Acupuncture

Dr. Dawn Ann Molina, DAOM offers Dry Needling, Electroacupuncture, and Traditional Acupuncture. The best acupuncture modality suited for your needs will be determined at your acupuncture appointment.

Dr. Dawn Ann Molina, DAOM has experience practicing in non-profit, private, and institutional settings. In 2018 she interned at The Gulou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Beijing. The Gulou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Beijing is a renowned institution dedicated to integrating the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with modern medical practices. Founded in 1958, the hospital specializes in TCM treatments such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, cupping, and tuina (therapeutic massage, physical therapy, and osteopathic medicine), while also offering conventional medical care. Over the years, Gulou Hospital has become a leading center for both clinical services and research, attracting patients from across China and around the world. The hospital places a strong emphasis on personalized treatments that address the root causes of disease by harmonizing the body’s Qi, ensuring holistic health. It also serves as a hub for education and training, advancing TCM knowledge through collaborations with universities and medical institutions.

Dry Needling

Dry needling therapeutic acupuncture technique involves inserting thin, sterile, acupuncture needles into specific trigger points or tight bands of muscle tissue to alleviate pain and to improve mobility. It targets areas of muscle tension known as myofascial trigger points, which can cause referred pain or limit range of motion.

Scientifically, dry needling works by disrupting the neuromuscular junction, promoting localized inflammation, and increasing blood flow to the targeted area. This helps release muscle tightness, reduce pain, and stimulate the body's natural healing response. Additionally, by eliciting a "twitch response" in the muscle, dry needling resets abnormal muscle activity and improves tissue overall function.

Dry needling acupuncture for aesthetics is another specialized technique that focuses on enhancing skin health, reducing wrinkles, and improving overall facial appearance. By inserting fine needles into specific areas of the face and neck, it stimulates collagen production, improves blood circulation, and encourages cell regeneration. The treatment targets underlying muscle tension and fascia that may contribute to facial lines or sagging.

Scientifically, this process promotes micro-trauma to the skin, which triggers the body’s natural healing response, leading to firmer, more youthful-looking skin. Additionally, the increased blood flow delivers essential nutrients to the skin, improving texture and tone. Dry needling for aesthetics can be a natural, non-invasive alternative to more aggressive cosmetic procedures.

Dry needling is an effective treatment modality for a variety of musculoskeletal and pain-related conditions. Some of the key conditions it addresses include:

Myofascial Pain Syndrome: Targets trigger points in muscles to relieve pain and tension.
Tension Headaches: Helps alleviate headaches caused by muscle tension and trigger points in the neck and shoulders.
Chronic Pain: Provides relief for conditions like fibromyalgia, chronic back pain, and arthritis by reducing muscle tightness and improving blood flow.
Sports Injuries: Aids in the recovery of injuries such as sprains, strains, and tendonitis by promoting healing and reducing pain.
Post-Surgical Pain: Assists in pain management and rehabilitation following surgical procedures.
Joint Dysfunction: Addresses conditions like temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders and frozen shoulder by relieving muscle tightness around the joints.
Sciatica: Targets the muscles contributing to nerve irritation and pain in the sciatic nerve distribution.
Aesthetics: Stimulates collagen production, improves blood circulation, and encourages cell regeneration.

Dry needling enhances muscle function, reduces pain, and promotes recovery, making it a valuable tool in physical therapy and pain management.

Electroacupuncture

Electroacupuncture is a modern variation of acupuncture. It uses electricity to enhance the benefits of traditional therapeutic acupuncture treatment.

Electroacupuncture is the acupuncture therapy of choice in the athletic rehabilitation environment, pain management setting, and as a form of functional electrical stimulation (FES) in stroke rehabilitation.

Electroacupuncture helps to block pain by activating bioactive chemicals in the body. This process may decrease sensitivity to the pain a person may be feeling. It’s also been shown to help reduce inflammation in the body. ‌Electroacupuncture activates sympathetic nerve fibers, and by activating these fibers the body releases endogenous opioids such as endorphins, which help to reduce inflammation. The activated nerve fibers may also help to reduce feelings of persistent pain, making electroacupuncture a good treatment for chronic pain patients.‌

Studies have found that electroacupuncture may help the body release mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into our bloodstream. MSCs are adult stem cells mostly found in our bone marrow. MSCs help our body create different types of tissues and also have healing properties.

Electroacupuncture is an advanced form of acupuncture that involves the application of small electrical currents to acupuncture needles, enhancing the therapeutic effects of traditional acupuncture. This technique has shown effectiveness for a variety of conditions, including:

Chronic Pain: Particularly useful for conditions like lower back pain, neck pain, and osteoarthritis, where it can help reduce inflammation and improve mobility.
Neuropathic Pain & Dysfunction: Effective in managing pain related to nerve damage or dysfunction, such as stroke, diabetic neuropathy, and postherpetic neuralgia.
Headaches and Migraines: Helps to alleviate tension headaches and migraines by promoting relaxation and improving blood circulation.
Muscle Spasms: Relieves muscle tightness and spasms by stimulating blood flow and reducing local tension.
Sports Injuries: Supports recovery from sports-related injuries by reducing pain, swelling, and muscle stiffness.
Anxiety and Depression: Can help regulate mood and reduce anxiety symptoms through modulation of neurotransmitter release.
Digestive Disorders: Effective for conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and constipation by improving gastrointestinal function and reducing pain.
Menstrual Disorders: Can aid in managing menstrual cramps and other gynecological issues by balancing hormonal levels and improving blood flow.

Electroacupuncture combines the principles of traditional acupuncture with modern technology, enhancing its efficacy in pain relief and various health conditions.

Traditional Acupuncture

Acupuncture has a rich history dating back over 2,500 years, originating in ancient China as part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Its earliest references can be found in texts like the "Huangdi Neijing" (The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine), which outlined the theory of Qi (vital energy) flowing through pathways known as meridians, and how acupuncture could restore balance by stimulating specific points along these pathways. Over centuries, acupuncture evolved and spread throughout Asia, adapting to various cultural practices.

Traditional acupuncture, a key component of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), involves the stimulation of specific acupuncture points to promote healing and balance in the body. TCM views these points as gates that regulate the flow of vital energy. Modern scientific understanding has proven that acupuncture points correspond to motor neurons (nerve cells) that control muscle movement and relay signals between the brain, spinal cord, and muscles. When acupuncture needles stimulate these points, they activate motor neurons, influencing the nervous system. This stimulation triggers biochemical changes, such as the release of neurotransmitters and endorphins, which can reduce pain, improve circulation, and moderate the body’s response to stress. Acupuncture’s communication between the nervous system and various organs, promotes homeostasis by aiding in the body's natural healing processes.

Traditional acupuncture is an effective treatment for a wide range of conditions, leveraging its ability to restore balance and promote the body's natural healing processes. Dr. Dawn Molina, DAOM specializes in treating the following conditions with traditional acupuncture:

Chronic Pain: Experience treating conditions such as lower back pain, neck pain, osteoarthritis, arthritis, and tendonitis by improving circulation and reducing inflammation.
Headaches and Migraines: Can help reduce the frequency and severity of tension headaches and migraines by targeting pressure points to release tension and improve energy flow.
Stress and Anxiety: Vagus nerve regulation used to calm the nervous system and help to regulate stress hormones, providing relief from anxiety, insomnia, and emotional stress.
Gastrointestinal Disorders: Dr. Molina treats GI conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), acid reflux, bloating, and NAFLD by balancing digestive energy and supporting gastrointestinal function.
Menstrual and Reproductive Health: Experience treating menstrual cramps, regulating menstrual cycles, fertility, and IVF/ART treatment support.
Allergies and Respiratory Conditions: Experience treating asthma, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis by improving lung function and boosting the immune response.
Postoperative and Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea: Can offer effective treatments to reduce nausea and vomiting following surgery or chemotherapy.