Acupuncture/Erb's palsy

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Expert: - 9/6/2011


Question
Sir, Do you have treatment for erb's palsy? (Birth injury - left hand poor grip power). I have consulted may allopathy doctors. Did't get good recovery. can you help me? Now he is 6 yrs old. Had only partial improvement.

Answer
Dear Sakthiya,

I am sorry that your son had this injury.  As you know, Erb's palsy is an injury to the nerves at the base of the neck and in the shoulder.  It can have varying degrees of severity ranging from loss of sensation, reduced muscle strength, to disfiguring arm paralysis. Unfortunately, there is no definitive treatment.  Usually, any improvement occurs during the first year; after that, the condition stabilizes since nerves do not regrow very well after infancy.  In this type of injury acupuncture is of no benefit.  

If your son is having painful spasm in his supraspinatus muscle then acupuncture might benefit reduction of spasm, however it will do nothing for the underlying injury.

I wish that I could provide a more hopeful outlook.  Acupuncture can be exceptionally useful with some injuries, however in my opinion it would not be useful in this case.

Often, the very best medicine is a mother's love and for your son to know that he is accepted for who he is despite the injury.

I wish you peace, harmony, and Love in all aspects of life - -

Mike Zanoni
Hawaii  

Acupuncture

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Michael M. Zanoni, MS, LAc

Expertise

I am knowledgeable about severe and chronic pain from musculoskeletal or neurological conditions, especially trauma, headache, and fibromyalgia. I can provide guidance that will assist healing and recovery after illness or surgery. I have a particular interest in long-term chronic conditions that are becoming progressively worse or intermittently severe (such as viral hepatitis, Crohn's, or Takayasu syndrome.) I have extensive experience treating endocrine disorders, such as diabetes or thyroid problems, where the primary condition is being monitored by a Western-trained physician, and cancer where there are specific treatment goals other than cure (e.g., decrease of pain; reduction of side effects of radiation and chemotherapy; lessening of edema; palliative treatment of associated conditions.) I do not treat or answer questions about infertility, ALS, or senile dementia.

Experience

I have practiced Oriental medicine for over fourteen years in a variety of settings. Much of my practice has centered around a busy clinic specializing in severe long-term chronic pain conditions and palliative care. For several years I worked in a hospice program. I also established a non-profit community clinic providing care to under-served and homeless patients. My work has found me in an HIV clinic in San Francisco, a busy private practice in Oregon, to traveling on muddy 4-wheel drive roads to see dying patients. I now teach acupuncture and Oriental medicine at a school in Hawaii.

Education/Credentials
My training was at the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in San Francisco where I received a master’s degree in Chinese Medicine. I have current board certifications in Oriental Medicine, Acupuncture, and Chinese Herbology from the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. I also have certifications in Chinese tui na bodywork, Physical Rehabilitation Training, and biofeedback. I am licensed to practice acupuncture and Oriental medicine in Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, and Montana. I also have BA, MS, and PhD degrees in subjects not directly related to Oriental medicine.

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