Mr. Michael andrew Chow MAOM, LAC?

Mr. Michael andrew Chow MAOM, LAC

Acupuncturist

600 Central Ave Suite G Lake Elsinore CA, 92530 Show map

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About

Michael andrew Chow is an acupuncturist practicing in Lake Elsinore, CA. Dr. Chow evaluates and treats patients based on the concepts of oriental medicine. Acupuncturists complete their evaluations by getting a patient history and looking at and touching the body. Then, they place very fine acupuncture needles into specific points on the body. Stimulating these points and nerves is how Dr. Chow treats the patients condition. Many of the bodys systems respond to acupuncture, and it can treat physical pain as well as emotional stress.

Board Certification

SurgeryAmerican Board of SurgeryABS

Thoracic SurgeryAmerican Board of Thoracic SurgeryABTS

Provider Details

MaleEnglish

Mr. Michael andrew Chow MAOM, LAC

Mr. Michael andrew Chow MAOM, LAC's Expert Contributions

My Answers

Can acupuncture help with knee pain?
I have used acupuncture & acupressure for knee pain with success. However, it should be noted that with chronic conditions they usually take longer to treat & heal. Double check with your primary if acupuncture may be suitable for yourself and discuss the treatment plan with your practitioner. Live Happy, Michael READ MORE
Can acupuncture loosen tight muscles in neck?
I have had many patients of various ages with this complaint or sometimes with a shoulder issue. They definitely benefited from acupuncture despite trying other treatments including, but not limited to physical therapy and/or medications. Of course, double check with your primary to see if acupuncture is okay and get a prognosis from your acupuncture provider. Live Happy, Michael READ MORE
How often should you get acupuncture treatment for migraines?
The treatment outline really relies on the severity of the condition. Generally speaking, if the condition is chronic or throughout your life usually twice a week is a good start for acupuncture treatments. If it’s something just recent, maybe once a week to once a month treatments should be fine. Definitely consult with your primary, and discuss with the acupuncture practitioner the best options. Live Happy, Michael READ MORE
Is it safe to do acupuncture every week?
Doing acupuncture once a week should be fine, unless you suffer from adverse effects from the treatments (Nickle/metal allergy, dizziness, fainting, extreme lethargy etc.). Make sure to check with your primary if you’re in good health to try acupuncture then check with the Chinese medical practitioner to see what types of treatments would be suitable and how frequent. Live Happy, Michael READ MORE
Is acupuncture on the head safe?
With the professional practitioner certified for acupuncture, acupuncture READ MORE
Where are acupuncture needles placed?
Acupuncture needles may be placed anywhere on the body where the skin is exposed. Treatment prescriptions depend on the condition that is being complained about. The very most common points are the “third eye” between the eyes, the webbing between the thumb and index finger and the the webbing between the big toe & 2nd toe. Usually acupuncture can be down local to the site of pain, but there are also distal points that may be prescribed like for headaches we might needle around the feet to drain the energy down. Live Happy, Michael READ MORE
Can acupuncture be done daily?
It is possible to do acupuncture daily, but you wouldn't want to over do it much like getting vaccinated frequently or cleansing ever single day. In terms of maintenance daily acupuncture would be fine, especially in stroke patients, but if you were doing a strong treatment you shouldn't do it every day. Some acupuncture treatments alone can drain the body of it's energy and cause some patients to faint, especially if they had missed breakfast or a meal. Caution alone would be exercised for lethargic patients, especially due to pregnancy or menstrual cycle. Anemia or some auto-immune diseases may be enough concern to not practice daily acupuncture. Check with your primary care physician about general health and let the acupuncture provider know what you intend for your goals to set up the best treatment frequency. Live Happy, Michael READ MORE
Is acupuncture good for pregnancy?
Acupuncture can be very beneficial for mommy and baby. I had a professor that taught me about a “happy mommy happy baby” treatment. It’s a treatment that helps ease the common digestive issues and fetal frustrations common in pregnancy(ies). Of course, ask your ob/gyn and primary if you’re at risk, then make sure to let your practitioner (acupuncturist) know you’re pregnant. Live Happy, Michael READ MORE
Is this normal after acupuncture?
If you mean you are feeling relaxed in the lower back after the acupuncture treatment, then yes, that is a most likely outcome. Usually after an acupuncture session, one might feel "subdued," as many of my patients have claimed. Most likely you had a very good treatment and will have relief for quite a few days if not longer. Live Happy, Michael READ MORE
Can you get acupuncture for anxiety?
Acupuncture has been proven thru research to be very effective in treating pain and stress/anxiety and/or insomnia. I believe you will find many benefits with acupuncture, or possibly your condition may be simple enough to only require an herbal supplement. If you are on meds, talk with your doctor and discuss options of lowering dosages for a safe outcome in combining the treatments. Live Happy, Michael READ MORE
How many acupuncture sessions does it take to see results?
In my experience, every individual responds to acupuncture differently. Some are more sensitive than others and others not so sensitive at all. I have had a patient who is also a physician that had headaches all her life since she was a little girl; she skipped her neuro appointment for her first treatment and had the best 2 weeks of her life free from headaches. I’ve also had some patients build up for relief: first treatment helped relieve headaches for a couple of days then after around 5 treatments relief would last 10-15 days. Generally, the more chronic the condition, the longer it will take for improvement. You should notice the most relief between the 5th and 8th treatments. Live Happy, Michael READ MORE
What should I do after acupuncture?
After treatment should be about rest & relaxation. Usually after acupuncture you will feel subdued and sleepy, this would be the perfect time to let the body rest & recover: self-heal. The following morning you should feel more refreshed and able to continue as the day goes on. The daily activities depend on what you were treated for with acupuncture; for instance, if you had backache and were treated for that I wouldn’t recommend you start lifting heavy objects or go out dancing immediately after. Otherwise, you should be able to continue your routine after a session of acupuncture and your practitioner will be able to tell you what to expect and how long between treatments for the best recovery from the main complaint. Live Happy, Michael READ MORE
Does acupuncture help vertigo?
Yes, we have acupuncture treatments for vertigo and migraines/headaches. I’ve noticed they’re often associated with tinnitus as well. The practitioner will examine you and categorize what your vertigo symptoms may present in terms of Chinese Medicine to have the best prognosis. However, if this is a result of trauma/injury or you feel this is the absolute worst-splitting headache of your life, please consult with emergent services. Live Happy, Michael READ MORE
Does acupuncture help with spinal stenosis?
Spinal stenosis is a physical narrowing of the disc spaces to pinch the nerves. Acupuncture & herbal medicine cannot physically reverse this, however, it has been found to increase the quality of life and improve the symptoms associated with it. Chronic conditions will always take longer to treat, but usually major symptoms should be alleviated by the 5th to 8th visit. Live Happy, Michael READ MORE
What is acupuncture and how does it help?
Acupuncture is the insertion of ultra fine filiform needles into pressure points on the body according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In TCM, the goal is to harmonize your flow of energy & circulation; oftentimes disruption to the circuit is the cause of the complaint. “Bad” blood can accumulate like a bruise, meaning the bad blood has pooled into one area & because it is not flowing well it is stagnant, so we can use acupuncture & other methods of TCM like cupping to get the blood to move again and resolve the bruising. Research has shown that acupuncture is very effective for back and neck pain compared to placebos or fake (sham) acupuncture. Other research has shown acupuncture stimulates beta-endorphins and alpha-adenosine to stimulate pain relief and self-healing within the body. It’s a tried medicine of millennia for the modern life, but of course it doesn’t mean we can live without mainstream medicine. Live Happy, Michael READ MORE
Does acupuncture treat acid reflux?
I have had great success treating acid reflux and its associated symptoms including, but not limited to raspy voice, burning throat, and affecting digestion. A combination of acupuncture with herbal formula supplements will be very effective, but it does depend on the symptoms you are presenting. The practitioner you see should be able to provide your prognosis upon taking your tongue & pulse and evaluating your symptoms. Live Happy, Michael READ MORE
Is acupuncture a placebo?
Despite many “old school” main-streamed medical professionals claiming alternative medicine to be quackery, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been evidence based (clinically) for thousands of years. Top research facilities like UCLA med school and Stanford continue to study how acupuncture manipulates the brain regions. Thus far, medical insurances are starting to widely accept acupuncture for the current research showing support that acupuncture & TCM does treat conditions involving pain, stress/anxiety, insomnia and even nausea due to pregnancy or chemotherapy. Many studies are still in the process to determine what else TCM & acupuncture may treat and what exactly is it about acupuncture that affects the body. Please forgive my limited knowledge however, I have not been keeping up-to-date with all current studies so some of what I have mentioned above may be a little off. Live Happy, Michael READ MORE
What are the side effects of acupressure for someone with dengue?
Acupressure side effects for someone with dengue will depend heavily on what stage that infected person is presenting and which pressure points are being used. Chinese medicine for dengue is not a cure, but it will facilitate the healing process thru the various stages. Some negative side effects may include but not limited to bruising and/or nerve irritation. Others may included improved strength, quality of sleep, energy and relief from pain. Personally I feel acupressure is a weaker form of treatment compared to acupuncture because you need to constantly stimulate the point. READ MORE
How long do the effects of acupuncture last?
I’m so sorry I have forgotten to reply to this question. Effects from acupuncture will usually depend individually and be determined on how chronic your condition is. If this was a seasonal headache then maybe the effect can last until the following season; but if you had injured your head over 3 months ago the effects may last for a few days the first visit and treatment would be required to extend the relief for a week or even longer. Some people are more sensitive to acupuncture than others so sometimes they feel relief immediately and it lasts longer while others need multiple treatment before reaching the same point. Live Happy, Michael READ MORE
Is acupuncture good for sciatica?
I have had a good number of patients with sciatica, it may not have been their chief complaint, but I was able to help them with acupuncture. Although my method involves cupping as well. Acupuncture is good to help, but in my opinion sciatica would benefit from multiple therapies so even if you did acupuncture alone, it would help to massage it at home with a tennis ball, etc. Sciatica is usually due to the inflammation and/or impingement of that sciatic nerve in/or around the piriformis muscle located in that gluteal-buttock muscle. Massage and stimulation to that area should help ease the pain and inflammation causing that nerve pinch. Of course, this is due to classic sciatica, the condition may be caused by other disturbances which should be evaluated and diagnosed by a professional practitioner. Live Happy, Michael READ MORE