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Acupuncture for Back Pain
Acupuncture for Back Pain
By Brennan Howe
Acupuncture is an ancient form of Chinese medicine that has been
around for more than 2500 years and is becoming an increasingly
popular treatment for back pain. According to the theory of
acupuncture, energy—called chi or qi—flows through the body along
pathways called meridians. If the flow of chi is interrupted, pain
or illness can occur. When that happens, very thin needles can be
inserted along the meridians to correct the flow of chi.
No one is sure exactly why acupuncture works. Eastern philosophy
holds that the needles unblock interrupted chi. Western medicine
has a few theories of its own. Some believe acupuncture stimulates
the nervous system and the 2000 energy centers in the body, which in
turn triggers the release of natural painkillers in the form of
endorphins, opioid peptides, and chemicals from the hypothalamus and
pituitary gland. Others believe that acupuncture needles help
contracted muscles relax, stimulate nerves in the legs, and decrease
inflammation of the nerves in the lower back.
Studies by the National Institute of Health show that acupuncture
is effective in treating back pain, and 2500 years of success for
the Chinese backs this up. Like all treatments,
acupuncture seems to be most effective when used in conjunction with
other treatments. It is also very safe, with no known risks as long
as you chose a reputable practitioner. Needles are sterile,
disposable, and FDA-approved. In the U.S. they are used only one
time, sealed before use, and disposed as hazardous waste after
treatment.
In the United States there are over fifty acupuncture training
schools, which require approximately 3000 credit hours of study and
offer the equivalent of a Master’s Degree. Often an undergraduate
degree is required for admittance to an acupuncturist college. The
first two years in acupuncture school are spent in classroom study,
the third year is spent as an apprentice to a licensed
acupuncturist, and the fourth year is spent as in intern working
under supervision on patients. States have different requirements
for acupuncturists, but all must take a state examinations and/ or a
national exam in order to be licensed to practice. To find an
acupuncturist, contact the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture.
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