Acupuncture for Peripheral Neuropathy
More than 20 million people in the United States have been estimated to have some form of peripheral neuropathy, which is a result of damage to the nerves located outside of the brain and spinal cord (peripheral nerves), and this damage is commonly caused by lack of blood flow in the hands and feet. A lack of blood flow results in a lack of nutrients; the nerves then begin to degenerate and die which causes pain ranging from discomfort to debilitating.
Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to increase blood flow, which helps to get the necessary nutrients to the affected nerves. It can stimulate the body's nerve pathways, help with nerve regeneration and preservation.
Indeed, studies show that acupuncture is an effective treatment for peripheral neuropathy, with fewer side effects than medications. The idea is to prevent disease by keeping the nerves active and engaged.
Meet our Practitioner
高弘
Hong Gao
L.Ac CMD
MD (in China)
Hong is a 3rd generation acupuncturist and Chinese medicine doctor in her family. After graduating from a 5 year acupuncture program at Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine in 1991, she worked in the Acupuncture and Chinese medicine department of the 7th Hospital of Harbin for 5 years before she went abroad. She practiced acupuncture and Chinese Medicine in China, Japan, Canada, and USA. She is nationally licensed in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology.
Hong helps patients regain vitality with her extensive knowledge passed down from generation to generation. She specializes in women care, from infertility, postpartum to menopause. And she also treats difficult chronic conditions. Whether it’s the numbness and tingling from your Peripheral Neuropathy; the widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues from fibromyalgia; the painful burning sensation that accompanies sciatica, or the unbearable swelling and stiffness of your joints from arthritis, she is here to help you live a life free from pain.
She partners with her patients to help them find their best path to wholehearted health based on lifestyle, constitution and goals. She meets her patients on their personal healing journey, integrating simple, easy, and do-able lifestyle shifts for maximum benefit.
Certification
-
Acupuncture: National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)
-
Oriental Medicine: National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)
-
Clean Needle Technique; Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Arthritis Pain
by Maggie Marston on Feb 17, 2020
Dr Gao is an experienced and holistic doctor. I have been feeling better and have experienced continual improvement in long-term arthritis pain, easing of stress during a big life change, reduction of menopause symptoms, and am sleeping more restfully. Dr. Gao is a good listener. After seeing a vet bring my immobile dachshund back to a good quality of life during the last year of his life with acupuncture, I decided to seek care for myself. I suggest seeking acupuncture sooner than later. Dr Gao is attending to long-neglected injuries that are slowly healing, and the pain is decreased significantly. Newer areas of pain and stiffness, menopause symptoms and stress reduction is responding more quickly. I am grateful to Dr Gao.
Allergy and Asthma
by Vincent Baker on Sep 26, 2019
My child had been experiencing moderate to severe allergy and asthma symptoms for an extended period of time. After many visits to allergists, and pulmonologists she was on multiple medications but still had no relief. Gao Acupuncture has been a blessing. After a few months of acupuncture and herbal therapy she began to see marked improvement. Six months after beginning with Gao Acupuncture my daughter has now stopped using all prescriptions. She is now solely utilizing acupuncture and natural methods to treat her allergies. Thank you Gao Acupuncture.
Hormonal Imbalance
by JAY G on May 21, 2019
My experience with Hong Gao as my acupuncturist has been nothing short of amazing! She has taken so much time and care to listen to me and properly care for my medical needs. She is thoughtful and asks many questions making sure that I’m included in every decision of the treatment plan. It has been only a couple of months of treatments for hormonal imbalance and migraines and I have already experienced great success not only in my specific treatment areas but in my general health.
Chronic Pain
by Bintou Camara on May 9, 2018
Never did I expect for this new experience that is Acupuncture to work for me. I have tried all types of therapies to heal my body pains and aches, and after years of trying, I resolved myself to try one last thing: acupuncture, but with skepticism. Not only did the experience help from the first visit, but Dr. Gao has a way to make you feel comfortable and educate you on your pain, so you can better understand it. Further to this, as my pain level gets better after every session, I sense a degree of optimism and happiness that I have lost some time ago, with the growing, chronic pain. After just 6-7 sessions, Dr. Gao has turned me into a more positive, hopeful, happier person. I realize the pain will not disappear overnight, and there may be some setbacks, but today, I am confident of that the improvement of my health is linked to acupuncture and Dr. Gao.