity. He has over 30 years of medical experience and has traveled all over the globe providing training to local plastic surgeons. He actively participates in several medical organizations on a local and national level. His support for the Chinese communities in New York and acupuncturists as partners in pain relief is just part of his open-minded approach and desire to be at the cutting edge of medicine.