Acupuncture and Low Back Pain

Acupuncture and Chronic Low Back Pain

Low back pain remains as one of the most frequented reasons to visit a doctor. However, the most common problem is “nonspecific” or “idiopathic” low back pain, and it is this disorder that is most often associated with chronic or recurrent symptoms.

 

Alternate medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine [TCM] treatments such as Acupuncture are helpful in treating such conditions. TCM works on the physiological system which looks at the harmony between the body, mind and spirit. Internal disharmony is believed to be due to a blockage or improper flow of the energy or Qi. Acupuncture needles inserted at specific acu-points are believed to restore the proper flow of Qi.

 

Acupuncture can be used as a multidisciplinary approach before or together with conventional treatment such as physical therapy, pain medicine etc. Caution should be taken that electro-acupuncture is not performed on patients with implanted electric devices such as pacemakers.

 

During an acupuncture session for low back pain, and based on patient history and physical examination, specific areas will be identified for needle insertion. Nonetheless, there are common acu-points that may be used to treat low back pain. Supplementary procedures such as tongue checks and or herbal medicines may be used to comprehensively treat the condition.

 

Typically post insertion of needles, the patient is advised to rest and relax for about 15-30 minutes. Manual stimulation of needles by the practitioner may be done to create a dull, localized “needle grasp” tugging sensation. Further stimulation can be done using moxibustion (burning the herb at the end of the needle) and application of heat.

 

Although number of sessions of acupuncture varies from case to case, a minimum of around 10 sessions maybe needed, with visits of at least twice a week. Major side effects from acupuncture are rare and it is mostly considered a safe practice. Acupuncture has shown to have an effect on the limbic structure post treatment for low back pain patients.

 

Acupuncture provides short-term pain relief and functional improvement and is a recommended option for low back pain treatments. Physiotherapy in the form of mild stretching and strengthening programs go a long way in aiding the acupuncture program.

 

At the end of treatment, the patient’s response, particularly - levels of pain, mood, and general activity level are checked and it is determined whether additional acupuncture treatments should be received or not.

Stability for a Healthy Lower Back

 

Core Stabilization for a Healthy Lower Back.

While specific programs that are individualized and tailor made for each patient gets betters results, there are certainly some repetitive generic points that can be used for patients undergoing spinal rehabilitation and stabilization.

·         Exercise in moderation is better than in excess. Take it slow and steady and monitor the progress. Exercises such as bending forward and touching the toes should be avoided at this time because it can damage the discs of the lower back.

·         Ideally one should balance both flexibility of the spine and its stability. Increased flexibility to a joint actually reduces its stability factor. As such moderation is a term to be kept in mind when performing spinal exercises.

·         It has been documented that the spinal discs lose fluid during the day and re-hydrate during the night and rest times. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid make any harsh quick movements on waking up early or excessively straining the back.

·         While weight lifting is a good way to build core strength, doing so while being seated is very detrimental. Other exercises such as pull ups and machine based systems for such activity are alright. Endurance building is recommended over quick sprint sets i.e. a little each day rather than a long session two to three days a week.

·         Flow with the natural curve of the spine. It is better advised to maintain a natural neutral lumbar curve while going about daily exercises and routine rather than bending or flexing it forward. 

·         Aerobic exercises are well recommended for preventing lower back pains with emphasis on brisk walking. Additionally exercises like swimming, deep water running, climbing stairs etc help with maintain both stability and flexibility of the spine.

 

Ref: yourbetterback.com

Korean Acupuncture and Herb Clinic's Cervical Herniated Disc Program

 

What is Cervical Disc?

Typical pain patterns and neurological deficits

C 4-5 Shoulder pain, Weakness in the Deltoid Muscle in the upper arm. Does not usually cause tingling and numbness.

C 5-6 Weakness in the Biceps and wrist Extensor Muscles. Numbness and tingling can radiate to thumb side of the hand along with pain.

C 6-7 Weakness in the Triceps and finger Extensor Muscles. Numbness and tingling along with pain can radiate down to triceps and into the middle finger.

C7-T1 Weakness with handgrip. Numbness and tingling with pain radiate to little finger and side of hand.

C5-6 and C6-7 are common reasons for Cervical disc.

How do conservative and non-invasive treatments work?

 

 

 

80% of disc is water, so it can be absorbed

What are signs of full recovery of Cervical Herniated Disc?

1.     Strengthened neck and shoulder, to get dynamic stabilization and prevent recurrence.

2.     Not only pain relief but, strong neck and shoulder

 

Cervical Disc program in Korean Acupuncture and Herb Clinic.

·         Electro Acupuncture and 5 elements Acupuncture, Cupping for inflammation and pain

·         Ice packs are used to reduce pain and inflammation.

·         Nerve stretching

·         Core stability program