Can Acupuncture Help Relieve Back Pain?

Acupuncture is usually used to reduce back pain. In the us and Canada, acupuncture is certainly trusted as a complementary treatment method (in addition to conventional medical therapy) for many types of pain and several ailments.

Exactly what does an acupuncture treatment method consist of?

Exceptionally fine needles are inserted into specific points in the body. The tiny needles are kept in position for a short while - from a couple of minutes to around 30 minutes. Because the needles are so fine that, if properly inserted by a specialist, they can not be felt once inserted. Throughout the insertion of the tiny needles, there can be a little pain or zero pain whatsoever.

It is very important that a accredited acupuncture practitioner perform acupuncture. The needles used are disposable (the needles are governed by the FDA for one-time use only), and the skin should be swabbed with disinfectant at the site of insertion. An infection may arise should there be insufficient sterilization of the fine needles. When done correctly, acupuncture is actually almost without any negative effects.

So how exactly does acupuncture work?

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese process based on the belief that life energy (qi - pronounced "chee") passes through the body along paths known as meridians. Different meridians correspond to different body parts. If the flow of energy (qi) is disrupted, health conditions may result. Acupuncture is used to re-establish the flow of energy (qi) to restore health.

Scientists are still trying to understand exactly how acupuncture works. One theory is the fact that acupuncture stimulates the production of endorphins (body's own pain killers) or even other chemicals that influence the central nervous system but the genuine process in which acupuncture works to relieve pain is unidentified. To anyone who has encountered pain relief from acupuncture, they only care that it succeeds, not exactly why it works - and, a growing number of doctors are generally referring individuals for acupuncture therapy.

Is there any evidence that Acupuncture relieves pain?

Controlled studies have had various responses (perhaps because they have been too small), but many studies have produced positive results - most people obtaining pain relief. Studies have shown acupuncture to be especially beneficial in relieving nausea because of chemotherapy as well as surgery. Acupuncture can relieve various kinds of pain and conditions, which includes low back pain, sciatica, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome, severe headaches, and more.

One of the largest and longest study ever revealed that an lengthy course of acupuncture decreased pain by 40% in individuals with knee osteoarthritis. The final results were not immediate - after 8 weeks there was a noticable difference in functioning solely; after 14 weeks there was an improvement in pain. This study had been funded by NCCAM (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine) and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, both divisions of National Institutes of Health.

In conclusion:

Like every treatment, acupuncture does not produce exactly the same result in everybody, regardless if they have got the same condition. As it frequently appears to provide partial but not total pain relief, acupuncture is often utilized as part of a pain management plan.

If you're experiencing back pain and have not really had adequate pain relief from conventional treatment (or wish to reduce pain medication) and are considering acupuncture, ask your medical professional to recommend an authorized acupuncture practitioner.

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