It Releases Healing Chemicals And Natural Opioids
Acupuncture helps stimulate the central nervous system, which triggers the release of beneficial chemicals such as endorphins and serotonin into a patient’s muscles, spinal cord and brain. These chemicals work to lower and even eliminate a patient’s back pain, promoting overall wellness. It also helps release natural opioids within the body, and these chemicals specifically help to lessen any pain experienced. Because acupuncture treatment works to improve energy and restore a person’s biochemical balance, this option helps stimulate the body’s natural healing abilities and promotes both physical and emotional wellness.
Acupunture And The Active Person
Acupuncture offers the active person many ways to complement their training program. In Chinese philosophy, yin and yang are the two polar, yet complimentary, opposites, much like the positive and negative aspects of an electric charge. For the active person, yin would be rest and recovery while yang relates to competing and performing. Also, the training period could be yin and competition and game day could be yang. Acupuncture can be incorporated into both of these components of the athletic experience as a measure of preventive alternative medicine.
For example:
- acupuncture has been known to resolve pain, accelerate healing and increase range of motion. It achieves this by decreasing inflammation, swelling and bruising, relaxing muscles, relieving spasms and lowering the bodys pain response and improving circulation.
- Acupuncture strengthens the immune system by increasing the bodys level of T-cells
- Acupuncture has been known to speed up recovery time and the healing process.
And, there are virtually no side-effects to acupuncture!
Acupuncture is a complement to our other healthcare services and helps patients achieve optimal health.
Effects On The Nervous System
The body responds to pain in varying degrees. Because the needles used for acupuncture arent serious enough to merit a full-on nervous response from your body, theyre thought to influence the nervous system in other ways. One theory is that the trigger points or meridians used in acupuncture actually help stimulate the nervous system by activating its response in a way that helps manage the pain.
Acupuncture may influence your brain by having it react to the specific trigger points each time a needle is inserted, so your nervous system either compensates or focuses on that point rather than the site thats causing you active pain. Again, these effects are only temporary, but its possible to find relative short-term pain relief with repeated sessions.
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What Does Acupuncture Feel Like
Acupuncture is done using hair-thin needles. Most people report feeling minimal pain as the needle is inserted. The needle is inserted to a point that produces a sensation of pressure or ache. Needles may be heated during the treatment or mild electric current may be applied to them. Some people report acupuncture makes them feel energized. Others say they feel relaxed.
Improper placement of the needle can cause pain during treatment. Needles must be sterilized to prevent infection. That is why it is important to seek treatment from a qualified acupuncture practitioner. The FDA regulates acupuncture needles just as it does other medical devices under good manufacturing practices and single-use standards of sterility.
Instead of needles, other forms of stimulation are sometimes used over the acupuncture points, including:
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How Can Acupuncture Help For Lower Back Pain
When assessing acupuncture treatments for back pain, first it is important to assess which muscles and structure are causing or contributing to your lower back pain. We then use acupuncture to target those areas, relax tight muscles, improve circulation and reduce pain.
The points we generally use will be typically below the elbows and knees so that we know we cant further injure your sore lower back. We do this to make sure you are safe, but also it allows us to check back in and make sure things are improving throughout the treatment. We look for improvements in pain and/or range of motion immediately on the table.
We may also suggest Chinese herbal medicine to help further reduce inflammation and improve circulation, as well as improve sleep and digestion so that your body is healing and recovering better in general.
Our goal is always to get you back on your feet and doing the things you love, as soon as possible.
To find out if Chinese acupuncture might be able to help for your lower back pain, please contact us or book online using the links and information below.
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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.
Points To Consider About Acupuncture
If other treatments have failed and you are considering acupuncture, discuss it with your doctor. Be sure to let your doctor know any other medications you are taking. Also tell your doctor if you are pregnant, wear a pacemaker, or have any type of implant.
Your doctor may be able to refer you to a licensed acupuncturist. You may also contact the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture for the name of a doctor who does acupuncture.
Before starting acupuncture, find out if your health insurance will pay for it. Also ask how many treatments you should expect and how much they will cost.
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Acupuncture For Lower Back Pain What The Science Says
Acupuncture for lower back pain does it really work? If youve been sedentary for so long or worked at a job that requires you to sit for long hours, then you know this to be true:
Backaches can be a total pain.
And were not talking about the kind of discomfort that subsides after taking a pain medication. Were talking about the kind of soreness that
keeps you awake at night.
makes you unproductive at work because you cant concentrate.
turns your life into a miserable mess.
So if youve been suffering from back pain, then you must have tried pretty much every conventional treatment available, right?
Pain medications, physical therapy, cortisone injections, and in serious cases, spinal surgerythese are some methods that treat back pain caused by lifestyle and injury.
But like most treatments, they work up to a certain extent only. And if the pain persists after going through the conventional treatments available, what do you do?
When To Consider A Session
“Typically, if a patient isn’t getting better if back pain has persisted for three months or so then acupuncture or other nonpharmacological therapies should be considered, says Karen Sherman, senior investigator at Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute in Seattle.
The American College of Physicians recommended a similar approach back in 2017, when it advised doctors to treat patients with low-back pain with nondrug therapies that included superficial heat, massage, acupuncture, or spinal manipulation.”
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Scoliosis Pain And Acupuncture
I know that a chiropractor once tried to tell me I had scoliosis. It was a few years ago and I found it odd since I have used acupuncture treatment for scoliosis back pain with many patients and knew I didnt have it. Occasionally a client shares someone told them theyre back pain is caused by a curved spine. Their spine seemed fine. The truth be told we all have a slight bend in our spine.
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Dr Jyoti Sharma Explains How You Can Benefit From The Art Of Acupuncture At Home
- Put your hands on your waist and find your spine. Come over on each side of your spine. You can either press the specified area with a thumb, or you could press the area with fingertips as well. Since you are standing, your feet are steady. The same procedure can be repeated by leaning the back slightly backwards.
- The next muscle to be addressed is in the middle of each buttock. Put your palms over there and press gently. It can also manage pain due to the sciatic nerve.
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- The next you have to go is going in the front region four -fingers under your belly-button. Press a little gently there, and you can experience a sort of connection with relieving your back pain. This technique also helps in relieving menstrual cramps.
- Sit on a stool. Take your fingers behind the leg and just below the knee and press your calf muscles gently. Remember not to be too hard while pressing.
Here is a tip, dont press directly on your spine!
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How Effective Is Acupuncture For Treating Lower Back And Upper Back Pain
Opinion is mixed on how effective acupuncture is. Many scientists are sceptical because traditional acupuncture is not backed up by scientific evidence it aims to restore the flow of life-force, or Qi, around the body.
However, the kind practiced by healthcare providers is known as Western medical acupuncture, which is based entirely on scientific evidence showing its ability to stimulate nerves in skin and muscle tissue , releasing pain-relieving endorphins. This can be beneficial for certain conditions such as osteoarthritis and lower back pain, especially when used to complement traditional pain relief methods.
Should Only Visit Trained Acupuncturists
One of the more persistent risks with acupuncture is the possibility of going through sham acupuncturists. Sham acupuncture is basically acupuncture performed by someone who isnt trained or licensed usually by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine . If youre going to an acupuncturist, make sure that they have their proper qualifications before agreeing to any session with them.
The most important reason as to why you should do this is because acupuncture has considerable risks when performed by someone who isnt trained. Some problems and complications include nerve damage, excessive bleeding, puncture of internal organs, and overall pain and discomfort. A trained acupuncturist will know what sites needles can be inserted safely, and can also advise aftercare when the session is done.
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Acupuncture For Lower Back Pain Show More Pain Relief Better Quality Of Life And Disability Recovery
Acupuncture was found to be effective in providing symptomatic relief of chronic low back pain in the meta-analysis of 13 randomized controlled trials. The 2,678 patients experienced better pain relief, disability recovery and quality of life compared to not having any treatment at all.22.Xu M, e. . Acupuncture for chronic low back pain in long-term follow-up: a meta-analysis of 13 randomized controlled trials. – PubMed – NCBI. Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23336503 .×
Massage For Spinal Stenosis
Physical therapy is another effective treatment for spinal stenosis. Massages, corrective exercises, and alternative approaches deliver significant outcomes in pain reduction and retrieval of the ability to move seamlessly. Massage therapies eliminate pain and stiffness caused by stenosis. Although it doesnt focus on the spine itself, there are numerous modalities of massages that focus on the back and back muscles. By using different massage styles, therapists can relax the back and ease discomfort caused by stenosis or any other problem.
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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.
How Does Acupuncture Treatment Relieve Chronic Back Pain
Have you ever heard of a tattoo high? This occurs when a person who receives a tattoo feels a rush of euphoria mid-way through their tattooing session.
Although much less intense than receiving a tattoo, the pain release from acupuncture is thought to work in much the same way.
During an acupuncture session, a licensed professional will insert between 4 30 needles into your back. Yet, on average, 6 8 will do the trick. The depth of the needle will be tailored to fit your condition. For example, deep tissue injuries, like muscle strains and sprains, will call for deeper needle access than surface injuries.
After about 20 minutes, your doctor will remove these thin needles and insert more. But, its what happens next, in the middle of your 1-hour session, thats interesting.
As the minutes tick by, your body responds by releasing endorphins, the bodys natural form of opioids or pain-relievers. Endorphins work to dampen neck and back pain. Simultaneously, acupuncture fires up the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. These structures labor to create even more chemicals that blunt how we experience pain.
In addition to needling, your doctor may also use the following therapies to jump start your pain relief:
- Electrotherapy, or running a weak current through the needle to relax the muscles
- Cupping, or using suction cups to increase the flow of blood to key areas
- Moxibustion, or using an herb to warm up the needle
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What Does Research Say About Acupuncture
Acupuncture shows very positive results for treating back pain with little risk of side effects. A 2012 study involved 20,000 people with chronic pain. The subjects were given real acupuncture, fake acupuncture and no acupuncture at all. Those who received the real acupuncture treatments showed a 50% improvement.
Other researchhas shown that acupuncture clinically relieves chronic pain, and these effects persist over time. It is mentioned that the effects shown in this research cannot be explained by the placebo effect alone. It was also stated that acupuncture is a reasonable treatment option for chronic pain sufferers.
At Integrity Physio, we perform dry needle therapy, and if you would like to learn more about dry needling in Perth, contact our helpful staff today.
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Acupuncture Can Target Lower Back Pain And General Back Pain
Acupuncture Treatment for lower back and general back pain usually involves the following acupuncture points:
- Lower back point
Although you may not realize, all these areas are connected through passageways . Your Acupuncturist can use any of these points to alleviate lower and general back pain. Its a matter of finding which point works best for you or a group of points that work best for you. Many of the points can be found in areas near the spine, which correlate with the region of pain.
In medical studies, Acupuncture has been shown to help alleviate muscle spasms, decreasing a patients overall lower back pain. After treatments, patients typically feel their range of motion is improved.
Acupuncture also releases the stress and pressure that cause lower back pain and general back pain. Researchers believe that this is from the release of endorphins. As far as most medical research goes, endorphins are responsible for the relief of pain and they enhance feelings of happiness and relaxation. There is not a definitive answer as to whether or not this research is true for all Acupuncture treatments, but it does explain the decrease in pain.
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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.
How Can Acupuncture Help Back Pain
Back pain is more common than you think. A study found that it affects around 1 in 10 people worldwide. Some studies have concluded that almost 80% of adults will experience back pain at some point in their lives.
Many people with chronic back pain struggle with maintaining their daily routine. They are unable to participate in their favorite activities and may report a lower quality of life.
In some cases, back pain can cause bladder problems or is accompanied by a fever.
Causes and Risk Factors
Back pain can result from a muscle, ligament, or tendon strain caused by an injury or incorrect posture. It is prevalent among people whose jobs involve lifting heavy weight.
Other common reasons include structural issues such as bulging or ruptured discs, arthritis, osteoporosis, infections and injuries.
Older adults, people who carry extra weight, individuals with psychological conditions, chain smokers, and those with sedentary lifestyles are at high risk for back pain.
How can Acupuncture Help?
Many people with chronic back pain use acupuncture to manage their condition and improve their range of motion.
Several studies have found that acupuncture may relieve back pain. It is safer than many other treatment modalities that use medications. There are no major side effects of acupuncture. It can be used as an adjunct to several other modalities or as a standalone therapy.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
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