How Can Acupuncture Help With Back Pain
Acupuncture is an alternative approach and complementary practice that entails the professional insertion of hair-thin needles into specific points of the body. The purpose is to stimulate the bodys healing energy, alleviate pain, and treat a bevy of health conditions.
It has been a central feature of traditional Chinese medicine for more than 2,000 years, and it is arguably the most popular form of alternative medical treatment outside the conventional Western medical system. The beneficial effects of acupuncture are often reported to last longer than other types of nonsurgical methods of treatment, and many people who have back pain have experienced excellent results from undergoing acupuncture.
What To Do If Theres No Acupuncturist In Your Town
You should never try acupuncture on your own. Not only may it worsen your symptoms, Kempisty insists that wouldnt be a good way to balance your qi. Instead, Kempisty recommends Tai Chi, yoga, and meditation simple self-massage techniques to promote the flow of energy into your aroma and different parts of your body, if youre looking for ways to gain similar benefits at home. Pressing these points is known as acupressure.
Lisa Chan, LAc and certified reflexologist, provided some insight as to which points on your body you can massage on your own.
If youre experiencing menstrual cramps, for example, hold the hollow of your inner ankle with your thumb, using little or no pressure. This covers points K 3, 4, and 5. If youre having trouble sleeping, rub in circles the Yintang, located between the eyebrows, going clockwise, then counter-clockwise. To help ease lower back pain, Chan recommends pressing Du 26, the space between the middle of your nose and upper lip.
The most popular pressure point is the LI 4 , and for good reason. Pressing this point, located on the muscle between your thumb and index finger, is meant to help alleviate headaches, toothaches, stress, and facial and neck pain. Dont press this point if youre pregnant, unless youre ready for labor. In that case, it could help induce contractions.
Contact The International Spine Institute For Back Pain Relief
The experts at the International Spine Institute can diagnose your back pain and help you find solutions that address the source of your issue. We specialize in least-invasive spine procedures that have the lowest impact on your body possible. These treatments use advanced medical technology to address the cause of your back pain without large incisions. Let our specialists recommend the best course of action and refer you to reputable providers for treatments like acupuncture.
If you have persistent back pain that needs more than acupuncture alone, we can help. You may schedule a spine consultation using our online portal. We also encourage you to contact our team online if you have any questions.
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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.
Active Release Techniques For Back Pain
Active Release Techniques is a form of manual therapy for addressing injured muscles, ligaments, fasciae, tendons and nerves. ART treatment for lower back pain is different from typical massages because it involves specific depth and tension, which is crucial for obtaining the best results. ART is a quite comprehensive process that includes hundreds of protocols for treating every muscle, ligament, tendon, fascia, and nerve in the body. The entire ART process is focused on breaking up scar tissue to restore the function of the injured muscle, remove impairments, and help patients get rid of the pain. The ART system is a unique and incredibly efficient treatment. Licensed providers are trained to treat more than 300 muscular and facial injuries, as well as 100 nerve entrapments that often cause numbness and tingling. A patient may notice the results after 4 to 6 treatments apart from pain relief, they will see improvements in movement, posture, strength, and flexibility.
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Acupuncture For Neck Pain
You lead a hectic lifestyle. You must earn money, look after the house, keep the pets in check, and possibly look after children. That is why you do not have time to suffer from chronic, debilitating neck pain. That makes it hard to keep the position upright. Our team in Rivernorth Acupuncture Clinic makes it possible! With acupuncture treatments from acupuncture works, you can bid farewell to excruciating pain and reintroduce yourself to a life of happiness and relief. Contact our acupuncture team at Diamond Bar, CA today to learn more about our extensive acupuncture treatments or schedule an appointment.
Acupuncture is effective in treating certain types of neck pain, most notably those caused by whiplash. Acupuncture is shown to be effective in dealing with degenerative neck disorders. Its like spondylosis and cervical spondylosis in some studies. In many cases, acupuncture has helped patients whose conditions were resistant to conventional treatment. Acupressure and herbal medicine are occasionally combined.
20th of May, 2021 â Is acupuncture better for back and neck pain, or is massage treatment better? One recent massage study has been published, and different acupuncture is better. Your best bet is to make your guide your personal choice. Kim says, acupuncture is standard in the world. Western medicine is excellent and successful, but many are chronic. Success is lacking, and eastern medicine may be the right choice.
Whats the pain in the neck?
How Does Acupressure Help Relieve Back Pain
Various studies show how acupressure and other techniques can help people manage pain in a better way. This is why more people are leaning toward these alternate forms of medicine. Lower back pain can become distressing, often unbearablebut with acupressure and other relaxing massages, the people can get rid of chronic pain and feel better after regular sessions.
Heres a brief guide to acupressure and how this method aids in back ache relief.
What Is Acupressure?
Acupressure, also known as complementary and alternative medicine, comes from traditional Chinese medicine. Acupressure can be used instead of conventional, modern medicine, and even alongside them.
This treatment is similar to acupuncture, but instead of manipulating your body with needles, the practitioner uses their hands. Applying pressure to certain points on the body, known as acupoints, can be highly effective for eliminating pain.
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Acupuncture Safety And Regulation
There’s no statutory regulation of acupuncture in England.
If you choose to have acupuncture, it is recommended that you check the acupuncture practitioner is either a regulated healthcare professional such as a doctor, nurse or physiotherapist or a member of a national acupuncture organisation.
You can find an accredited register of acupuncture practitioners on the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care website.
When it’s done by a qualified practitioner, acupuncture is generally very safe. Rarely, some people experience mild, short-term side effects such as:
- pain where the needles puncture the skin
- bleeding or bruising where the needles puncture the skin
- drowsiness
- feeling dizzy or faint
- worsening of pre-existing symptoms
If you have a bleeding disorder, such as haemophilia, or are taking anticoagulants, talk to your GP before you have acupuncture.
Acupuncture is also not usually advised if you have a metal allergy or an infection in the area where needles may be inserted.
It’s generally safe to have acupuncture when you’re pregnant. However, let your acupuncture practitioner know if you’re pregnant because certain acupuncture points cannot be used safely during pregnancy.
Read more about the safety of complementary therapies in pregnancy.
Page last reviewed: 13 August 2019 Next review due: 13 August 2022
Not Covered By Medical Insurance
Acupuncture is typically not seen as a medical expense by many insurance companies. So if you run into an accident that involves your acupuncture sessions, its likely that it wont be covered by medical insurance. Even if the effects are close to medical-related injuries like bleeding or nerve damage, itll be an uphill battle to have any healthcare provider cover for expenses with treating them.
So if you are looking to get into acupuncture, keep in mind that you will need to provide your own insurance to make sure that youre protected in case things go awry. Again, getting to a licensed acupuncturist will significantly reduce the chance of the procedure going wrong.
These considerations should always be kept in mind when going to acupuncture. Despite all of its benefits and tangible improvements it can make for a patient, there is still much that hasnt been studied about acupuncture. For this reason, only consider it to treat low-risk and chronic conditions likelower back pain, and not as an active cure for these ailments.
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How Does It Work
TCM explains that health is the result of a harmonious balance of the complementary extremes of yin and yang of the life force known as Qi, pronounced chi. Advocates believe that illness is the consequence of an imbalance of these forces.
According to TCM, Qi flows through meridians, or pathways, in the human body. These meridians and energy flows are accessible through 361 acupuncture points in the body. Inserting needles into these points with appropriate combinations will bring the energy flow back into balance.
A 2017 review suggests that many acupuncture points are at sites where stimulation can affect the activity of multiple sensory neurons. These sites are also known as receptive fields.
The physical stimulation of needle insertion at these sites may affect pain processing in the central nervous system and muscles and increase blood flow to certain parts of the body.
All therapies come with both risks and benefits. A person should always seek medical advice before undertaking any therapy.
Possible risks of acupuncture are the following:
- Bleeding, bruising, and soreness may occur at the insertion sites.
- Unsterilized needles may lead to infection.
- In rare cases, a needle may break and damage an internal organ.
The Food and Drug Administration regulates acupuncture needles as medical devices. Their manufacture and labeling need to meet certain standards. The needles must be sterile, nontoxic, and labeled for one use only by a licensed practitioner.
How Does Acupuncture Help With Back Pain
Back pain can have many causes including improper lifting, poor posture, lack of regular exercise, and overuse. These issues can compound with time and lead to back pain conditions that include arthritis, degeneration, herniated discs, and pinched nerves.
“I pulled my back from lifting something heavy. It was so painful, I couldnt even roll out of bed. I came in for my weekly session and let them know about my back and after the session I felt relief. After a couple more sessions, I was back to my normal self.” – Jennifer
“Neck and back pain surprisingly diminished and then vanished. Would not have believed it. But what a difference to live in a body that is not hurting constantly. The experience was great. And I will be returning to make sure the discomfort does not return.” – David
For many suffering from back pain, conventional treatments including pain medication, physical therapy, and surgery have not provided long-term relief without unwanted side effects.
This is the reason why so many of our patients seek acupuncture treatment for the relief of chronic and acute low back pain.
The pain-relieving effects of Acupuncture have been well studied and continue to gain attention from the top research institutes around the world.
The American College of Physicians has issued a strong recommendation of using acupuncture as a first-line therapy for the treatment of low back pain.
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How Does Acupuncture Relieve Pain
During acupuncture, a specialist inserts very thin needles into your skin at certain points in the affected area. When a trained acupuncturist performs acupuncture, you should feel little to no pain from the needles. The acupuncturist may move, heat or apply electrical pulses to the needles to increase their effectiveness. The needles stay in place for about 10 to 20 minutes before your acupuncturist removes them.
Scientists dont understand the entire process behind acupunctures pain relieving abilities, but evidence shows that it helps many patients. In fact, acupuncture can alleviate pain . It also has few side effects and complications, making it worth it for many patients to try. The theories behind why acupuncture can reduce pain include:
- Stimulation of the central nervous system: When the acupuncturist inserts needles into your acupuncture points, they may stimulate the central nervous system. Your body then releases chemicals into your brain, muscles and spinal cord.
- Release of natural opioids: Your brain might create natural opioids that relieve pain and improve your mood.
- Acceleration of electromagnetic signals: The needles may increase the rate of your nerves electromagnetic signals, causing your body to release immune cells or painkilling chemicals.
- Changes in brain chemistry: Your brains release of neurotransmitters and neurohormones changes and impacts how your nerves and organs function.
Common Cause Of Back Pain
Lumbar muscle strains and sprains are the most common causes of low back pain. Many weekend warriors experience injuries and pain from trying to tackle large home projects, such as painting the exterior of their home or doing their own landscaping.
The low back is susceptible to strain because of its weight-bearing function and connection in movements, such as twisting and bending. Muscle strain is caused when muscle fibers are over-stretched or torn. Inflammation is common at the site of injury, usually accompanied by pain with movement. Muscle cramping or spasms can occur, as well as decreased function and/or range of motion.
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Acupuncture For Back Pain And Treatment
Back pain can be debilitating and often requires treatment with medications or surgery. Acupuncture, a form of traditional Chinese medicine, effectively treats back pain. Acupuncture works by using needles to stimulate specific points on the body to relieve pain. Several types of acupuncture can be used to treat back pain, and each has its benefits.
There is no doubt that acupuncture can effectively treat back pain. Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to treat pain and inflammation. The following is a complete guide to acupuncture for back pain, including how it works, the benefits it offers, and how to find a reputable acupuncture clinic.
Should You Try Acupuncture For Back Pain
Most patients in my practice come to see me for pain relief. Neck and back pain are the most common conditions. Since acupuncture is usually sought out last after more conventional medicine has not achieved the desired result, many of my patients are surprised at how effective it this centuries old method can be. Its a very rewarding experience to see my patients able to either be pain-free or living with less pain!
For anyone who may be thinking of acupuncture as a modality of treatment, I say, make it your choice, not your last resort.
1. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health . Acupuncture: In depth. January 2016. https://nccih.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/introduction. Accessed August 19, 2016.
2. Liang FF, Chen WY, Chen B, Xu QG, Zhan HS. Effect of acupuncture therapy on patients with low back pain: A meta-analysis. Zhongguo Gu Shang. 2016 29:449-455. Abstract. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27505963. Accessed August 19, 2016.
3. Zou G, Yi QC, Wu SX, Lu YX, Wang FS, Yu YG, et al. Enkephalin involvement in acupuncture analgesia-radioimmunoassay. Sci Sin. 1980 23:1197-1207. Abstract. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7455665. Accessed August 19, 2016.
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Precautions To Be Taken During Acupuncture To Treat Back Pain
Before going for an acupuncture session to treat back pain, one should take care of the following precautions
- In the case of back pain due to pregnancy, women should consult a doctor prior to going for an acupuncture session. The procedure enhances and stimulates the chances of labor and delivery. As such, a consultation with the doctor is mandatory. Always choose a certified and professional acupuncturist to perform the sessions. If the acupuncturist is not a skilled person, then he might cause damage to your body with his practice.
- The needles used in the procedure should always be sterilized beforehand to avoid contracting infections. They should be stored at a sterilized place before and after use. Broken needles should not be used for the practice.
- Consult a doctor before attending any acupuncture session if you run on blood thinners, certain medications, use a pacemaker, or have any type of implants in your body. In these cases, it is always necessary to consult a doctor first about your condition.
Acupuncture For Back Pain Relief
Are you one of the millions of Americans who have experienced back pain at some point in your life? Back pain is a cause of missed work, increased health care costs, and worst of all not being able to do the activities you enjoy.
Common treatments for back pain are physical therapy, pain medications, chiropractic, heat, and increasingly acupuncture.
What you should knowBack pain, especially pain that is localized to the back, usually resolves within several weeks. The imaging studies x-rays, CT scans and MRI scans that many patients think are necessary to treat their back pain, do not always provide information about the actual cause for your pain.
Red flags for back pain that do signal a need for evaluation by a doctor and an imaging study are: recent trauma like a bad fall, fever or infection, loss of bladder or bowel control, and unexplained weight loss or a history of certain cancers.
Activity and exerciseYears ago, back pain was treated with bedrest, but that can actually make back pain worse. It is important to stay active and exercise to strengthen the muscles that support both the spine and the abdomen.
From an Oriental medicine standpoint, the pain you are experiencing is caused by the stagnation of your bodys energy in the areas of pain. Activity and exercise keep your Qi or energy moving.
Your acupuncturist can show you acupressure points you can use for home treatment. Some helpful points are:
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