One of the most common types of pain treated at Above & Beyond Acupuncture in Scottsdale, Arizona, is back pain. There are a variety of causes that can trigger this type of pain. They include (but are not limited to) injury, strain or structural defect. Regardless of the cause, suffering with back pain can greatly affect an individual’s quality of life, limiting his or her ability to be active and mobile.
There are millions of people in the United States who are currently experiencing some type of back pain and are in desperate need of relief. Western and Eastern medicine both provide options for those who are suffering, but they differ greatly in approach. Western medicine is symptom-based and is generally geared at alleviating those symptoms, while Eastern medicine focuses primarily on resolving the root cause of the issue. Taking a trip to any local pharmacy will exemplify the Western approach, with aisles full of medications that help relieve pain. These remedies will mask the issue and not provide any lasting relief. The pain will most likely return.
With so many people in America experiencing back pain, we felt it was important to provide some information about how acupuncture can be used to alleviate pain, provide a path toward resolution, and improve quality of life.
Is acupuncture effective in relieving back pain?
The University of Maryland Medical Center published a study titled “Study Analysis Shows Acupuncture Effective for Treating Chronic Low Back Pain” [Link] Through detailed testing and scientific processes, the center was able to provide evidence that acupuncture is an effective treatment modality and can bring measurable relief to those suffering with back pain.
The analysis of the data obtained from patients who were treated with acupuncture provided clear evidence that they had received considerable relief from their symptoms. The study also revealed that the alleviation of pain was not due to a placebo effect, which is what some critics of Eastern medicine claim when refuting its effectiveness.
The author of the study stated that from their analysis, the message for people with chronic low back pain is that acupuncture is a truly effective therapy that provides significant pain relief. He also shared that individuals with low back pain have multiple options for treatment, including medication, chiropractic care, physical therapy and back exercises. While the author noted that these treatments do not always help, scientific evidence indicates that they have only modest effectiveness.
This study provides ample support that acupuncture is effective at relieving back pain, and its finding should prove worthy to those who need scientific validity. If you’re currently suffering or know someone who is having back pain, please schedule an appointment to see a licensed acupuncturist at Above & Beyond Acupuncture to get substantial and long-lasting relief.
