Acupuncture for the treatment of back pain is specific to Chinese medicine, dating back more than 2,500 years. The working principle of acupuncture is that of the circuits on which the “vital energy” circulates, that is, the Chinese qi.
Numerous medical clinical studies have shown that acupuncture can relieve chronic back pain, as well as the mobility of patients, often affected by the underlying condition.
CONTENT:
- How acupuncture works in treating low back pain
- Conditions treated by acupuncture
- Contraindications to acupuncture
- Methods of acupuncture
How acupuncture works in treating low back pain
By stimulating the central nervous system, a series of chemicals are released in the brain, muscles, but also the bone marrow, substances that relieve pain and improve the patient’s condition. Among the substances released are endorphins, which are known to be “wellness” hormones.
Among the main points used in acupuncture to treat low back pain are those in the following areas of the body:
- Knee back
- Soles
- Lumbosacral area
- Hands
- Hips
- Abdominal area
If you suffer from low back pain you could give acupuncture a chance. A single session will convince you whether or not to use this ancient technique to relieve back pain. However, you should know that acupuncture does not cure long-term low back pain, but relieves it in the short and medium term.
Therefore, you will need long-term treatment if you suffer from low back pain.
Acupuncture does not replace conventional treatment, but supports it. This should be considered a complementary treatment, performed in parallel with the one prescribed by the doctor.
It is advisable to consult a specialist before using this method of treatment.
Gradually, acupuncture can help the patient give up painkillers, or at least reduce them, being an effective substitute for sedatives.
Conditions treated by acupuncture
Among the conditions in which acupuncture proves useful we can list:
- musculoskeletal pain (low back pain, sciatica, torticollis, osteoarthritis in its various forms – gonarthrosis, hip osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis of the shoulder, spondylosis, back pain, neck pain, hips, arms)
- minor structural changes in the spine (incipient disc herniation)
In chronic diseases, acupuncture helps by improving symptoms, reducing exacerbations, functional rehabilitation.
For prophylactic purposes, acupuncture can prevent the progression of aggravation or prevent the onset of diseases.
Contraindications to acupuncture
Contraindications to acupuncture:
- in states of exhaustion, of intoxication
- after roentgenterapia or corticotherapy
- in ischemic heart disease with ECG disorders, in severe organic insufficiency (renal, hepatic), in convulsions
- for patients with coagulation disorders and those taking anticoagulant therapy
When it is practiced by a specialist, the procedure is considered safe. Side effects are very rare, acupuncture being the method of treatment for low back pain with the fewest side effects.
In order not to fail, ask the specialist doctor who treats you to recommend an acupuncture specialist. If he does not know anyone you trust, look for acupuncture specialists on the internet, then check their history.
Methods of acupuncture
Moxa therapy (moxibustion)
Represents a specific form of treatment that consists in applying and smoking at the level of acupuncture (directly on the acupuncture point or indirectly – on the needle handle) of moxa (most commonly obtained from the plant black wormwood – Artemisia vulgaris).
This method is especially useful in rheumatic diseases, joints, neuralgia, asthenia.
Electro
It consists in the application of low intensity electric currents at the level of acupuncture points. The application can be done by means of needles inserted in the skin or by means of electrodes, no need to prick.
Electric currents have a stimulating effect on cells, tissues and the whole body.
Chinese Massage (Tui Na)
It involves a set of maneuvers: touching, pressing, squeezing, rubbing, tapping, etc. Muscles, skin, wrists, soft tissues are thus influenced, but, through the existing connections between the skin, acupuncture points and the meridian system, it can also act on the internal organs, thus rebalancing energy and blood.
Chinese massage sessions performed after each acupuncture session have the gift of significantly increasing the effectiveness of the treatment.
Acupuncture for the treatment of back pain is a therapy that has also beneficial effects on the mind and body, achieving a state of well-being physically, mentally and emotionally, improving the quality of life.
Also, acupuncture can help other medical specialties in the healing process or can be used alone at an early stage.