Dr. Dustin Vaughan is a doctor of acupuncture and Chinese medicine, NCCAOM board-certified diplomate of Oriental medicine, and licensed acupuncture physician. He is also a licensed paramedic with experience in emergency departments, level 1 trauma centers, and as a first responder with the fire service. After 15+ years practicing emergency medicine, he retired from the fire service to pursue a dream of blending his experience in Western medicine with Eastern medicine to provide an integrative, holistic approach to health and wellness. Dr. Vaughan owns an integrative sports-medicine practice in Clermont, Fla. where he enjoys working with athletes to help them achieve their goals, maintain wellness, prevent injury, and recover from injury and trauma to perform at their best. However, his practice is not exclusive to athletes because injuries and the need for mobility are not exclusive to athletes. His kinesiology background and certifications emphasize movement and mobility, which can be a concern for anyone at any age.
One of the longest nerves in the body is known as the vagus nerve (VN). The VN is the 10th pair of cranial nerves that originates at the brain stem in the medulla oblongata. This nerve is part of the parasympathetic nervous system, which is a part of the ANS. Research suggests ear acupuncture can activate the VN.
Migraines are unilateral, throbbing headaches, often with concurrent nausea, photophobia, and phonophobia. Approximately 10% of the global population suffers from migraines, with women more than three times as likely as men to experience them. Medication remains a mainstay treatment option, making nondrug alternatives critical to safer practices. New research suggests auricular acupuncture may be one such alternative.
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How much training in gua sha did you get in acupuncture school? If it was not much more than an introduction, now is the time to revisit this powerful healing modality. I’ve found gua sha to be one of my go-to skills to address myofascial dysfunction, all sorts of pain, limited range of motion, and even to promote general well-being. Let’s discuss the keys to effective gua sha treatment, which I hope will get more acupuncturists using it in the clinic.