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Back pain, particularly lower back pain, is a common health issue all over the world. A research paper published by the Canadian Medical Association indicates that up to 85% of working Canadians can expect to experience back pain in their lifetime. Various methods have been developed to deal with lower back pain and back pain in general, but most people tend to use acupuncture for back pain treatment. This is an ancient Chinese therapy that has become a well-researched and popular method for managing back pain. Majority of people who have used acupuncture for back pain treatment report incredible results with a mean success rate of 79.7%. Contact us to relieve your back pain.
As a traditional therapy, acupuncture is based on the idea of energetics in the body. Treatment involves inserting needles at various pressure points on the body through the skin. The needles are not meant to cause any harm, discomfort or pain. A professional acupuncturist will target specific energy points while administering treatment. These energy points are also referred to as meridians or ‘Qi’ in Chinese medicine with some being of particular importance for painful muscles and nerves in the back.
Some of the energy points for lower back pain include;
Points for upper back pain/ thoracic back pain are found on the neck, head, upper back and shoulders.
Stimulating these points also stimulates parts of the nervous system to relieve pain. Acupuncture is also used to relieve pain from other similar neuromuscular issues with limited pain remedies.
The various trigger points stimulated during acupuncture could release natural pain-relieving chemicals from the muscles, spinal cord and brain.
As suggested above, acupuncture may trigger the release of naturally occurring pain-relieving chemicals with similar properties as opioid pain relievers.
Neurotransmitters are hormones that transmit signals to regulate the start/stop mechanisms of various nerve endings. Acupuncture may trigger some nerves to block off the pain.
These impulses can help speed up the body’s way of dealing with pain including the release of endorphins.
Regardless of how it works, the use of acupuncture as a treatment for back pain has proved successful with very little risk of side effects. The procedure is safe and painless if performed by a professional certified acupuncturist. However, before seeing an acupuncturist, make sure you discuss with your regular doctor whether acupuncture would be best for you. Acupuncture may not be for everyone.
It is important to remember that one acupuncture procedure is not a cure for back pain. While you may experience immediate relief, it may take numerous treatments over time to realize the best results.
Acupuncture can be an effective therapy for chronic pain – both upper and lower back pain. It could even be more effective than certain medications. If you would like to try acupuncture treatment to help relieve your back pain, contact us today to book an appointment!