Acupuncture for Back Pain
Acupuncture is especially effective for the relief of chronic and acute back pain. It is probably what acupuncture is best known for. And cases of back pain make up more than 60% of my practice here at Acupoint Wellness Centre.
There are so many reasons as to why people get back pain but there are 2 simple explanations in traditional Chinese medicine. Acute back pain is usually the result of some form of physical trauma or poor posture resulting in a condition known as Qi and/or Blood Stagnation. Qi and/or Blood stagnation means that the qi and blood is not circulating properly which can result in intense pain that is usually sharp or throbbing in nature. In Chinese medicine there is a fundamental theory that if the Qi is blocked, there is pain. Another reason a person might have back pain is kidney deficiency. This type of back pain tends to be more chronic in nature and the pain tends to be more dull and achy compared to the sharp acute kind. The lower back is known as the house of the kidneys. When the kidneys are weak back pain can an indication of this chronic condition. There are usually 2 reasons for back pain: This can be due to constitutional weakness, overworking from either standing, walking, or doing any repetitive motion with the back that could cause back strain.
A 2006 acupuncture back pain study by the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) reported that “patients who received acupuncture in the study reported lower pain levels and used fewer pain killers than those who received usual NHS care.” A 2007 study conducted in Germany found that half of the patients receiving acupuncture had experienced positive improvement in their condition that lasted for months, versus only half as many in the standard care group. The results of the German study were so convincing that acupuncture is now covered by the Germany state health insurance for back pain.
When treating back pain with acupuncture, we try to unblock congestion in the meridians which run along the paravertebral muscles or spine. The stimulation of these meridians increase blood circulation, reduce inflammation, and release pain reliever and feel good chemicals such as endorphins. Acupuncture helps to support the body’s healing mechanism to speed the healing process while decreasing pain. All in all, acupuncture is a safe and gentle method of treatment.
