Lower back pain affects millions of people almost constantly. Did you know, for example, that almost eight out of ten of us will suffer from lower back discomfort at some point in our lives? Whether acute, chronic, or simply occasional, this type of pain is all too often masked by pain medication – which, long-term, won’t make your problems go away. Professional acupuncture for low back pain is highly recommended to remedy discomfort and promote greater flexibility.
Low back pain can occur for a variety of different reasons. Many people suffer from back strains as a result of improper posture, using inappropriate lifting techniques, or simply working too hard! It may also arise through conditions such as osteoarthritis and can worsen with age.
Left untreated, low back pain can lead to severe mobility problems later in life, impacting your work and leisure time. It’s a common ailment that millions of us seem to dismiss – but it’s important to listen to your body and to seek help if your pain is worsening.
Why is acupuncture for low back pain recommended?
Acupuncture for low back pain comes recommended after hundreds of years of traditional treatments, starting in ancient China. It’s highly popular with people suffering from back pain as it can give almost instant relief for conditions as diverse as sciatica, arthritis, and widespread muscle cramping.
Research has proven, too, that acupuncture may be more useful than traditional western medicine at treating chronic back conditions. Studies also confirm that flexibility and mobility improve through regular treatments.
By stimulating your nervous system, acupuncture for low back pain targets areas of your body to release oxygen and blood around strategic points. This strategy also releases biochemicals around your spinal cord, muscle network, and brain. Acupuncture can effectively provide your back muscles and tissue with gentle tension relief, while effectively ‘remapping’ your brain and its pain receptors.
Regular acupuncture is recommended for people suffering from low back pain alongside western medicine. Many people, for example, may choose to embark on doctor-prescribed painkiller courses while attending an acupuncture session every other week. This combination can not only help to immediately dull pain sensations in your back, but can also help to prepare your body against further discomfort.
Acupuncture provably reduces swelling and inflammation, too, relieving your lower back from tightness and soreness you may even experience at rest. Studies further suggest that regular acupuncture may help to heal and repair nerve damage across the body, meaning it can be highly effective in helping active people recover from an otherwise debilitating injury in this commonly-afflicted area.
Of course, acupuncture is recommended for people of all ages and fitness levels suffering from lower back pain. Providing a full strength and fitness assessment is carried out pre-treatment, there are no barriers to you receiving acupuncture for low back pain. It’s always prudent to discuss treatment options with your doctor or medical practitioner, too, if you have any concerns.
What happens at an acupuncture session for low back pain?
When attending an acupuncture session for the first time, we’ll help you relax in your most comfortable position. Treatment for the lower back will require you to lay face down, so we can gently apply acupuncture needles to motor points directly connected to your areas of concern. Don’t worry – acupuncture needles aren’t painful – they are warming, and offer a slight pressure at most.
Motor points or meridians targeted during low back pain treatment aren’t always found across your back. In many cases, depending on the location and severity of pain you’re experiencing, we may recommend gentle needling of your hips, feet, hands, and the backs of your knees.
Acupuncture needles are gently inserted up to half an inch into your skin, and we may move some needles during the process to help target appropriate points in your body. We also follow a symmetrical model of treatment – which means we may treat both sides of your back with equidistant needles. This follows a traditional process that’s been popular since ancient practice and helps provide wonderful, soothing results for our visitors.
After your session, we’ll help plan a course of further treatments with you. Acupuncture for low back pain is only effective long-term if you undertake regular sessions! While your back may feel less painful and more flexible after just one or two treatments, it’s vital to keep targeting your affected motor points for as long as necessary. Your length of treatment – and recovery – may vary, depending on your pain intensity, and your initial strength assessment.
Low back pain is one of the most frequently-treated ailments at our clinic – it impacts people young and old alike. Luckily, even two or three acupuncture sessions are often enough to help restore flexibility and function.
Book a session at our clinic for lower back pain
While a slight pain in your lower back may not seem like a big cause for concern initially, it’s important to seek help if it persists and/or if it worsens. Occasional back pain is common and treatable with over-the-counter medicine. Acute and chronic back pain will, on the other hand, require direct medical intervention.
The best course of action to take is to consult your doctor if you are immediately worried about your low back pain. Then, consider booking an acupuncture session and strength assessment with the clinic at Lycoming Orthopedic & Sports Acupuncture.
We assist people from all over PA, from track athletes and fitness fanatics, to retirees needing a little extra respite. With just a few acupuncture sessions, you may find a new lease of life – and release from burgeoning pain – before you realize it. It’s important to look after your body while you can!
Call our clinic or book your initial session with us online today if you’d like to know more about acupuncture for low back pain. Don’t let backache get in the way of what’s really important to you – and if you’re concerned, take action sooner, not later.
