Back pain (particularly lower back pain) is a prevalent chronic pain condition. Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese physical treatment that has become a popular and well-studied form of pain management.
Back Pain and Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a traditional treatment that is based on the concept of energy in the body.
The procedure involves putting needles into different pressure spots on the body and through the skin. Needles are not meant to cause pain, harm, or annoyance.
A trained acupuncturist will treat energy (or “qi” points in Chinese medicine). These are also known as meridians, and certain of them are very beneficial to ache nerves and muscles in the back.
An acupuncturist may concentrate on a few qi channels for back pain.
Acupuncture points for lower back pain include:
- the back of the knees
- footnotes
- lower back areas
- hand gestures
- hip areas
- stomach aches
Upper back discomfort (also known as thoracic back pain) frequently has various trigger points. On the head, neck, shoulders, and upper back, they can observe.
By engaging these areas, parts of the nervous system are also triggered to relieve pain. Acupuncture may also give pain reduction for other related neuromuscular disorders when there aren’t as many pain management choices.
These are some examples:
- headaches
- fibromyalgia
- Musculoskeletal discomfort after surgery
- TMJ sciatica (temporomandibular joint disorder)
Is acupuncture supported by science?
The mechanism of the effect of acupuncture is unknown. Acupuncture, on the other hand, can help with back pain in a variety of ways:
- It stimulates the neurological system. Acupuncture-stimulated trigger sites may release substances from the spinal cord, muscles, and brain. Some of them may include natural pain relievers.
- Produces opioid-like compounds in the body. Acupuncture, like the previous idea, may cause the release of pain-relieving molecules. These exist naturally in the body and have qualities comparable to opioid pain medications. (For example, morphine or hydrocodone.)
- The release of neurotransmitters occurs. These are hormones that deliver instructions to different nerve terminals to control their on/off processes. Acupuncture may activate certain receptors that block pain.
- Electromagnetic impulses stimulate the organism. These impulses may assist accelerate the body’s response to pain, including the production of endorphins.
Regardless of how it works, research on acupuncture for back pain indicates excellent benefits with very few adverse effects.
In some 2012 studies almost 20,000 persons with chronic pain were reviewed for Trusted Source. They were given genuine acupuncture treatments, phoney acupuncture treatments, or no acupuncture at all. Those who underwent genuine acupuncture saw a 50% reduction in their chronic pain conditions.
Two comparable evaluations from 2013 strongly supported acupuncture as an effective treatment. These are use to treat chronic back pain.
One of these researchers suggested that acupuncture might be more effective than most pain medicines. According to the second research, the efficacy of the treatment is influenced by certain limitations in how it is delivered.
Acupuncture for Back Pain: What You Should Know
When performed by a professional qualified acupuncturist, acupuncture is a safe treatment and therapy.
Anyone who is not qualified or certified to give acupuncture should not do so. It is beneficial to do background research about a practitioner. Alternatively, speak with someone you trust who has visited an acupuncturist for back pain. Inquire about the practitioners they would suggest or refer.
Acupuncture patients may experience discomfort, bruising, and small bleeding at puncture sites. These problems should resolve themselves in a few days. It also causes little to no danger to one’s general health.
Certain forms of acupuncture may stimulate labour and delivery if you are pregnant. Consult your acupuncturist ahead of time about your pregnancy.
Acupuncture carries potential health hazards if you use blood thinners or have a bleeding issue. Before beginning treatment, be sure to address your concerns and drugs with your acupuncturist. Bleeding may occur during treatment, although it is uncommon.
Needles must be disposable and sterile. However, to avoid infection, keep the puncture sites clean after each session. If you visit a well-trained expert, the risk of infection is low.
How to Get Back Pain Acupuncture
If you wish to attempt acupuncture for back pain-alleviation, you should first consult with your primary care physician. Make sure to talk to your doctor about if acupuncture is right for you.
There’s also the issue of expense. A single session may cost between $60 and $130, and many health insurance policies do not cover it.
Make sure you contact a licenced acupuncturist in The Villages before scheduling an appointment. To provide safe treatments, an acupuncturist should have the necessary training, licence, and certification. Each state’s board of health oversees and registers acupuncture practices.
Keep in mind, however, that one acupuncture session does not give a cure for back pain. While alleviation is allegedly effective, it is probable that you will need long-term therapy. Acupuncture often requires many sessions over time to provide the optimum results.
Even if your first session went well, you may expect to make future appointments. Expect pain to return, as it typically does. If that happens, you’ll have to book another round of sessions.
Most folks will invest in a weekly session until they see results. Following that, they begin arranging sessions more often, such as every other week, then monthly.
Acupuncture’s Back Pain Benefits
Acupuncture has survived the test of time because of its ability to relieve pain, especially in the muscles and joints of the body. The following are some of the key advantages of acupuncture as it pertains to back pain relief, according to acupuncture practitioners:
- Stimulation of the Central Nervous System – It is thought that the insertion of acupuncture needles into arteries causes medication to be delivered into the oesophagus, a muscle. , and the brain. These compounds are found to be painful.
- The Body Produces Pain-Relieving Chemicals — Acupuncture supports the body’s natural capacity to relieve pain and inflammation.
- Neurotransmitter Activation or Release – Neurotransmitters deliver messages to the brain to turn off the pain response produced by back issues. Acupuncture activates or releases a variety of neurotransmitters.
- Electromagnetic Impulses Flow Through the Body — According to acupuncture theory, electromagnetic impulses speed up the body’s natural healing and recovery processes, therefore removing back pain.
In conclusion
Acupuncture can be an effective treatment option for persistent back pain. It might refer to lower or high back discomfort.
According to research, it might be beneficial to a large number of individuals. It may even be more effective than some drugs for back pain.
Research backs up acupuncture’s efficacy, and a skilled, well-trained professional can provide safe treatment.
Acupuncture, however, is not for everyone. Consult your doctor and an acupuncturist to see whether acupuncture is good for you.
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