Santa Cruz Acupuncture Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Clinic

Acupuncture Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

Common conditions treated with AOSM

What methods are used in AOSM?

Anthony Von der Muhll’s training and experience in AOSM

Goals for treatment with Acupuncture Orthopedics & Sports Medicine:

- To relieve pain and suffering and to restore function as quickly and completely as possible, so that you can enjoy your work, play and quality of life.
- To activate self-healing abilities through health education, exercise, and dietary and lifestyle strategies, so that you can self-manage conditions and prevent relapses and new injuries.

What is Acupuncture Orthopedics and Sports Medicine for?

Acute out-patient pain and injuries (patients with medical emergencies should call 911 or seek urgent care prior to acupuncture treatment).
Sub-acute injury rehabilitation
Pre- and post-surgical care
Chronic and recurrent pain management

I am experienced at treating a wide variety of common conditions with Acupuncture Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, including:

Ankle injuries
Arthritis & degenerative joint disease
Back pain
Bursitis and apophysitis (calcaneal, hip, knee, shoulder)
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Complex regional pain syndrome
Elbow pain (tennis and golfer’s elbow)
Facial pain
Headaches (migraine, tension)
Knee & IT band pain
Muscle tension, pain, stiffness and spasms
Myofascial pain syndrome
Neck pain
Overuse /overtraining and repetitive strain injuries
Patello-femoral and Ilio-tibial band pain syndromes
Plantar fasciitis
Rotator cuff syndrome
Sciatica, radiculitis and piriformis syndrome
Spinal disc and nerve root injuries
Shoulder pain
Tendonitis (ankle, elbow, foot, forearm, hand, knee, shoulder)
TMJ syndrome
Whiplash syndrome
Wrist and hand pain

(see full list of conditions treated).

What methods does Acupuncture Orthopedics & Sports Medicine use?

Acupuncture Orthopedics & Sports Medicine:

Addresses root causes of pain and disability
Uses minimally-invasive acupuncture modalities to provide comprehensive and holistic treatment
Complements clinical treatment with home exercise and self-care to empower patients to maintain health

In addition to traditional, merdian-based acupuncture (“Traditional Chinese Medicine”), I employ modern science-based acupuncture orthopedics & sports medicine techniques and modalities, including:

Neuro-anatomical, dry needling and trigger-point acupuncture and electro-acupuncture
Manual therapies (acupressure, sports massage, tui na)
Suction cupping and gua sha friction therapy
Facilitated stretching, gentle joint mobilization, kinesio-taping, and neuromuscular re-training
Dietary and nutritional supplement prescription
Electro-therapy (electro-acupuncture, Alpha-stimulation, and microcurrent)
Exercise therapy, including sports conditioning and qi gong

What’s different about Acupuncture Orthopedics and Sports Medicine?

Acupuncture Orthopedics and Sports Medicine are specializations within the field of acupuncture and Traditional Oriental Medicine. AOSM focusses on neuro-musculoskeletal pain and injuries, and requires advanced training in and integration of traditional and contemporary Chinese Medicine with modern Western Medicine, for optimal patient care and outcomes.

My training and experience in Acupuncture Orthopedics and Sports Medicine includes:

First graduate of the Integrative Sports Medicine Certification program at the Five Branches University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2003
Clinical Instructor in Five Branches’ Sports Medicine program since 2005
Diplomate of the National Board of Acupuncture Orthopedics in 2006
Fellowship, American Academy of Pain Management 2014
Over 17 years experience in physical rehabilitation, pain management and sports medicine clinics in San Francisco, San Diego, and Santa Cruz

My treatment goals go beyond short-term pain relief to re-training regarding posture, work ergonomics, and sports activities, and health education regarding nutrition and lifestyle choices, in order to restore and support full function–so that you are empowered to maintain health and prevent re-injury.