Key Takeaways
- Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese Medicine that uses acupuncture needles to alleviate pain and discomfort.
- The procedure involves inserting one to twenty needles into specific points, stimulating the nervous system and releasing beneficial chemicals.
- Acupuncture can effectively treat various types of pain, especially back pain, by releasing natural opioids that reduce pain and improve sleep quality.
- The treatment is safe and causes little to no pain, due to the small size of the needles used compared to regular injection needles.
- Acupuncture serves as an effective alternative to traditional medication for managing pain, including back pain, arthritis, and knee pain.
Acupuncture is a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine which utilizes acupuncture needles to stimulate certain parts of the body with the purpose of alleviating pain, discomfort, stagnation and illness. It has been used to treat back pain and all other types of pain in the body for thousands of years.
How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture is a Chinese medical practice which was created over four thousand years ago. There are an exceptional number of acupuncture cases that show its profound effects on the human body. The needles used in acupuncture treatments aid in stimulating the nervous system; including, the brain and spinal cord. The stimulation releases chemicals which affect different parts of the body.
During this process, anywhere between one and twenty needles are strategically inserted into acupuncture points. These needles can penetrate the skin for several inches or they can just break the surface. Spine-health.com states that where these needles are placed depends entirely on the condition that is being treated. They can be placed into areas of muscle, fat, or even under scalp tissue.
The Effects
The effects of acupuncture on the body vary deeply based on who is receiving the treatment and how long their condition has existed. The most common effects are a tingling sensation, total relaxation, and some people even feel energized. The treatment has rarely been described as painful because the needles that are used are entirely different that the typical needles which are used for injections; in fact, they’re twenty times smaller. Along with its lack of pain, acupuncture has been proven to be safe when performed by licensed acupuncturists. There is always concern for safety when needles are involved; however, these are FDA approved and sterile. The few complications with this practice makes it even more appealing, but there are those who do not know how to practice it properly. Acupuncture performed by physical therapists (also known as dry needling) can potentially lead to punctured organs and injuries to the nervous system.
Acupuncture and Back Pain
According to WebMd’s website, back pain is one of the top reasons why people visit the doctor’s office; however, back pain can be treated using acupuncture. This website also states that acupuncture may work at preventing back pain by releasing natural opioids. Opioids are a chemical which the brain releases in order to reduce the amount of pain one experiences and improves the quality of sleep.
Back pain reportedly affects over a million people in the United Kingdom, according to the British Acupuncture Council, especially lower back pain. For those who want to replace existing medication or for those with the most severe symptoms, acupuncture might be their best option. Studies have shown that real acupuncture, compared to no acupuncture or simulated (sham) acupuncture, is one of the most effective ways to treat back pain.
Conclusion
Acupuncture is a legitimate alternative to traditional forms of medication. Apart from back pain, this practice can also help in relieving the pain of arthritis, knee pain, neck pain, and more. Whatever one’s reason for needing acupuncture, his or her pain will certainly be lessened. As with any method of care, be sure to speak with your practitioner about the length of time and intensity it will take to treat our specific pain level.
