Acupuncture/Chinese Medicine



 

At CORE, our goal is to have our patients feeling better as quickly as possible. We are at the forefront of integrative medical care and continue to provide the highest quality of service available. We have chosen to include acupuncture and Chinese Medicine within the services we offer because we have found it to be clinically effective and minimally invasive. For this reason, our physicians regularly recommend acupuncture and Chinese medicine as part of patient care. Most of our patients first seek out acupuncture due to an orthopedic problem, including injuries and chronic pain. However, they soon discover the broad range of disorders that can be treated with Chinese medicine. It is great to find many patients returning to our center for treatment of other health issues including digestive and gynecological disorders. We encourage you to ask our doctors and staff about how Chinese Medicine can benefit you.

Chinese Medicine is a traditional healing art that has been practiced for more than 2,500 years. The medicine views all of the organ systems of the body as one complex entity that works in synergy to maintain a healthy flow of energy. This energy is often referred to as Qi, pronounced "chee". The circulation of Qi can become disrupted due to injury, stress, poor diet, medications and chronic illness.

A healthy individual expresses physical, mental and emotional balance. When a person is ill, the symptoms of the disharmony are seen as only one part of an overall imbalance. Chinese Medicine incorporates numerous therapies that restore harmony within the whole body, rather than focusing on isolated symptoms. Each treatment is tailored to meet your personal requirements:

Musculoskeletal

Neurology

Back and Neck Pain, Frozen Shoulder, Knee Pain, Sports Injuries, Arthritis, Disc Problems, Sciatica, TMJ Syndrome, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Migraines, Trigeminal Neuralgia, Stroke Rehabilitation, Bell's Palsy

Digestive

Gynecology

IBS, Colitis, Constipation, Diarrhea, Ulcers, Food Allergies, Heartburn, Indigestion

Hormonal Imbalances, PMS, Irregular Periods, Infertility, Menopause, Candida

Urology

Psychology

UTIs/Bladder Infections, Interstitial Cystitis, Prostatitis, Incontinence

Depression, Bipolar, Anxiety, Insomnia, Emotional Traumas

Respiratory

Dermatology

Colds and Flus, Sinusitis, Asthma, Allergies, Bronchitis, Coughs

Acne, Psoriasis, Eczema, Hives

Male Disorders

Pediatrics

Impotence, Premature Ejaculation, Prostatic Hypertrophy, Infertility

ADD/ADHD, Hyperactivity, Bedwetting, Ear Infections, Allergies

Circulatory

Chronic Disorders

High Blood Pressure, Angina, Cold Extremities, Numbness, Edema

Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Immune System Disorders

Other Benefits

Post-Surgical Pain, Weight Control, Increased Energy, Stress Reduction,
Addiction Therapy, Smoking Cessation

With the increasing popularity of acupuncture and Chinese medicine more insurance companies are covering these modalities. However, at this time there is no standard of coverage within the industry. The staff at CORE will be glad to research your benefits to see what is covered. Check with your doctor to find out about your coverage.

Our Practitioner

Justin G. Ehrlich, L.Ac, MSTOM was born in Oban, Scotland. He grew up in San Diego where he began studying traditional Chinese martial arts as a young boy. During his studies, he became fascinated by Chinese medicine and the innate healing capacity of the human body. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in international studies from the University of Washington in Seattle. While living in Japan during his studies, his interest in Chinese medicine grew stronger. Mr. Ehrlich furthered his education at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine where he received a Master of Science degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine. He also completed an orthopaedics internship treating collegiate athletes at the University of California, San Diego RIMAC.

Mr. Ehrlich's background includes extensive education in acupuncture, herbology, and tui na. He is a board licensed acupuncturist specializing in orthopaedic disorders, Chinese herbal medicine, and tui na. With his expertise in these areas, Mr. Ehrlich joined the team at CORE Orthopaedic in 2005. He works with patients recovering from acute trauma, post-surgical pain, and chronic/degenerative disorders. His patients appreciate his vast knowledge of non-invasive treatment options, as well as his emphasis on preventative care. Mr. Ehrlich's presence supports CORE Orthopaedic's mission to offer the most comprehensive and integrated care for each patient.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is the practice of inserting hair-like needles at certain anatomical points in the body to regulate physiological function, control pain, and promote healing. It can be used in conjunction with heat or electrical stimulation (the same as used by physical therapists).

An acupuncture treatment activates the body's own healing systems and stimulates the free flow of Qi. Acupuncture has been proven to regulate the digestive, hormonal, neurological and circulatory systems of the body. Therefore, it allows the body to heal itself while preventing future disease. Acupuncture is extremely safe and virtually painless. The superfine needles have no resemblance to the hypodermic needles used in ordinary injections. In fact, most patients find acupuncture treatments very relaxing and fall asleep during treatment. All needles are sterile and disposable.

One of the great benefits of acupuncture is its safety. Acupuncture rarely produces any side effects. On the contrary, it is often chosen because it does not have the side effects often seen with invasive medical procedures or pharmaceutical drugs. We use only sterile, disposable, stainless steel needles in our clinic. There is no risk of acquiring transmissible, blood-borne diseases from the acupuncture treatments.

The number of treatments will vary from case to case. For complex or chronic disorders a series of six to twelve over several weeks may be necessary. Acute conditions usually require fewer visits. Most patients begin with four treatments over a two-week period.

Herbal Medicine

Herbal Medicine and acupuncture are often used in combination to provide the most complete care for each individual. Chinese formulas typically consist of a custom blend of four to twelve herbs that work synergistically to match the specific needs of each patient. Unlike pharmaceuticals, herbal medicines have little or no side effects and alleviate symptoms by addressing the root cause of a disorder. However, self-prescribing can be dangerous and is not recommended. Our herbalist has the training necessary to safely prescribe tailored formulas which meet the highest international and U.S. standards for quality and purity.

Do not self-diagnose. Consult your physician or practitioner before taking any herbal supplements.

Tui Na

Tui na (pronounced "twee naw") is a form of massage and exercise therapy. It uses specific massage techniques based on the stimulation of acupuncture points and channels to control pain and promote healing. Tui na is a highly regarded specialty which promotes recovery and rehabilitation. Therefore, it is commonly used in Chinese hospitals as a powerful adjunct to acupuncture and herbal medicine. It also incorporates the use of specific exercises to promote recovery or rehabilitation.

Dietary Counseling

According to Chinese Medicine, proper diet is considered the foundation of good health. Research continues to demonstrate that many of the diseases we face as a society stem from our dietary patterns. Educated dietary practices are self-empowering and lay the foundation for long-term health and healing.

Chinese medicine treats food like medicine. Different foods have different therapeutic qualities and can therefore alleviate or aggravate various medical conditions.

Articles of Interest

Testimonials

"As a marathoner and basketball player, I have been sidelined by injuries before, usually needing only a few days rest before I was pounding the pavement or back on the court again. Six months ago I strained my calf muscle. After trying everything, and months of frustration, Dr. Carriero, my Podiatrist at CORE Medical Center, had me see Acupuncturist Justin Ehrlich. I felt relief after one visit, and after three I was back to doing the things I love."
- Lara Ulrich

Patient, Lara Ulrich,
Back in the race!

 

"We are excited to have Justin as a member of our team of providers.  His commitment to patient care and alternative forms of orthopaedic treatments has not only enriched the lives of our patients but has enhanced the scope of our practice."

- Michael J. Skyhar, MD

"Justin is great addition to our practice. His experience and expertise in the field of Chinese Medicine has really expanded the services we able to offer our patients and the treatment of orthopaedic injuries and disorders."

- Robert I. Gelb, MD

 
   
 
 
   
 
CORE Orthopaedic Medical Center 332 Santa Fe Drive Suite 110   Encinitas CA (North San Diego) 92024 877-777-2673 760-943-6700
A medical center that offers specialty trained orthopedic surgeons, doctors, occupational therapy, rehabilitation services and accupuncture in San Diego, California.