- Pain Management - Athletic Enhancement -
MQT Acupuncture and Bodywork
Holistic Pain Management and Athletic Enhancement
Marc Weinrick
Acupuncturist
My first introduction to acupuncture came as the result of a severe injury while studying martial arts in South Korea. Acupuncture and its various adjunctive modalities enabled a swift recovery, and inspired me to seek a deeper understanding. This led me to Midwest College of Oriental Medicine where I received a Master of Science in Oriental Medicine and a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition. Followed by Pacific College of Oriental Medicine with certificates in both Massage Therapy, and Asian Body Therapy. Though my training was based heavily in traditional Chinese medicine, I remained fixated on the orthopedic/sport medicine applications.
I have trained with some of the foremost experts in sports acupuncture and orthopedics, enhancing my abilities to treat both chronic and acute conditions. Since beginning practice in 2008, I have refined my techniques to create a hybrid style that incorporates electricity-enhanced acupuncture, trigger points, dry needling, myofascial release, and kinetic chain activation. This enables me to create efficient and effective treatment plans for my patients.
Since my return to Marquette, MI, I have been involved in the creation of Trailhead Holistic Health Collective, a singular location that brings together specialists in the field of Holistic Medicine. Together we have been able to address some of the most complex and challenging presentations, and strive to provide the best possible outcomes to each and every person that finds their way to us.
In addition to my experience as a clinician, I have a passion for all outdoor activities that stem from my youth growing up in the Upper Peninsula. I am an avid world traveler, who enjoys cooking, home renovation, hiking, skiing, cycling, as well as gardening, and home brewing.
Why
Acupuncture?
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Headaches/ Neck Pain
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Back Pain/ Sciatica
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Leg/ Ankle/ Foot Pain
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Frozen Shoulder/ Rotator Cuff Injury
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Carpal Tunnel/ Arthritis
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Surgical Recovery/ Pre-Operative
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Tendonitis/ Inflammation
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Palliative/ Drug Free Alternative
Sports acupuncture was developed with an understanding of neurology and the functions of muscles. The first step to treatment with acupuncture is an assessment of which muscles may be contributing to the condition. Once this is defined, we are able to find the points in which nerves meet those muscles, known as motor points. When an acupuncture needle is used on a motor point, it causes a twitch response and releases tight contracted bands of muscle - like hitting a reset button on the muscle. This results in often immediate pain relief and improved muscle strength.
In addition to traditional dry needling acupuncture, I often incorporate soft tissue manipulation that can include cupping and Gua Sha to relieve pain, increase flexibility and mobility, and enhance daily and athletic performance. We begin with a thorough assessment and combine manual muscle testing and orthopedic testing to create a treatment plan that is tailor-made to your specific condition.
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How can orthopedic acupuncture help me?Acupuncture can improve performance, strength, flexibility, millisecond reaction time, and uncover hidden weaknesses and imbalances to prevent injury. Weakness in a muscle can be the result of tight, weak or shortened inhibited muscles. With orthopedic acupuncture I am able to reset and release these muscles, maximizing the muscle's ability to recover and function.
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What is bodywork?Clinical Bodywork is a term I use to define manual manipulation of the soft tissues of the body (muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and fascia). It is not to be confused with "massage". This is specifically targeting locations of disfunction, and manually breaking up adhesions/knots in order to restore proper function by whatever modalities will be most beneficial. Adjunctive therapies include: traditional fire-cupping, Gua Sha (Graston technique), or simple direct manual pressure.
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Is acupuncture painful?Acupuncture needles are as fine as a hair, so most of the time you won’t feel anything more than if you tapped a toothpick against your skin. If I am doing motor point release of a muscle, the desired response is for the muscle to twitch, helping to reset the tight or shortened muscle. This is usually painless or no more uncomfortable than the pain you are already experiencing. If you want to try acupuncture but are nervous, just let me know and we can start with adjunctive therapies such as bodywork, cupping or Gua Sha, and ease into acupuncture as you become more comfortable.
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Do you do Dry Needling?Yes I do. I have been doing dry needling for years, and have spent a great deal of time and effort to safely administer this modality.
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Do you reuse needles?No, never! Every needle is single-use, and fully sterilized. They are made of surgical grade stainless steel and are very, very strong. They get used once, and then properly disposed of.
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Do I need a doctors referal for acupuncture?Patients do not need a referral to be treated with acupuncture. However, some private insurance companies do require a doctor’s referral. Please check with your private insurance company before making an appointment.
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Do you accept insurance?No. I do not bill insurance directly. However, if your insurance plan does cover acupuncture, I can provide receipts that contain all the nessessary information for you to seek reimbursment. Another option that many people choose to use is an HSA or FSA card. If you do not have one of those options, then I accept payment in cash, check or credit card.
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How many sessions will I need?You will often feel improvement from the very first session. However, because every patient case varies, timelines can be provided following an initial assessment. As a general rule of thumb, the following holds true: - For more minor, non-chronic injuries or movement challenges, we can see dramatic improvement within 4-6 sessions. - For more major or chronic injuries or movement issues, we ballpark around 10-12 sessions. - For severe or long-term chronic issues, it may take up to 20 sessions to see a significant resolution of your symptoms.
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What should I wear?It is best to wear comfortable, loose clothing. If we are working on the lower body, wear shorts. If we are working on the shoulder, neck or midback area, wear a tank top with access to the area that hurts.
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What should I do after treatment?Rest, relax, and recover. I usually recommend drinking additional water to help the body recover. It is not uncommon to have slight post-workout type soreness for up to 48 hours following treatment, and I find that this is lessened by rest, gentle range of motion exercises, water and Epsom salt baths. The magnesium in Epsom salt is great for muscle relaxation, and the heat of a bath helps increase circulation and expedite recovery.
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Why choose MQT Acupuncture and Bodywork?I combine manual muscle testing and orthopedic assessment with Chinese medicine and acupuncture. Together they allow me to create the perfect treatment plans for my patients. I have had the great fortune of working with world class athletes trying to increase performance, professional musicians recovering from repetitive use injury, and dancers recovering from traumatic injury. Pain effects us all, and it doesnt matter if your career is on the line, or your personal comfort. It still hurts. My goal is to see improvment immediately following treatment, and I am pleased to say that this holds true for over 95% of the people I have worked with.
- TESTIMONIALS -
Kurt F.
I woke up today and went for a run, and my foot feels better than it has in months. Very pleased with the work you've done for me. Thanks
Kelly L.
After a day of hard climbing, I fully expected to pay the price. I didn't have to take anything, just stretched, and I could raise my arms almost straight up with no pain. Thanks
Jeanie W.
Marc, just got done with my run. All I can say is AMAZING! Legs felt fabulous. I pushed the pace a bit at the end and they felt really good. Thank you for your great work.
Dawn L.
Just finished the marathon, and am pleased to say my knee never hurt. Not even once, and it still feels great even now. Thanks for getting me to the starting line healthy, so I could enjoy the race of a lifetime!
Carol W.
Oh my Gosh! Thank you! My hips just came alive! I feel all the muscles engaging like they haven't in years. Before, they felt dense, solid, and heavy. All I wanted to do was sit. Now I can move, move, move!
- CONTACT -
MQT Acupuncture and Bodywork
307 S Front St. Suite 110
Marquette, MI 49855