Tag: back pain
Acupuncture Produces the Same Effects as Proper Posture in the Relief of Back Pain
Over the past few years, a bunch of studies have shown acupunctures efficiency in the treatment of back pain. This treatment offers much more quality relief than Western drug therapy, particularly NSAIDs or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. One specific study led to an interesting outcome in that the use of “sham” acupuncture back pain treatment that utilized toothpicks to poke but not puncture the skin proved just as effective as the needling form of acupuncture.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
The studies’ outcomes suggest that piercing the skin is not actually necessary in order to alleviate back pain; this implies that acupressure could work just as well as traditional needling acupuncture. The researchers theorized that when the skin is stimulated superficially, a “physiological chain reaction” takes place within the body.
Western medical treatments and traditional acupuncture are very different from each other. The latter is a technique that aims to regain overall muscle balance to the body through the stimulation of life energy or “chi”. According to Chinese medicine of which acupuncture is part of, the human body is intrinsically designed for symmetry and balance.
The Posture Connection
Acupuncture and neutral anatomy or proper posture practically does the same things; they both normalize the functions of the body, transfer energy efficiently, and distally load at the upper extremity distally towards the core, down to the knees, with the energy dispersing finally to the feet. If that energy transfer is disrupted by improper or poor posture, the mind will have difficulty concentrating and the body will become imbalanced.
While a lot of researchers hesitate to theorize as to why exactly acupuncture works so well in resolving back pain, the reason for the treatment’s success may be gleaned from the results of a study undertaken by Vail Resorts. The three-week long research monitored 300 professional ski instructors who were told to perform different tasks while wearing a Posture Shirt that generates a neuromuscular reaction to keep proper posture while wearing regular clothes over the shirt. The subjects were given self-evaluation tests that dealt with the degree of muscle stiffness and fatigue in both cases. The outcomes suggested an anatomical effect from the tension and touch technology of the posture shirt that affected body awareness, muscle coordination, and skeletal alignment. In simpler terms, the shirts worked almost like an acupressure device.
Back Pain Alleviation Treatments
Acupuncture treatment in Cleveland for back pain is one way to provide significant of relief to people suffering from chronic pain. If we use the information mentioned above, one can also imply that anything that activates or stimulates the correct pressure points or acupoints along the spine, back, and neck would also bring about benefits. Therefore, a Posture Shirt also provides relief since it brings relief similar to acupressure.
It’s claimed by most acupuncturists that their therapies do more than just treat back pain. They also work to regain the balance of the body as well as boost overall health. The same thing happens when a person relearns how to keep proper posture; the balance of the body is maintained and this causes all the systems and organs to function optimally.
Acupuncture treatment for back pain is well-tested and produces proven positive results. It follows the same principle as proper posture when it comes to balancing the body systems and the body itself. Between posture correction and acupuncture, sure relief is to be found for people suffering from lower back pain.
For Really Good Results Back Pain Sufferers Should Turn To Acupuncture
Persistent back pain sufferers would be wise to go to a practitioner who is skillfully trained in acupuncture in Vancouver. This treatment has proven to be of great benefit for people with persistent back pain as it is known to relieve pain when all other treatments have failed.
A proven but ancient way of healing, acupuncture is a process in which filiform needles are stuck into different pre-determined points on the body known as acupuncture points or acupoints. It is a surprisingly painless treatment even if needles are used as the means of generating symptomatic relief. Acupuncture originated from China and besides being used to relieve pain, it also is used to promote general health, prevent and treat various types of diseases, and for other therapeutic purposes. For millennia, this treatment has been practiced throughout the world.
Acupuncture, in theory, works through a process that leads to a balance of body function, and in the restoration of normal flow qi or energy and blood that guides in the self healing of the body. The procedure usually lasts more or less 30 minutes (about 15 to 20 minutes). It has the ability to treat chronic and acute conditions, lessen anxiety and stress, speed up the healing process, and aid smokers in stopping smoking, among many other health benefits. It does not need the use of any type of drug in the treatment process. It is based on a holistic and natural type of treatment that has no serious side effects over time.
For hundreds millions of people around the world, back pain is a problem that has become so troublesome, unbearable and debilitating that over the counter and prescription medication won’t anymore be enough to relieve the pain. Most of them are forced to consult with their doctors who oftentimes really have no means of treating their condition. Back pain does not only affect the elderly although it is more common in this age group. It can be due to various causes including arthritis, poor posture, or accidental injury. Mild or serious back pain sufferers oftentimes turn to pain medications that initially and temporarily ameliorate the pain. The pain keeps on returning though. Acupuncture can be extremely effective for back pain, especially, for back pain that keeps on recurring. It can provide pain relief that lasts for months, years or even forever. For chronic back pain sufferers, acupuncture can help a great deal in developing their level of activity.
Being a safe procedure, acupuncture has shown positive results for other conditions that may be causing the back pain. Most patients can begin to notice a difference in just a single visit. Depending on the degree and cause of the pain, back pain sufferers may expect one to multiple treatments enough to heal or even completely cure the pain. One huge benefit the treatment provides is that it can treat the original complaint or issue that has developed even years after. The treatment helps boost your range of motion and can bolster your back muscles enabling you to better manage your pain.
Drug therapy for back pain is merely a palliative that leads to side effects over time. Acupuncturists will recommend patients to make a few modifications in their lifestyle in order to prevent the return of the pain in the future. A healthy immune system, as we all know, is important for the maintenance of good health. One of the greatest advantages of acupuncture is that is helps strengthen your immune system.
So, if you are in dire need of relief from your back pain, instead of instinctively reaching for a painkiller in the medicine cabinet, look for a licensed acupuncturist who has experience in treating back pain. The results will astound you.
Resolving Back Pain Conditions with Acupuncture
In the United States, a growing number of people are turning to acupuncture to help get rid of their back pain. No matter the cause or type of back pain you suffer from, it always results in a poor quality of life that is often permanent. Acupuncture helps you treat or even cure back pain in a safe and effective way to help you enjoy life once more. Most acupuncturists have had experience treating back pain and so it is safe to say that several types of back pain are issues that can be treated by acupuncture. However, there are certain types of back pain such as those related to a structural issue in the body that are beyond the acupuncturist’s ability to treat.
The first step in treating back pain using acupuncture treatment is for the sufferer to do a little research about the type of pain he/she is suffering from and how acupuncture can help in treating his/her condition. When the sufferer goes for acupuncture treatment, he/she will first need to answer the questions of the practitioner. These will be questions pertaining to his/her medical history and the type of pain experienced. The acupuncturist may ask if the patient’s pain is constant, achy, sharp or dull. Achy or dull pain is often constant while sharp pain is usually felt when the patient moves in a certain way.
The acupuncturist may also need to know how long the patient has been suffering from the pain. The longer the patient has suffered the pain, the longer type of treatment is required.
The acupuncturist needs to also know exactly where on the part of the back the patient feels the pain. Humans have a lower, middle and upper back. Hip and sciatic pain often is felt on the lower back. Strictly speaking, the pain generated by these two conditions is felt on the gluteal muscle and the sides. The pain can radiate down to the gluteals and affect just one side. Other types of back pain may travel up or down or remain in one location. There are back sufferers with roaming pain that shifts around their back.
The acupuncturist may also ask the patient if he/she has any bodily injury that can be the source of the pain. The pain or discomfort can still be felt from an injury that occurred decades ago and it may likely worsen as the person gets older. You may need to keep a journal or diary of health records so that you can tell the acupuncturist the dates in which you’ve been hurt. If, for example, you’ve been involved in an auto accident your muscles and other soft tissue may have been injured. This injury may not manifest immediately but several years later resulting in back pain and stiffness and muscle spasms years or even decades after. Rough sports and physical activities can bump the body causing injury. If the injury is not treated when it first occurs, it may lead to further problems down the road.
If you go for acupuncture treatment immediately after an injury, even if you don’t feel hurt, it can help prevent chronic muscle pain later on enabling you to enjoy sports and physical activities for the rest of your life. Acupuncture can used as a preventive treatment especially if the injury can mean a life of pleasurable physical activities or being physically incapacitated for a long time.
Back pain acupuncture treatment in Bellingham is extremely effective. Most people report feeling much better. They are able to move better after just a single treatment. Still, multiple sessions are required for optimal results more so if the pain has been with the patient for a long, long time. In some cases, a complete resolution of the back pain results after just a few treatments.
Back pain acupuncture treatment can last permanently or for many years even after the original complaint or issue occurred.
Why Use Drugs When Acupuncture Offers A Much Better Solution for Your Back Pain
No one is immune to bodily pain. Whether it is caused by a serious health condition, a sports injury, a motor accident or by tripping while walking, the next plan of action for people is to relieve the pain as fast as possible and to quicken the process of recovery.
When it comes to back pain, an overwhelming majority of people (83%) have, are experiencing or will experience this condition at some point in their lives. People who need serious treatment for back pain, acupuncture may be the best solution they can try.
A lot of individuals suffering from chronic back pain either use over-the-counter drugs like paracetamol or ibuprofen to mask their pain or just deal with the pain each and every day of their lives. At times, these drugs provide some kind of relief but over time, their potency wane forcing them to take larger doses to generate the same quality of relief. These drugs also have really bad side effects and their long term use can lead to addiction.
Almost all back pain sufferers who have tried acupuncture considered the treatment only after all conventional modes of treatment have been exhausted. Some of the conventional modalities for back pain they have tried including cortisone injections, physical therapy, MRI, and even surgery have not worked.
The first thing to consider when you go for treatment is to realize you don’t need to live with constant pain.
The second thing to do is to talk to a health professional who can address your condition. This means your local acupuncturist in Portland. These holistic medicine professionals can do exams, see if MRIs are necessary, and resolve the underlying cause of the problem instead merely masking the pain with medications.
Your acupuncturist will then examine you thoroughly using unique Chinese medicine diagnostic tools, gather his findings and suggest dietary modifications that can help you live life without pain. Many are unaware that a high intake of sugar lowers the capacity of your immune system and exacerbates the inflammatory response in your body. This means more inflammation in the body and thus more pain.
Moreover, stress is created when you experience pain in your body. But stress also generates pain creating a vicious cycle of pain and stress. Acupuncture can treat inflammation, remove stress and help you sleep well because it is able to banish pain. So if you are tired of your back pain problems, then talk to your acupuncturist today.
Acupuncture Helps Get Rid of Neck Pain and Back Pain Safely and Naturally
In Western cultures such as the United States, acupuncture is widely considered to be an unconventional element of Western medicine for the treatment of neck pain back pain. While it is not widely used as a first line of treatment for most neck or back problems, more and more doctors as well as other health professionals are turning to acupuncture as a way to lessen back and neck pain.
Used as far back as 2500 years ago in China, acupuncture is based on the premise that the body possesses pathways were vital energy circulates throughout the body. This vital energy is called qi or chi by the Chinese; to experience good health, the normal circulation of qi should be maintained in the body.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners believe that the human body possesses over 2000 points and 20 energy channels known as meridians. These channels are where qi circulates throughout the body. With the use of filiform stainless steel sterilized needles, the acupuncturist inserts them into some of these preselected acupoints in an effort to maintain or correct the proper flow of qi.
How Acupuncture Works
Although not verified, the mechanisms of acupuncture have manifested a number of commonly accepted effects to the body. Stimulation of the central nervous system, which comprises the spinal cord and brain, is one of the most notable effects of this therapy. When the needles are inserted, people usually experience a numbing and/or tingling sensation. Afterwards, they may feel either energized or relaxed. This will depend on the person receiving the treatment as well as on how the person perceives the treatment.
There are about one to twenty needles that will be stuck into the person skin during an acupuncture procedure. The depth into which a needle is inserted into the skin may range from a single inch to several inches long. Areas of the body where deeper fat/muscle layers are found are treated with 5 to 9 inches long acupuncture needles. The needles to be used will, of course, depend on the required penetration or depth and on what condition is being treated. The acupuncturist normally leaves the needles in place for 20 minutes to a full hour. There are acupuncturists who turn the needles in one or more directions after they’ve been inserted into the skin. This is done in accordance with what the acupuncturist is trying to achieve. Sometimes, the inserted needles are removed and inserted back into the skin of the patient. Sometimes, the needles are electrically charged or heated after they’ve been inserted into the skin. Electro- acupuncture may be utilized through a non-penetrating probe or with needles.
Acupuncture Considerations
Individuals may experience acupuncture in different ways but almost all of them never describe the treatment as ‘painful’. The tip of an acupuncture needle is not sharp-edged but comes smoothly to a point unlike needles used for drawing blood or for injections. In terms of width, acupuncture needles are 20 times thinner than a typical hypodermic needle used for injections. This is as thin as the hair in your scalp. These needles do not remove tissue as what would happen when using hypodermic needles which makes them really safe to use. There are acupuncturists who integrate moxibustion therapy into an acupuncture procedure where moxa leaves are burnt on the needles while they are inserted in the skin to augment the potency of the treatment.
Some practitioners may use cupping, a procedure in which cups are heated and laid on the skin to generate suction to suck blood close to the skin surface.
Some acupuncturists specialize in treating microsystems. These systems are found on the body particularly on the ear. Ear acupuncture is also known as auriculotherapy. Other microsystems used by acupuncturists include the ones found in the foot, the hand, and the face among many other parts of the body.
Single-use sterilized disposable needles (needles that are sealed prior to use) are the most widely used acupuncture needles in the United States. In the US, only sterile, one-time use needles (that are sealed prior to use) are allowed. These needles are disposed of properly after use in a bio-hazardous waste receptacle.
The insertion of the needles into the body releases certain chemicals in the body. This physiological process helps relieve or even cure neck pain and back pain psychologically and physically.
Acupuncture is believed to work by:
Activating specific electromagnetic points on the body – The 2,000 acupoints on the body is where acupuncture needles are inserted to stimulate electromagnetic energy. When these areas are stimulated, endorphins are released into the bloodstream causing the alleviation of discomfort and pain.
Altering the production and release of neurohormones and neurotransmitters – The needles are believed to stimulate the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus causing the production and secretion of these chemicals. The neurohormones and neurotransmitters are responsible for the suppression of pain as well as the function of specific internal organs. Tests have revealed that acupuncture modifies the chemicals’ release in a way that stops pain. Studies also show that this treatment impacts the immune functions in a positive way.
Releasing opioid peptides – The analgesic effect of opioids causes a significant reduction of pain in the body. Opioids are substances that are naturally developed in the brain and studies have shown that acupuncture activates the central nervous system to help secrete these chemicals.
In spite of the positive opinion of many medical experts about acupuncture’s ability to treat specific conditions, no consensus so far has been reached to make this treatment a formal form of therapy since all could not agree on how it really works. There are others who define the effectiveness of the treatment within the boundaries of TCM principles of meridians and qi while some attribute its success based on certain biological and scientific changes that it causes in the body. There are also some who question if acupuncture does indeed work at all.
Acupuncture Considerations
Considered a safe mode of treatment, acupuncture is seen by practitioners and doctors alike to be a powerful alternative form of treatment or as an adjunct to other medical treatments. In specific cases, it may be used as a replacement for conventional painkillers or used in combination with them.
The NIH (National Institutes of Health) in 1998 announced that evidence abounds showing the effectiveness and pain-relieving abilities of acupuncture in adults who have undergone post surgical dental pain, and in the treating of chemotherapy-related nausea. Acupuncture was also deemed by the NIH to be a valid form of for low back pain and for other painful conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoarthritis, myofascial pain, and headache.
Countries such as China use acupuncture in various ways including stomach and brain surgeries and in other surgeries as well. There are occasions when a surgical procedure would require part anesthesia part acupuncture to suppress pain during surgery.
Dr. Vickery is a licensed acupuncturist in Tarzana, CA., and the founder and clinical director of Vickery Health and Wellness.
Acupuncture Treatment in the Back Results in the Treatment of Back Pain
The internet has its good and bad side when it comes to influencing the consciousness of modern society. A couple of positive things it has produced: it has made people aware of the harmful effects of pharmaceutical products; another thing is that it showed us that there are other alternative and natural forms of treatment that are oftentimes even more effective as conventional medicine but very safe to use. When talking about back pain, a lot of individuals are already utilizing therapeutic massages and organic liniments to resolve it.
One other potent alternative treatment for back pain that has been steadily growing in popularity is acupuncture. You may be able to appreciate this millennia-old treatment even more when you get to know more about it.
As mentioned, acupuncture is a millennia-old treatment, 4,000 years old, to be exact. It originated in China and is now being practiced by tens of thousands of practitioners all around the world. In the United States, this modality has legions of adherents because of its extreme effectiveness in treating conditions such as the ubiquitous back pain.
Acupuncturists perform acupuncture by inserting needles in strategic and specific points in the body called acupoints. This generates a therapeutic response that enables the body to self-heal. Back pain is treated this way. Ultra fine needles are inserted into predetermined points in the back to restore the smooth flow of blood and energy in the back resulting in the lessening or removal of the pain.
Unfortunately, some people tend to dislike needles especially when they’re used to puncture the skin. Those scared of needles but still want the benefits of acupuncture go out to try sham acupuncture. This procedure uses toothpicks instead of needles on acupoints.
While no available study exists to prove that needle acupuncture is more effective than sham acupuncture, when it comes to back pain treatment, we can safely say that acupuncture in general, can generate results that vary from person to person. It may work for some individuals but may not be effective at all for others.
It is important to only consult with a licensed acupuncturist in order to avoid accidents and infections.
Back Pain Treatments and Drugs
When the physician has diagnosed your back problem, then the next step is for him to create a treatment plan for you. Sometimes your treatment plan may entail more than one procedure to treat your condition most effectively. Your treatment plan may entail, for example, a combination of regular massages, physical therapy and prescription medications to make it maximally effective.
The kind of treatment you will be getting for your back pain will be based on the cause and severity of the pain. One of the most common procedures for back pain is medication which quickly relieves your pain albeit transitorily.
Prescribed Medications for Back Pain
Prior to prescribing your medications, the doctor will need to know the other medications you’re presently taking. This is important to help him prescribe to you other drugs that will not harmfully interact with your other medications.
Opioids – Opioids are given for severe types of back pain. These kinds of drugs like morphine are administered under a physician’s careful supervision and are used to manage chronic pain.
Anti-depressants – Antidepressants work by blocking pain receptors from reaching your brain.
These are effective pain blockers that are used to relieve chronic back pain.
Muscle relaxants – If you are suffering from chronic back pain caused by muscle spasms, then relaxing these muscles is one way to relieve this type of pain.
Over-the-Counter Medications for Back Pain
Over-the-counter drugs are also useful in relieving many types of back pain and are ideal for the treatment of acute back pain.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs – Aspirin and ibuprofen are the most common forms of these drugs and they are good at reducing not only pain but inflammation as well.
Acetaminophen – This type of drug, Tylenol being one example, is good at relieving body pain including back pain; however it is useless at addressing inflammation.
Spinal Injections for Back Pain Treatment
Spinal injections are other effective ways to give relief for back pain.
Epidural steroid injection – This is a powerful injection that delivers steroids to battle inflammation of the nerve root. The doctor usually administers two or three injections to the affected part of the back. Three injections is usually the maximum dose since side effects can develop if more than three is given.
Other injections – These can include facet joint injection for the relief of spinal arthritis pain, mechanical back stress or back injury pain.
Other Treatments for Back Pain
Spinal injections and medications are the most common conventional treatments for back pain. Other alternative back pain treatments that can prove just as effective to address your back pain include:
- Exercise – This exercise can involve stretching or light walking. They are very effective relievers of back pain and can make the back strong and healthy. They also enable you to manage your back pain effectively and prevent it from worsening.
- Spinal bracing – The use of a spinal brace is to protect a spine suffering from, say, spinal fracture from worsening. It helps to control back pain by curtailing unnecessary and extreme movements and to stabilize your spine.
- Physical therapy – Physical therapy or PT for short, adopts various kinds of techniques to address back pain. These therapies include the use of cold and hot therapies among many others.
- Chiropractic care – This is a specialized form of spinal cord treatment that addresses many kinds of back pain and back problems and safeguards the back from worsening its already bad condition.
- Alternative therapies – Some of the most effective alternative back pain treatments include physiotherapy to help relieve muscle pain and inflammation.
- Acupuncture – Acupuncture involves the use of sterilized and very thin non hollow needles inserted at certain points in the body. Many back sufferers have reported long term pain relief from their acupuncture therapy.
- Yoga – Yoga has many poses and postures and basically all of them involve relaxation techniques and breathing exercises. Studies have shown that yoga provides back pain sufferers some kind of relief from their pain.
If all these treatments prove unfruitful in addressing your back pain, one other radical form of treatment you can try is back surgery. It is up to your doctor to decide whether this course of action is really needed for your condition.
It is always important to talk about all your treatment choices with your doctor so you may choose the best treatment plan for yourself.
Healing the Body by Chiropractor in Livingston NJ.
The most potent technique by a Livingston NJ chiropractor is called a chiropractic adjustment. Chiropractic is a process where the chiropractor’s hands use calibrated pressure on the spine towards directions meant to reposition misaligned spinal joints back into their normal spinal position. This technique is commonly used for health issues such as neck pain, headaches or lower back pain to mention some.
Chiropractic philosophy relates to the reasons why the body can capably heal itself and the ways chiropractors help toward achieving this end. If one gets injured in an accident, the body has a healing mechanism to heal the injury. However, factors occur that impedes this process. In addition, the body may be injured to the extent that self-healing is not achievable.
Nature can be both destructive and beneficial to the body. Hot and cold weather, disease and injury can be termed as external destructive forces (EDFs). They relentlessly attack the body and the body needs to adapt and react in a way that it preserves its own health. The mechanisms that assist the body to cope with the attacks of the external destructive forces are called the internal resistive forces (IRFs). The adequate resistance and adaptation of the IRFs is enough to protect the body from the constant onslaught of the EDFs preserving the health of the person. However, too much exposure to severe EDF can imperil the health of the body. An example of this would be a homeless person with inadequate clothing dying of hypothermia because he slept in the middle of a winter blizzard outside the streets. Another factor that can cause the body to ill health is a weakened IRF. Poor neural signals transmitted between the brain and the rest of the body, physical and mental stress, inadequate sleep or poor nutrition can severely weaken the body’s IRF.
Chiropractic adjustments can treat the weak signals between the brain and the other body systems. Through the spinal cord, the brain sends and receives signals to the whole body system. The cause of these weak signals can be traced to the health of the spine itself. There are factors such as old age, sport or vehicular accidents or falls that can displace the spinal joint. A displaced joint can then bear pressure and pinch a nerve root exiting out of the spine. The pinched nerve then is unable to send out clear and coherent signals between the brain and the organ or body system the nerve is associated with causing dysfunctions on those organs or body systems. Moreover, the pinch causes pain in the back of the body. More often than not, a pinched nerve weakens the immune function thus making the body prone to diseases and infections. This is where chiropractic adjustments become so beneficial to the health of the person. The adjustments help to realign the joints and remove the pain. The body then is allowed to heal itself in a safe and natural way.