Dr. Carol Revak NMD

Acupuncturist

8600 E Rockcliff Rd Tucson AZ, 85750 Show map

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Carol Revak is an acupuncturist practicing in Tucson, AZ. Dr. Revak evaluates and treats patients based on the concepts of oriental medicine. Acupuncturists complete their evaluations by getting a patient history and looking at and touching the body. Then, they place very fine acupuncture needles into specific points on the body. Stimulating these points and nerves is how Dr. Revak treats the patients condition. Many of the bodys systems respond to acupuncture, and it can treat physical pain as well as emotional stress.

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Dr. Carol Revak NMD

Dr. Carol Revak NMD's Expert Contributions

My Answers

Does acupuncture help knee pain?
In general, knee pain responds well to acupuncture. Needle placement depends on the style used. Local points at the knee are often supplemented with other points on the body. Ear points can also be added as all the structures of the body are represented on the ear. Acupuncture encourage the flow of qi and blood, which are often considered "stagnant" in pain syndromes. Often applying a heated herb or infrared lamp during the acupuncture treatment can increase pain relief. READ MORE
Does acupuncture relieve depression symptoms?
A 2013 study demonstrated that acupuncture can cause your brain to release and balance neurochemicals that affect mood, including the “happy” chemical serotonin. A 2014 study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that electroacupuncture—in which a mild electric current is transmitted through the needles—was just as effective as fluoxetine (the generic name of Prozac) in reducing symptoms of depression. Acupuncture, when done in conjunction with anti-depressant medications helps the drug treatment work faster to improve mood. READ MORE
Does acupuncture relieve arthritis pain?
Chinese medicine has such a thorough understanding of arthritis, that joint pain falls under a special category called "Bi Syndrome." Acupuncture along with Chinese herbal formula has helped improve many types of joint dysfunction for centuries. A main reason for acupuncture’s successful treatment of arthritis results from the traditional way of viewing the body from it’s root imbalances. It restores the flow of qi and blood to increase joint mobility, while releasing any “pathogenic factors” (wind, cold, damp or heat) that cause pain and inflammation. Mechanisms of pain reduction include increasing the body’s natural pain-reducing chemicals (endorphins), blocking pain signals from the nervous system to the brain and generally relaxing body and mind. When appropriate, a practitioner will also apply heat through a far-infrared lamp or a Moxa stick (dried mugwort) to increase the success of the treatment. READ MORE
Which is better for back pain: acupuncturist or chiropractor?
It depends on the reason for your back pain. Both can be effective, however chiropractic may be the best choice if there is misalignment in your spine which can be corrected by an adjustment. Acupuncture is great if there is restriction to blood flow, muscle tension and for many other conditions. If you have the option, having both therapies can be the fastest route to pain relief. READ MORE
Does acupuncture hurt the first time?
Depending on the style used, acupuncture can be quite painless. If there is an area of constricted blood flow or qi (energy) flow, you may feel a temporary dull sensation with needling. This is a positive sign that flows are being restored and you are on your way for relief of your back pain. READ MORE
Will acupuncture help with knee pain?
In general, knee pain responds well to acupuncture. Needle placement depends on the style used. Local points at the knee are often supplemented with other points on the body. Ear points can also be added as all the structures of the body are represented on the ear. Adding Chinese herbs to the treatment plan can enhance the outcome. READ MORE
Does acupuncture hurt?
Acupuncture can be quite painless but the degree of sensation with needling depends on several factors - the style of acupuncture practiced (Chinese, Korean, Japanese, etc), the types of needles used, the method employed by the acupuncturist (vigorous needle manipulation or not), the pain threshold of the patient. Discuss your concerns with your acupuncturist before your session so that your treatment can be tailored to your comfort. READ MORE
How often does acupuncture cause bacterial infections?
All acupuncture is done in accordance with what is termed "clean needle technique". Acupuncture needles are sterile and come in sealed packages and are disposed of after each use. With "local" acupuncture, needles are placed in an area of concern, but there is another style that places needles in areas remote from the problem. No need to wait! READ MORE
Is acupuncture safe for people with hemophilia?
With acupuncture, the "magic" lies in the body's acupoints, not in the needles. The needles merely offer a way to access the body's energy system and there are other ways to access acupoints that don't puncture the skin. You might consider receiving Acupressure or Acutonics (tuning forks on the acupuncture points) or laser "acupuncture". It is probably best to avoid the needles with bleeding disorders. READ MORE
Should I consider acupuncture for anemia?
There are many different types of anemia resulting from different causes. With iron-deficiency anemia, there are acupoints that have been used historically to address iron-deficiency type anemia. A new study supports this belief as study results show that acupuncture can upregulate serum ferritin and decrease total iron binding capacity, which is high in patients with iron deficiency anemia. READ MORE
Do you need a diagnosis to get acupuncture?
Chinese Medicine treatment plans are based on a different diagnostic model called the four pillars - looking, listening, touching, asking. Although a Western diagnosis can be factored into a treatment plan, it is not necessary in order to receive acupuncture. READ MORE
Is acupuncture safe?
Acupuncture has a long history in the successful treatment of pain syndromes. There are no prohibitions in treating pain along the left side of the body. If you are concerned about having a needle placed into an area of pain, there are other options such as using distal points, ear acupuncture, hand acupuncture, etc. READ MORE
Will acupuncture help my knee pain?
Depending on the nature of the injury, acupuncture can be a great choice to treat chronic knee pain. Acupuncture encourage the flow of qi and blood, which are often considered "stagnant" in pain syndromes. Often applying a heated herb or infrared lamp during the acupuncture treatment can increase pain relief. READ MORE
Is tiredness normal after acupuncture?
Sometimes people feel more energized after an acupuncture session and other times people can feel quite tired afterwards. Both are normal responses that reflect what the body needed at the time of the acupuncture session. Feeling fatigue is an indication that the body is cleansing and eliminating toxins and may last for a few days. Let yourself relax during the healing process while the wisdom of body brings you into a state of greater balance. READ MORE
What can acupuncture do for the muscles?
From the perspective of Chinese Medicine, spasms and cramps in the muscles are considered to result from stagnation of qi (energy) and blood. Acupuncture has been used throughout the ages for treating muscle spasms by needling acupoints that promote the free flow of qi and blood to release the stagnation. In addition, studies have shown that acupuncture promotes the body’s release of natural anti-inflammatory steroids as well as pain relieving endorphins. READ MORE
I take blood thinners regularly. Is acupuncture dangerous for me?
There is always a slight risk of some bleeding when puncturing the skin with a needle, even when a patient is not taking blood thinners. However, the acupuncturist’s extensive training in needling techniques and knowledge of the body and the acupoints minimize risk. A PubMed (National Institute of Health Medical Library) article from 2015 examined 384 patients on blood thinners who collectively received nearly 3974 acupuncture treatments. One moderate bleeding event occurred in 3974 treatments (0.003%). The researchers concluded that acupuncture appears to be safe in anti-coagulated patients, assuming appropriate needling location and depth. READ MORE
What does "Qi" mean in acupuncture?
In simple terms, qi denotes energy. As an example, fatigue is considered to be a deficiency of qi. There are two basic type of qi - the energy a person gets from the parents (congenital qi) and the energy a person gets from food eaten and from the air taken in (acquired qi). While there are other subdivisions of qi that guide the acupuncturist in defining the source of a person’s imbalance, it is likely that your acupuncturist was referring to qi in the broadest sense as energy. READ MORE
When should I get acupuncture treatment for fertility?
According to Chinese Medicine, infertility issues can be due to various underlying pattern imbalances such as a deficiency or stagnation imbalance in an acupuncture channel or organ. Your question demonstrates why acupuncture is so effective for enhancing fertility, as each case is treated individually, according to the specific imbalance. So, you can book an initial appointment anytime. Then your acupuncturist will determine the best time for your session after assessing your (or your husband’s!) pattern imbalance. READ MORE
Does acupuncture raise blood pressure?
I have personally seen acupuncture to only have the effect of decreasing blood pressure and this is a well reported outcome. However, if your friend was anxious about needling, it might have been a sympathetic nervous response to the treatment, or an unknown mechanism operating within your friend, or something else entirely. READ MORE
Chronic constipation. Should I go for acupuncture?
Acupuncture tends to be relaxing and promote the function of the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), also referred to as 'Rest and Digest'. The PNS also increases intestinal and gland activity, and relaxes sphincter muscles in the gastrointestinal tract. A recent study done in China with over 1000 people demonstrated that acupuncture with electrical stimulation is a valid treatment option for people suffering from chronic constipation. READ MORE