Integrative Acupuncture, Massage Therapy, and Nutrition

03/31/2023

Direct Muscle Specific Approach

The human body is comprised of four fundamental types of material, known as tissue or soft tissue. They are nervous tissue, epithelial tissue, muscular tissue and connective tissue. Of these, the muscle and connective tissue account for the majority. Our muscles alone constitute about 40% of our body weight. You may be wondering about bones! Well bones are actually a type of connective tissue and placed in that category.

The muscle and connective tissue (CT) of our bodies work together to form the shape of us, and allow us to function mechanically. These two are intertwined and layered in such a way as they are seemingly one unit. In addition, they provide support for our frame (bones) and protection for more delicate internal tissue. Pretty important stuff.

There is almost always muscle and CT involvement when dealing with physical aches and pains, whether it be from injury or otherwise. Therefore it is important to make sure these tissues are thoroughly and properly treated to ensure a desired outcome.

Acupuncture and massage therapy are two of the most effective, and safe ways to get at the specific affected muscle and CT areas in the body. These are targeted approaches. Whether there is a medical diagnosis or the cause is unknown, these therapies can help provide the relief needed. Often times, when a therapy is as direct and specific as these, the results can be quite remarkable.

Utilizing a massage therapist’s hands, and an acupuncturist’s tools we can reach these deeper muscles in a safe and comfortable way. This combination in addition to therapeutic exercise and stretching are often just what is needed to enhance the healing process, and resolve a person’s physical complaints.

Call us at 516-312-6670 We accept most common insurances. Visit us at IAMTherapyNY.com

09/26/2022

IAMT is a place for honest natural and wholistic healthcare. This practice began with the goal of being of value to the health status of all people in need. We want to make sure you are aware of what we do. Imagine being able to receive massage therapy for your neck/shoulder tension headaches, have acupuncture to improve your fertility, and have your diet analyzed and corrected through nutritional and herbal medicine recommendations all in ONE visit. This is an example of a wholistic approach and we follow that principle every day.

All of our services are available at all times in one of our two locations (East Meadow and Bethpage NY). We aim to be comprehensive with our approach and reach as many people as possible. We believe in being of service and giving more than we receive. Our focus is on results and prevention of future health issues. By participating in multiple insurance plans we hope to help you, your family and friends with any health issue that may arise.

Please reach out with any health complaint you may have. There are alternative and complementary options to explore which can have powerful positive effects. 516-312-6670

Visit the site to learn more at www.IAMTherapyNY.com

Aetna
Blue Cross Blue Shield

The Empire Plan (NYSHIP)

United Healthcare

Department of Labor

1199

TriWest/Community Care-Optum VA

No-Fault

Worker’s Compensation

Any other Health Plan with Out-of-Network coverage

09/19/2022

Direct Muscle Specific Approach

The human body is comprised of four fundamental types of material, known as tissue. They are nervous tissue, epithelial tissue, muscular tissue and connective tissue. Of these, the muscle and connective tissue account for the majority of the material we are made of. Our muscles alone constitute about 40% of our body weight. You may be wondering about bones! Well bones are actually a type of connective tissue and placed in that category.

The muscle and connective tissue (CT) of our bodies work together to form the shape of us, and allow us to function mechanically. These two are intertwined and layered in such a way as they are seemingly one unit. In addition, they provide support for our frame (bones) and protection for more delicate internal tissue. Pretty important stuff!

As we all know, there are many issues which can arise in one’s life affecting muscles and CT. There is almost always muscle and CT involvement when dealing with physical aches and pains, whether it be from injury or otherwise. Therefore it is important to make sure these tissue are thoroughly and properly treated to ensure a desired outcome.

Acupuncture and massage therapy are two of the most effective, and safe ways to get at the specific affected muscle and CT areas in the body. These are targeted approaches. Whether there is a medical diagnosis or the cause is unknown, these therapies can help provide the relief needed. Often times, when a therapy is as direct and specific as these, the results can be quite remarkable.

Utilizing a massage therapist’s hands, and an acupuncturist’s tools we can reach these deeper muscles in a safe and comfortable way. This combination in addition to therapeutic exercise and stretching are often just what is needed to enhance the healing process, and resolve a person’s physical complaints.

09/18/2022

In Syosset today at the Syosset-Woodbury Street fair.



IAMTherapyNY.com

09/16/2022

Reduce Stress and Anxiety
with Acupuncture and Massage Therapy

Stress and anxiety are often a normal part of life, and when managed well they can be of little consequence. Sometimes they can begin to be overwhelming affecting our quality of life, and general state of health. Chronic stress and unmanaged anxiety can begin to take a serious toll on our health leading to other problems, such as high blood pressure, heart attack or stroke.

There are several ways in which we can reduce stress and anxiety. Acupuncture and Massage Therapy are two ways in which we can strongly reduce the symptoms and effects of stress and anxiety on the body and brain! These treatment options can help to reduce inflammation, which results in decreased cortisol (body’s main stress hormone) in your bloodstream. Blood pressure can also be reduced, protecting your heart from damage. These therapy options, and more like nutritional and herbal medicine improve our health from the inside out, and at a deep level.

If you have any questions about this please call us anytime. 516-312-6670
Visit us at IAMTherapyNY.com to learn more about us.

09/14/2022

IAMT offers a comprehensive approach to dealing with multiple health issues. Fortunately we are equipped to provide the highest standards of acupuncture, massage therapy, herbal medicine and nutrition for the community.

Our view on healthcare is as follows. Understanding the person who suffers from any health issue is as important as understanding the health issue itself. In other words we believe the most effective healthcare considers the complexity of a person and the health issues they suffer from. In doing this we are able to understand a given problem with more clarity. In addition, since our practice is equipped with multiple forms of therapy we can apply a more robust and targeted treatment for optimal results.

We accept multiple insurance types in order to help as many people as possible. Visit our site to learn more. http://IAMTherapyNY.com?utm_source=hootsuite&utm_medium=&utm_term=&utm_content=&utm_campaign=

08/18/2022

https://www.instagram.com/reel/ChaTF3upO4-/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Michel A. Solounias shared a post on Instagram: "Safety first. Understand who can and cannot perform acupuncture (also known as dry needling). Its crazy to think that anyone not legally allowed to perform this treatment would attempt it but it happens. Be safe! ...

08/12/2022

https://www.instagram.com/reel/ChI54wVr6k6/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Michel A. Solounias shared a post on Instagram: "The best care is determined by proper assessment. There is no one size fits all. Sometimes people come see us and we determine that an entirely different Healthcare service is required that we may not even offer. As serious healthcare providers our jo...

08/09/2022

https://www.instagram.com/reel/ChDKCQxNI60/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

iamtherapyny • Original audio

09/06/2021

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a treatment option for dealing with many disorders and dysfunctions of a living organism. Both humans and animals ( dogs, cats, horses, etc.) receive and benefit from this treatment option. The effects can be both therapeutic, and prophylactic. Acupuncture is one part of an entire healthcare system which originated in ancient China, which also includes nutritional therapy, manual therapy (massage and joint manipulation), and exercise (both mental and physical). A typical visit to an Acupuncturist/ Asian Medicine Practitioner consists of some combination of these therapies.

Acupuncture involves stimulation of areas of the body by use of mechanical, thermal, or electrical means. Almost all Acupuncture visits will include the use of tiny, wire-thin, sterile, surgical steel needles. Acupuncture treatment can be used to address almost any health condition that a person can be affected by. It has been shown to have a positive therapeutic impact on almost every physiological system in the human body. It does this by interacting with the nervous system, and by sending a variety of physical signals to the body in order to initiate a therapeutic effect.

There are both specific points along pathways throughout the body, and general areas, which are targeted by an Acupuncturist. As with any medical treatment, there is a range of dosages available with Acupuncture. Once a thorough assessment and evaluation is conducted, a practitioner will design an appropriate treatment plan. There are varying degrees of needle size, and needle techniques, including different methods of stimulation. A typical visit includes anywhere from 6 to 15 acupuncture points on average.

For those interested in the scientific data explaining how Acupuncture affects physiology, an article link is included below. There are several mechanisms.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S200529011300174X

A final note worth mentioning for your safety is a recent confusion around the term dry-needling. This is a term used to describe acupuncture. Some advertising using this term suggests it is something different from Acupuncture, but this is not the case. Acupuncture and dry-needling are one and the same. In New York State only a duly licensed Acupuncturist may provide this treatment.

Michel A. Solounias M.S., L.Ac., L.M.T.

08/20/2021

Muscle “knots”, Trigger Points and Adhesions

One of the most common causes of pain in the body is a problem with muscle and connective tissue (fascia). Most of us have experienced what we call a muscle “knot” at some point in our lives. The clinical term for this is a myofascial trigger point. Of course, there isn’t actually a knot tied up inside our muscle, but it tends to feel hardened like an actual knot might feel. In fact, each muscle and connective tissue are made up of bundles and networks of fibrous material. The fibers in muscle are arranged in a particular order and alignment to ensure proper function. Sometimes a section of those fibers can become irritated. When this happens some of the fibers in a muscle may begin to contract involuntarily and remain in that state of tension creating symptoms of pain, and mobility restrictions.

Sometimes a trigger point may actually cause pain to radiate away from the point to a nearby area in the body. These are known as active trigger points and often are a hidden cause of common pains. In the clinic we see this frequently manifesting as headaches, jaw pain, and pain into an arm or leg.

The fibers in connective tissue differ from those in muscles and can sometime become overly intertwined or developed creating a thickening of tissue in a given area leading to tension in and around a muscle, joint, or organ. These thickened areas of tissue are often referred to as adhesions. Similar to a Myofascial trigger point (knot), an adhesion can cause pain, tension and restricted mobility as well.

In any case, the causes of these “issues in our tissues” are a result of one or more of the following:

1- Improper posture
2- Prolonged inactivity
3- Stress
4- Injury from trauma or surgery
5- Repetitive stress/strain

Most of these potential causes can be avoided, and as we know, prevention is often the best medicine. However, in the cases where they cannot be avoided there are several additional methods for dealing with them. Continue to practice proper posture and stress reduction in order to prevent these issues, but if they occur there are solutions.

Here are some of the more non-invasive forms of treatment.

1- Heat or ice pack or a hot bath (possibly with Epsom salt)
2- Self-massage or professional massage/manual therapy
3- Self-Stretching or assisted stretching
4- Osteopathic or physical therapy techniques
5- *Acupuncture (also known as dry needling) *
6- Ultrasound (ultrasonography

*Safety note - Acupuncture and dry needling are the same thing and should only be performed by a licensed acupuncturist or medical doctor certified in acupuncture*

Michel A. Solounias M.S., L.Ac., L.M.T.

Sources:
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2002/0215/p653.html

https://skeletalmusclejournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/2044-5040-1-21

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/muscle-pain-it-may-actually-be-your-fascia