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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.
During
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an acupuncture treatment session, the practitioner will
insert anywhere from one to twenty needles into various places in
the body. Some needles may go in just under the skin, while others
may go deeper into muscle and fat. Needles will be left in from
fifteen to thirty minutes. The practitioner may turn needles one
way or another after inserting them into the body, or leave some in
for only a few seconds before removing them and inserting them
elsewhere in the body. Don’t be surprised if the practitioner
treats your by putting needles in your ankles, knees, or
fingers. This is a technique called percutaneous electrical nerve
stimulation (PENS), where needles are inserted into nerve centers
and electrically stimulated. You can expect to feel relief for
chronic pain in about ten to fifteen treatments and sooner for acute
or sudden pain.
Other things an acupuncturist may do: 1) Use moxibustion, an herb
that is burned onto the needle before insertion to stimulate the
area being treated; 2) Cupping: burn cotton in a glass cup, which is
then placed on the skin to create a vacuum; and 3) prescribe herbal
supplements in addition to physical treatment.
You may be surprised to learn that acupuncture is rarely described
as painful. In fact, many people find it relaxing and even fall
asleep during treatment. Some people feel energized. One reason for
this is the type of needles used. Acupuncture needles are very
different from hypodermic needles. Instead they are very thin and
fine, like hair. They are also solid, whereas hypodermic needles are
not, as they are made to extract tissue. So getting acupuncture
needles inserted into your skin will feel nothing like getting a
shot at the doctor’s office.
When you are considering acupuncture, it is important to make sure
the practitioner is someone you feel comfortable working with. Look
for someone who is interested in your whole health and takes time to
ask and answer questions. Since some medical doctors also practice
acupuncture, you will want to make sure they are licensed in
acupuncture in addition to their other training. To check if a
practitioner is licensed and accredited, contact the American
Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
FEATURED AERICLE:
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I first recall having back pains in October of 2004. On the outset it was nothing more than a minor irritant after having sat for too long. It is now become much more than that. I am definitely in Read more...
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FEATURED ARTICLE:
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There is not a single definition of pain that is appropriate for everybody because it is a highly subjective experience. What, to another person, is excruciating may be nothing more Read more...
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