Acupuncture Treatment for Back Pain

Acupuncture has become an accepted treatment for Back Pain conditions both in Europe and the United States.

A large study published during February 2007 (WebMD) showed that low back pain patients treated with acupuncture reported better pain control than those who had received no acupuncture therapy.

The study included 241 adults who had had non-specific low back pain for four to 52 weeks. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either standard care or acupuncture, along with individualised treatment administered by a general practitioner. Standard care included medications, back exercises, and physiotherapy (such as massage therapy).

Pain levels were assessed at 12 and 24 months. Also, the researchers measured use of pain medication and patient satisfaction with treatment at three, 12, and 24 months.

At three months, patients in the acupuncture group were much more likely to report being "very satisfied" with their treatment as opposed to those who did not get the therapy.

And at 24 months, the acupuncture group was more likely to report less worry about their back pain and less use of pain drugs.

They were also more likely to report having no pain for at least a year, leading the authors to conclude acupuncture provided long-lasting benefits.

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a system of healing, which has been practised in China and other eastern countries for thousands of years. Although often described as a means of pain relief, it is in fact used to treat people with a wide range of illnesses. Its focus is on improving the overall well being of the patient, rather than the isolated treatment of specific symptoms. According to traditional Chinese philosophy, our health is dependent on the body's motivating energy - known as Qi - moving in a smooth and balanced way through a series of meridians (channels) beneath the skin.

Qi consists of equal and opposite qualities - Yin and Yang - and when these become unbalanced, illness may result. By inserting fine needles into the channels of energy, an acupuncturist can stimulate the body's own healing response and help restore its natural balance. The flow of Qi can be disturbed by a number of factors. These include emotional states such as anxiety, stress, anger, fear or grief, poor nutrition, weather conditions, hereditary factors, infections, poisons and trauma. The principal aim of acupuncture in treating the whole person is to recover the equilibrium between the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of the individual.

What will happen on my first full visit?

Your first full consultation may be longer than subsequent sessions. The acupuncturist needs to assess your general state of health, in order to identify the underlying pattern of disharmony and give you the most effective treatment.

You will be asked about your current symptoms and what treatment you have received so far, your medical history and that of your close family, your diet, digestive system, sleeping patterns and emotional state. To discover how the energies are flowing in your body, the acupuncturist is likely to feel your pulses on both wrists, noting their quality, rhythm and strength.

Once enough information has been gathered to determine the likely causes of your problems, the acupuncturist can select the most appropriate treatment.

What does it feel like?

Most people's experience of needles is of those used in injections and blood tests. Acupuncture needles bear little resemblance to these. They are much finer and are solid rather than hollow. When the needle is inserted, the sensation is often described as a tingling or dull ache. Needles are inserted either for a second or two, or may be left in place for 30 minutes or more, depending on the effect required. During treatment, patients commonly experience heaviness in the limbs or a pleasant feeling of relaxation. The benefits of acupuncture frequently include more than just relief from a particular condition. Many people find that it can also lead to increased energy levels, better appetite and sleep as well as an enhanced sense of overall well being.

*Our Registered Acupuncturist Qualifications: Minimum of 3 years Fully accredited, professional BA Hon's Degree in Traditional Acupuncture.

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