How Does Acupuncture Help Relieve Back Pain
Now that you know a little bit more about what is behind this therapy, you probably want to know how it relieves pain in the body. Acupuncture works with your natural pain-relieving systems to reduce discomfort, swelling, and tension. It is all thanks to chemicals found within your body known as endorphins.
It works like this: As the needles pierce through your skin, they send a signal to your nervous system to release the endorphins, or pain relief chemicals, throughout your body. At the same time, endorphins also work to enhance your mood and prevent mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. While you will feel a decrease in pain in areas like your neck or your lower back, you may also feel a boost of energy or a feeling of peace during your session.
Since acupuncture pathways are in places where nerves, muscles, and connective tissues are located, stimulation of these areas increases blood flow, which helps to drive oxygen and nutrients to the area. This helps to relieve pain over time, while also assisting in the natural healing of your muscles and connective tissue.
What To Expect When You Take Acupuncture For Back Pain For The First Time
First, you are made to lie on a treatment table.The practitioner then will use alcohol to swab a few areas of your body before inserting the needles on accurate acupoints. The number of needles required, and where and how they need to be inserted depends on the condition and location of your back pain.
The acupuncturist will leave the needles inserted at the respective places for several minutes to an hour, and hell try to adjust them from time to time to maintain a proper energy flow between the points. He may also warm or electrify the needles to do so. If the practitioner uses electricity, then you might experience a tingling sensation. However, the electrical impulse generated should be mild.
How Acupuncture Helps Chronic Pain
Pain is one of the most common reasons people see health care providers and it has been estimated that up to 80% of the worlds population will suffer from back pain at some point in their lives, with the lower back as the most common location of pain. Episodes of low back pain can last less than two weeks, research has shown that recurrence rates for low back pain can reach as high as 50% in the first few months following an initial episode.
Q: Can Acupuncture significantly decrease back pain?
A: Absolutely.. Acupuncture works extremely well for treating any type of pain, especially back pain. Acupuncture helps with increasing circulation through the back and decreasing any inflammation while loosening up major muscles in the back. If there are any bulging, slip discs, protruding discs, back strain, spastic muscles, or tight muscles, acupuncture can help with all of these conditions.
Q: Can acupuncture make my back pain worse?
A: Generally no, acupuncture is not going to make your back pain worse. However, sometimes there are cases where if the practitioner is too aggressive or the positioning on the acupuncture table maybe uncomfortable, it can cause some pain when you get off the table. Just make sure your practitioner is not too aggressive during your first treatment.
Q: How many Treatments will I need?
Q: Where will the point or needles be inserted for low back pain?
Q: How long is the treatment for back pain with acupuncture?
Q: How does acupuncture help back pain?
Also Check: How To Fix Lower Back Muscle Pain
Takeaway Tips By Dr Jyoti Sharma
- It is advised to move your thumb or fingers in a circular motion while applying firm yet gentle pressure on the points.
- The circular motion shall continue for five seconds at one point before moving to the next point.
- When you are applying acupressure to relieve stress, apply pressure on each point for three minutes.
- It is essential to listen to your body while using acupressure to them.
- If any of the points are sore to touch, give that part of the body a break.
Also Read:
Acupuncture For Related Conditions
Scientists also have studied whether acupuncture can help people with rarer forms of arthritis and other conditions that cause joint pain. Hereâs what they found:
- Fibromyalgia, a pain disorder, is sometimes confused with arthritis because it causes soreness all over the body. Thereâs not enough evidence to say acupuncture can help.
- Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that mainly affects the spine, although other joints can hurt, too. So far, studies canât say for sure that acupuncture helps people with this condition.
- Lupus is not a type of arthritis, but arthritis is one of its symptoms. More study is needed before researchers can say for sure whether acupuncture helps.
- Gout, a type of arthritis, usually affects the big toes, but it can cause pain in your ankles, knees, and feet. Scientists think that acupuncture might help ease pain from gout, but more research is needed to know for sure.
Also Check: How Do I Stretch Out My Lower Back
Physical Therapy In Austin Cedar Park Round Rock And Pflugerville Texas
The medical team here at Endeavor Physical Therapy & Wellness offers services that cover your whole body, from your shoulder to the spine, hips, knees, elbows, wrists, hands, and ankles. The services we offer include physical therapy, occupational therapy, hand therapy, and dry needling.
If you would like to schedule a consultation, contact us today by calling our friendly staff at 284-7192, or you may also request an appointment now by filling out our online form. We look forward to helping you find relief from your back pain.
Chronic Low Back Pain
I find in my clinic of 10 years and over 80,000 acupuncture treatments given that chronic low back pain responds the absolute best to acupuncture. We treat both acute low back pain and chronic low back pain with not only acupuncture but also cold laser, microcurrent, EMS, Tens, cupping, dry needling, and even herbal therapies. We are so much more than just acupuncture needles.
I hear from patients that they just have to live it This is not true nor acceptable. We have many tools and modalities to heal your back pain. I also hear that I have tried everything, and nothing helped We have a unique style of acupuncture that is second to none when it comes to clinical effectiveness.
Patients have told me Brad, I have had this before and it always goes away. This is great in the short term but in the long term? There is a serious issue that these flare-ups keep showing up. We always figure out the best to treat patients, so their pain doesnt come back.
You May Like: Can Being Constipated Cause Back Pain
So Now We Know What Points Can And Are Used But Can Acupuncture Help Back Pain
Now there is always a lot of debate in the Physio world regarding acupuncture, so we will try to look at this through the evidence and try to sum things up overall.
For acupuncture helping back pain:
Acupuncture is effective for the treatment of chronic pain and is, therefore, a reasonable referral option. Significant differences between true and sham acupuncture indicate that acupuncture is more than a placebo .Molsberger et al concluded that acupuncture can be an important supplement of conservative orthopaedic treatment in the management of chronic Low Back Pain.
- Results suggest that acupuncture is effective for some but not all types of pain. .
- Acupuncture should be considered for short term relief of pain in patients with chronic low back pain or osteoarthritis .
- Acupuncture may be more effective than medication for symptom improvement or pain in acute low back pain .
- Chronic low back pain: Acupuncture & conventional therapies improves pain & function more than conventional therapies alone .
- Consider offering a course of acupuncture needling comprising up to a maximum of 10 sessions over a period of up to 12 weeks .
Against acupuncture helping back pain:
Acupuncture: In a review of systematic reviews it was found there is insufficient evidence for positive recommendations . Leibing et al found a significant improvement by traditional acupuncture in chronic low back pain compared to routine care but not compared to sham-acupuncture.
Benefits Of Acupuncture As A Treatment Modality For Hip And Back Pain
Any kind of hip and back pain can adversely affect walking hence people should not hesitate to seek acupuncture treatment for faster pain relief. Hip pain has several causes the problems can range from joint pain, neurological issues to muscular problems. Irrespective of the source, acupuncture can successfully treat hip pain. Besides, back pain is also one of the top reasons people opt for acupuncture therapy. Medical research suggests that acupuncture is an effective tool for treating chronic back pain.
You May Like: What Causes Mid Back Pain On Left Side
Treatment Of Back Pain
Conventional treatment for back pain involves pain killers such as anti-inflammatory drugs . Pain is a messenger within the nervous system it’s showing you there is a problem. However, most people with back pain shoot the messenger by taking painkillers. Treatment for chronic pain involves taking opiate based pain killers, which can be addictive leading to the abuse of harder drugs such as heroin. Acupuncture offers a safer alternative as its non-addictive and stimulated acupuncture can beat a lot of pain medication in treating chronic pain.
Benefits Of Acupuncture For Back Pain
Acupuncture has stood the test of time due in part to its effectiveness at alleviating pain, particularly in the muscles and joints throughout the body. Practitioners of the acupuncture method cite the following points as the major benefits of acupuncture specifically as it relates to alleviating back pain:
- Stimulation of the Central Nervous System Inserting the special acupuncture needles into trigger points is believed to release chemicals found in the spinal cord, muscles, and brain. These chemicals are identified to relieve pain.
- Pain-Relief Chemicals Are Produced in the Body Similarly, acupuncture fosters the bodys natural ability to reduce pain and inflammation.
- Activation or Release of Neurotransmitters Neurotransmitters send signals to the brain to shut down the pain response caused by problems with the back. Acupuncture activates or releases several types of neurotransmitters.
- Electromagnetic Impulses Flow Through the Body In acupuncture theory, it is believed that electromagnetic impulses speed up the natural processes of healing and recovery, thereby eliminating back pain.
Don’t Miss: How To Lose Lower Back And Hip Fat
Will Acupuncture Cure My Back Pain
In many cases, yes, depending on the cause of your back pain. In some cases, maintenance visits are required, but for many patients, we see complete recoveries after a few 3-4 visits. Similar to western treatments, acupuncture will make your pain more manageable at first, but unlike western medicine, addiction or negative side effects are not a risk.
Take Care Of Your Back Pain With The Spine And Rehab Group Ny
Acupuncture can be an excellent alternative to pain medication to treat instances of back pain, but you need to remember that it can only alleviate pain, not address the cause. If the pain becomes too intense or is aggravated by acupuncture sessions, stop the treatment immediately and consult a doctor.
The Spine And Rehab Group has years of experience in providing personalized and effective solutions for back pain. We help our clients overcome and manage chronic or acute spinal conditions, with targeted treatments combined with an emphasis on excellent customer service. For more information on the services that we can provide for you, visit one of our New York clinics today.
You May Like: How To Help Muscular Back Pain
Lower Back Pain Has A Cost To The Economy Too On Average Each Person Suffering From Lower Back Pain Took An Estimated 187 Days Off Work Which Has Been Shown To Cost Employers Is 315
Now we already know that lower back pain needs to be treated with exercise-based therapy and the evidence highlights that this is the most effective approach. In some cases, even basic low-level exercises can be too painful to implement and this is why some pain relief in any form can be useful. The most common route is pain killers but certain therapies can be used to enable the exercise by temporarily lowering pain levels. Now everyone is different in what works best for them but one common treatment that I use and other physios use is acupuncture because in certain cases acupuncture can help back pain.
What Are Complementary & Alternative Therapies
Since acupuncture is a non-drug treatment, you can combine it with other safe therapies such as laser light therapy, heat therapy, or massage. Since you do not have to have a surgical procedure or take time to heal like after an invasive treatment, you can also complete your acupuncture sessions while you stay on track with your exercise plan.
Our Curavi light therapy belts are an excellent complementary therapy for acupuncture because they have no known adverse side effects and do not require the use of prescription medication. They are also safe enough to use with a variety of other non-surgical, non-pharmaceutical back pain treatments. Each device uses an innovative technology known as photobiomodulation therapy , formerly often referred to as low-level laser therapy for treating pain.
By wearing one of our three laser therapy belts for only 30 minutes per day, the medical-grade laser diodes will work to modulate pain and inflammation in your lower back, thereby reducing tension, tightness, and swelling. Choose from the CuraviUltra, which provides up to 420 mW of medical-grade laser light, the CuraviPlus, offering 800 mW of excellent coverage, and our premier device, the CuraviPro, providing you with 1000 mW of professional-grade coverage to relieve mild to moderate aches, spasms, and inflammation.
You May Like: How Long Can You Take Aleve For Back Pain
Acupuncture For Lower Back Pain Improved Quality Of Sleep And Pain Relief
A Swedish university hospital conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled study among 50 chronic low back pain patients. The patients randomly received manual acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, and mock transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.
Of the 34 patients who received acupuncture treatment, 16 felt a significant decrease in pain and experienced an improvement in quality of sleep, return to work, and analgesic intake.11.BH, C. . Acupuncture for chronic low back pain: a randomized placebo-controlled study with long-term follow-up. – PubMed – NCBI. Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11783809 .×
How Long Does An Acupuncture Session Last For Lower Back Pain
September 24, 2019 By Joshua Goldstein, Ridgewood Acupuncturist
How long do the effects of acupuncture last for lower back pain?
How long does an acupuncture last for lower back pain? Many peoplewant to know how long the effects of acupuncture lasts for lower back pain?
To answer youneed to know the 4 major factors can affect successful treatment of lower backpain using acupuncture.
Factor#1: Severe pain or chronic pain?
If you aretreating a severe pain or a chronic back pain like sciatica, if the pain is adaily occurrence expect to expect to feel a lot of relief within the first 12to 36 hours of the first visit, with a return of pain. Or expect to have smallresults the first visit and better results the second and third visits. You see during the intense flare up, the painwill reassert itself but you continue treating it until the pain starts to reduce.It is quite appropriate to treat two or even three days in a row, to reduce thepain levels. Over time the subsequent treatments help bring down the pain.
Factor#2: How often are you getting treated with acupuncture for lower back pain? Theneed for gaining momentum
Factor #3: How long your sessions last you tell us your rate of response
I know whenyou are in pain, you are impatient and want the instant results, but bodiesheal differently. As you continue treatments, the faster you get out of painfrom the previous session, and the longer your body holds onto the relief.
Factor#4: Sticking with your acupuncture treatments!
Read Also: When Is Back Pain Cancer
Press Into Your Outer Ankle On Urinary Bladder 62
Urinary Bladder 62 or “extending vessel” is said to release lumbar tension as well as stabilize the spirit mind, which makes this point, which can be found on the foot, a great choice to soothe anxiety caused by acute back pain. All lower foot points are excellent to treat back pain, which is why reflexology can be so useful in lumbar spasms.
Locate this point: This point is located in the fleshy depression directed under the lateral or outside ankle bone. Stimulating this point on both feet and then carrying on to massage firmly underneath the feet along the arches helps in relieving stiffness and inhibited range of motion along the spine.
You can mix and match the points mentioned above or follow the sequencethe order matters less than how you treat each. Touch the points with intention, and take your time. The technique will help alleviate immediate pain, and you can revisit it at any time, for more long-term help with back pain, contact our office located in Union Square, New York City, or find your local acupuncturist and get some needles!
Paige has created acupressure routines for many ails. Whether you’re feeling nauseated or hung over, experiencing allergies, can’t think clearly, have PMS symptoms like bloating and cramping, feel super tired, or can’t sleep, there’s an acupressure point for that! for her exclusive, live webinar on February 13 to get your personal acupressure questions answered!
How Acupuncture Helps Back Pain
Acupuncture is a traditional therapy based on the idea of energetics in the body.
Treatment consists of inserting needles at various pressure points on the body and through the skin. Needles are not meant to cause pain, harm, or discomfort.
A professional acupuncturist will target energy points for treatment. These are also called meridians, with some being of special benefit to painful nerves and muscles in the back.
There are a few qi meridians that an acupuncturist may focus on for back pain.
Some acupuncture points for lower back pain are:
- back of the knees points
- foot points
Also Check: Why Does My Lower Back And Legs Hurt
