Acupuncture for Low Back Pain

Welcome back! Winter is fast approaching with the promise of snow. As it gets colder here in appalachia aches and pains can become more noticeable. Up to 70-84% of the population will experience low back pain during their lifetime. Pain limits our ability to accomplish important daily activities such as exercise and affects the ability to perform work related duties.Resulting disability can create a heavy economic burden. Medical research shows acupuncture is effective in relieving discomfort and pain, supported by scientic research, a cost effective treatment option, and achieves results with less side effects. Most low back pain is mechanical and fortunately self-limited. Chronic low back pain also benefits from acupuncture with improvement in pain and function. Ancient techniques written about in the third millennium BCE are used today to achieve restoration of body mechanics and alleviate pain. Acupuncture works by stimulating points along a meridian in the affected area to correct the imblance of qi. Treatments improve the flow of energy thus reducing pain through effects on the central nervous system. Chemicals such as endorphins are released into muscles, the brain, and spinal cord to produce a sense of well being, improve sleep, and lessen pain. Other methods are offered to compliment acupuncture such as cupping, herbal medicine, gua sha, and moxibustion. Thanks for stopping by.

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Published online 2015 Mar 4. doi: 10.1155/2015/328196

Med Acupunct. June 2021; 33(3): 219–225.
Published online 2021 Jun 16. doi: 10.1089/acu.2020.1499