How Acupuncture Really Helps With Lower Back Pain According To Science
There are things that you can by yourself to relieve back pain.
Lower back pain can be due to a number of factors. Some of the time its due to something that can be avoided like extreme physical exertion or poor posture. Sometimes, the reason can be a lot more serious like spinal osteoarthritis and spondylosis.
Acupuncture works by providing pain relief and reducing inflammation. But perhaps the million-dollar question about acupuncture is:
Does it work?
I get asked that question a lot. And every time somebody pops that question, my answer remains the same: Yes, acupuncture works.
Here were some interesting studies done on acupuncture specifically for lower back pain.
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Is Acupuncture Effective To Help Or Reduce Back Pain And Is It Safe
Is acupuncture effective to help reduce back pain, and is it safe? is a question some people with back pain ask me. Acupuncture is indeed an effective and safe way to help relieve your back painwhen the treatment is administered by a trained and licensed acupuncturist. It is worth talking to your doctor about trying it for your particular back pain-related symptoms.
Acupuncture has been an integral part of Chinese Medicine for over 4,000 years, although the benefits were slowly discovered in the Western world. Photo Source: Nicole Heuschkel, LAc.
Root Causes Of Chronic Lower Back Pain
Pain is thought about chronic once it lasts for greater than three months and exceeds the bodys all-natural healing process. Chronic pain in the low back usually includes a disc trouble, a joint problem, and/or an irritated nerve origin. Usual reasons include:
Lumbar herniated disc. The jelly-like center of a lumbar disc can break through the difficult external layer as well as irritate a close-by nerve origin. The herniated part of the disc contains healthy proteins that create swelling when they reach a nerve origin, and also inflammation, in addition to nerve compression, cause nerve origin pain. The disc wall surface is also richly supplied by nerve fibers, and a tear with the wall surface can create severe pain.
Degenerative disc illness. At birth, intervertebral discs contain water and also at their healthiest. As individuals age gradually, discs shed hydration as well as wear down. As the disc loses hydration, it can not resist forces also, and transfers pressure to the disc wall that might create rips and also cause pain or weakening that can cause a herniation. The disc can likewise fall down and contribute to stenosis.
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Stimulation Of Acupuncture Points
Only by stabbing the surface of the skin can you stimulate the energy triggers and thus stimulate the body. However, the needles are inserted strategically and different depths and points on the body are used. The goal of acupuncture is to achieve the optimal flow of Qi energy . Thus, it stimulates various psychological systems and promotes self-healing. As qi energy passes slowly through your body, it is possible that it sends signals for the need for food in order to complete the healing process. However, certain internal processes also cause an increased desire for water.
This means that after that, you will take more water than usual, which encourages detoxification and the healing process. The needles are quite thin, which means that stabbing is not risky, it can only be uncomfortable. Crazy people dont even feel them, and the number of needles varies. A true expert will know perfectly how to manipulate the needles in order to start the processes in the body. He can move them gently, rotate them after installation, apply heat or mild electrical impulses.
How Acupuncture Can Help You With Your Chronic Back Pain
If you struggle with chronic back pain, you already know how taxing it can be on your body to rely on medication for relief. Chronic back pain can also affect your mental and emotional health, leaving you easily frustrated when pain persists despite treatment.
When youve exhausted your other options for chronic back pain and are looking for alternative treatments, it may be time to consider the many health benefits of acupuncture.
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The History Of Acupuncture
Acupuncture has a long history, rooted in Chinese culture and tradition. The focus of acupuncture techniques surrounds the patterns of energy that flow through the body. Your life force, or qi, requires proper energy flow to ensure you maintain optimum health.
In addition to the central life force, your body contains over 2,000 points that connect with meridian pathways and allow your qi to flow freely. Its believed when these pathways are blocked, youre susceptible to a number of health issues, including chronic pain, that affects your quality of life.
Acupuncture involves the insertion of ultra-thin needles into different points on the body. These needles open the pathways, removing obstructions that block the energy flow.
Does Acupuncture Help Back Pain
The traditional technique of acupuncture for back pain has proved to be quite effective. Insertion of needles at the acupoints generates the stimulation of energy channels under the skin. This flow of energy is responsible for curing all the ailments related to back pain. The various benefits that the technique provides to cure back pain are
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Remain Solid Will Acupuncture Help Lower Back Pain
When your lower back pain has declined, you can aid avert future episodes of neck and back pain by functioning the muscle mass that sustain your lower back, consisting of the back extensor muscles. They aid you preserve the proper stance and alignment of your spine. Having strong hip, pelvic, as well as stomach muscles additionally gives you more back support. Stay clear of abdominal crises, because they can actually place even more strain on your back.
How Acupuncture Can Help With Herniated Disk Pain
Do you have a bulging that is causing you back pain? Is that back pain strong enough that it interferes with your job, family life, and normal daily activities? Additionally, do you feel like you will never be able to put it under control and think that it just might get worse in time?
These are common feelings and questions from people experiencing this type of pain. Suffering from a bulging or herniated disc pain might make you feel confused, frustrated, and worried about your health and the condition. Throughout the world, about 1-2% of all people have something or experience something like a serious bulging disc. As you get older and age, you are more prone to develop disc problems because, over the years, the spinal discs lose their structure, elasticity, lubricating fluid, and become more brittle. Fortunately there are many modalities, exercises and preventative measures one can take to ensure the herniation or bulge of a disk is reduced and or maintained and doesnt worsen. One of them that we will talk about is acupuncture and its amazing ability to decrease pain of a disk herniation in many cases.
Bulging disc vs. Herniated Disc: What is the difference?
There are many names that are known for disc problems: herniated discs, slipped discs, collapsed discs, ruptured discs, etc. Whichever the name of the condition, the underlying causes of the most disc problems are similar. The two most common conditions are the bulging disc and the herniated disc.
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What Are The Acupuncture Points For Back Pain
The acupuncture points for back pain that are mainly focused on by practitioners are
- Points on the hands
These points are responsible for maintaining a balance of the nervous system. Any hindrance caused during the flow of energy resulting in an improper imbalance could cause pain. Acupuncture for lower back pain is carried out by focusing the acupoints present at the lower back of your body.
The points present at the upper back of the body are also used as a remedy for various other aching problems, such as fibromyalgia, sciatica, temporomandibular joint disorder , etc. Acupuncture is also followed separately to get over with sciatica, by following acupuncture for back pain sciatica.
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.
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Which Meridians Are Linked To Back Pain
Before you try acupuncture, it may help you to understand where your practitioner may place the needles. The key is finding the meridian pathways or acupuncture points that correspond with lower back pain. Needles will probably be placed on your lower back, but there are some other places on the body that can be linked to your condition. These are:
- Back of the knees: Acupuncturists have been placing needles on the back of the knees for ages to help loosen up the back and drive nutrients to the muscles. During your appointment, you will lie on your back so your practitioner can place the needles behind the kneecaps. They may also place needles in your lower back at the same time.
- Hands: The hands are a popular place for acupuncture treatment. While this sounds like a sensitive spot, you probably will feel nothing more than pressure from the tiny, flexible needles. Some of the most popular places to put the needles include the fingers and the place between your fingers and thumbs. You may even see them inserted into your upper wrist area.
Traditional Chinese Medicine For Back Pain
Traditional Chinese Medicine has been practiced for several thousand years in Asia, but it has also gained popularity in other countries worldwide. It encompasses treatments such as acupuncture, herbal and nutritional therapies, moxibustion, and different types of approaches aimed at promoting general well-being. Unlike Western medicine, which focuses on the sole problem, TCM focuses on the whole body and looks for the underlying disease that might be causing lower back pain. According to TCM, lower back pain is closely related to the health of the kidney system. Therefore, a certified Chinese herbalist will treat the main problem by addressing the kidney system.
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Relieving Pain With Acupuncture
The ancient art of acupuncture has been used in Asia for centuries to treat many conditions and relieve pain. It’s now being used in the United States and other Western countries to ease everything from low back pain, to nerve pain , to headaches, fibromyalgia, and menstrual cramps and more.
Traditional Chinese acupuncture involves the insertion of extremely fine needles into the skin at specific “acupoints.” This may relieve pain by releasing endorphins, the body’s natural pain-killing chemicals, and by affecting the part of the brain that governs serotonin, a brain chemical involved with mood.
In Chinese acupuncture, the acupuncturist may turn or twirl the needles slightly or apply heat or electrical stimulation to enhance the effects. He or she may also burn a therapeutic herb near the skin this is called moxibustion.
A Japanese form of acupuncture involves more shallow needle insertion than in Chinese acupuncture, and the needles aren’t usually manipulated. Korean acupuncture focuses on applying needles to points in just the hands and feet.
The acupuncturist typically inserts four to 10 needles and leaves them in place for 10 to 30 minutes while you rest. A usual course of treatment includes six to 12 sessions over a three-month period.
For more on treating common pain conditions and learning about other mind-body solutions to relieve pain, buy Pain Relief, a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School.
Is Acupuncture Proven To Reduce Back Pain
Many adults with lower back pain appreciate the relaxing and calming effects of acupuncture. While these sensations can provide short-term relief, patients with long-term back problems will also want to know whether the ancient treatment has been proven to relieve pain. The good news is that acupuncture therapy has been studied for years to determine its effectiveness for a variety of back-related conditions.
According to researchers at the National Institute of Health, results from a number of scientific studies have shown that acupuncture can help to relieve lower back pain. In fact, clinical care guidelines issued by the American College of Physicians and American Pain Society recommend acupuncture as one of several non-drug approaches that should be considered by physicians for patients with chronic lumbar area pain.
It is especially helpful for patients who are not able to relieve their symptoms through the use of treatments such as over-the-counter pain-relieving medications, exercise, or applying heat.
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Are There Any Risks Associated With Acupuncture For Back Pain
When performed by a licensed acupuncturist, acupuncture has been proven to be safe regardless of your medical history. Prior to beginning your first session, we at Johnston Family Acupuncture will gather and assess your medical history to determine what the best course of treatment is for you.
You may experience mild soreness and bruising at the acupuncture sites but any issues should clear up after a few days.
Trying Acupuncture For Back Pain
Here are a few ways on how acupuncture works for back pain:
Acupuncture is a safe procedure as long as you have it done under a professional practitioner. For this reason, it would be best to do background checks with your target acupuncturist to ensure safety.
Before jumping into doing acupuncture, the best thing you have to do first is to talk with your doctor. Your doctor should be aware of your medications and current health conditions. You should also inform them if you are pregnant, wearing a pacemaker, or having any implants in your body. If you want to try some light exercise at home under your doctors guidance so that your back wont get injured. to get started.
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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.
Ways Acupuncture Can Help You With Back Pain
Acupuncture is a completely natural procedure that cures many conditions. It is mostly chosen by those who are not supporters of taking medication for every problem. If you have not been so familiar with this treatment method so far, you will be surprised by its possibilities. It has been proven to help a lot in eliminating various health problems, and it is mostly used to relieve headaches and back pain. Of course, these are not the only positive sides.
It has proven to be a great thing for the immune system because the needles stimulate the production of white blood cells that fight infection. It also contributes to faster healing of wounds and injuries thanks to its soothing effect. Best of all, it can solve multiple problems at once. Therefore, in addition to back pain, you can significantly improve the functioning of the body completely. Keep reading to learn more about it.
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