A Harris Poll released earlier this year found that approximately three out of ten U.S. adults currently suffer from chronic low back pain. To put it another way, that’s an estimated 72.3 million people! Common treatments usually include prescription medications which bring their own complications and side effects into the picture. If you are looking for a drug-free alternative to your back pain, acupuncture could be the solution you have been searching for. 

What the Research Says

According to the experts at WebMD, chronic low back pain is one of the conditions most touted by research suggesting acupuncture could be an effective treatment tool. WebMD also pointed to guidelines from the American Pain Society and the American College of Physicians who say “doctors should consider acupuncture as an alternative therapy for patients with chronic low back pain that’s not helped by conventional treatment.”

How It Works

If you have never experienced an acupuncture treatment, you might be wondering just how it works. First, I will take a detailed health history to determine the best course of treatment for your pain. I may also suggest dietary changes or supplements to help your condition as well. 

A typical treatment involves inserting thin needles at specific points on the body. Stimulating the various points (depending on your particular health concern and the severity of the pain) can correct any energy imbalances, thus relieving pain with little or no side effects. The medical experts at WebMD also believe that “acupuncture has fewer adverse side effects than many of the standard treatments for back pain.” 

Many people wonder how many treatments it will take to find relief. It all depends on the severity of the issue but typically six to twelve sessions are scheduled. Again, depending on the severity of the condition, sessions can be done once or twice a week and can last for 30 to 90 minutes. Less severe issues could require fewer treatments, but in severe cases, additional sessions may need to be scheduled to completely address the condition. 

Chronic back pain could be a sign that there are other issues and imbalances happening in your body. In addition to relief from your back pain, you may notice other positive side effects like improved digestion, better sleep, and less stress and anxiety. 

If you suffer from chronic back pain and are looking for a treatment option, call me and make an appointment today! 

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Anyone who has suffered from sciatic nerve pain can tell you it can be a very debilitating condition. It is typically caused by an impingement of the sciatic nerve in the lower back but the pain is actually felt radiating down the leg and in the buttock. There are several potential causes of sciatic pain including:

• Degenerative disc disease
• Lumbar spinal stenosis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Pregnancy
• Herniated lumbar disc (also known as a slipped disc)

Acupuncture is one of the most gentle and effective treatment options. Traditional medicine may prescribe medication to deal with the pain caused by sciatica, but acupuncture is a drug-free option that treats the issue and not just the symptom.

Types of Sciatic Pain

Those suffering from sciatic pain often describe it as impacting just one side of the body and causing pain in the leg or buttocks that worsens when sitting; burning, tingling, or sometimes searing pain down the leg; weakness or numbness with difficulty moving the leg or the foot; or shooting pain that makes it difficult to stand. 

What Acupuncture Does

It’s a safe and effective option to help manage the pain by increasing blood flow to the area and relaxing the lumbar muscles, while releasing those helpful endorphins. Research also points to acupuncture being an effective pain management option for sciatica.

Relieving the Pain

While acupuncture cannot heal the structural issues causing the sciatic pain, I often recommend chiropractic visits as well as muscular therapy as adjuncts to help alleviate the pressure on that nerve. 

Each patient is different so no two treatments will be the same and I will work with you to determine the frequency and best number of total treatments.

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