Acupuncture for Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain and sciatic pain is definitely the most common complaint I see in my clinic. Patients are using acupuncture because Western medicine approaches have not been effective for their pain. Many are hoping to avoid surgery or reliance on pain medication.
A recent study on acupuncture for lower back pain due to herniated disks shows how successful acupuncture can be. Both acupuncture and electro-acupuncture were compared using points along the Urinary Bladder meridian which runs along both sides of the spine. Both techniques were found to be effective: leading to decreased pain, better mobility and reflexes.
Find an abstract of the study here.
Acupuncture works by sending messages through the nervous system and shutting down pain receptors in the brain to immediately decrease pain. It causes a chemical cascade of feel-good chemicals such as serotonin, endorphins and dopamine. Patients often remark on how relaxed and refreshed they feel after their acupuncture sessions. Acupuncture also decreases inflammation in the body and helps relax muscle spasms which can be common with lower back pain and sciatica.
Consult with a licensed acupuncturist in your area for a specialized treatment plan based on your specific needs and diagnoses.
If you are located near Yakima, you may call our office to schedule yourself a free consult today! (509) 457-2499.