Acupuncture
and Low Back Pain
Low
back pain is an extremely common concern, affecting anywhere from 75
to 90 percent of people at some point in their lives. Low back pain
is second only to the common cold as a cause of lost days at work
and is one of the most common reasons to seek medical care,
including acupuncture. In fact, one of the top reasons that people
get acupuncture treatments is for low back pain.
The
Oriental Medicine Perspective of Low Back Pain
In spite
of the large number of pathological conditions that can give rise to
low back pain, up to 85% of the cases are classified by Western
physicians as 'non-specific'. When low back pain is looked at
from an Oriental medicine perspective, it is seen as a disruption of
the flow of Qi within the area and associated with a specific
disharmony and then treated accordingly.
The basis of
acupuncture is expressed in this famous Chinese saying: "Bu tong
ze tong, tong ze bu tong" which means "free flow: no pain, no
free flow: pain."
In other words, any kind of pain or
illness represents an obstruction in the normal flow of Qi or life
force. Simply put, acupuncture moves Qi, restoring free
flow.
The disruption of Qi that results in low back pain is
usually associated with the following three
disharmonies:
Weak Kidney Qi - In Oriental medicine,
the lower back is referred to as the “dwelling of the Kidneys”. The
majority of chronic low back pain conditions are associated with
Kidney Deficiency. Kidney Deficiency type pain is dull and comes and
goes. It is usually aggravated by over tiredness and improves with
rest.
Stagnation of Qi and Blood - When the flow of
Qi along the meridians that traverse the lumbar region becomes
congested, it is referred to as the stagnation of Qi and blood. This
presents with a severe stabbing pain that is worse with rest and
better with movement, tender to touch and can be accompanied by
stiffness and tightness.
Invasion of Cold and Dampness
- Cold, damp type pain is worse in the morning and when the
weather is cold and damp. This type of pain improves with movement
and the application of heat. Stiffness and contraction of back
muscles that is aggravated by rest indicates cold predominance while
swelling, numbness and a heavy sensation are indicative of
dampness.
If you or someone you love suffers from acute
and chronic back pain, please call to find out more about how
acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help you.
Studies
on Acupuncture and Low Back Pain
While acupuncture is readily accepted
as a viable option for low back pain in mainstream modern medicine,
there has been little research to prove that it works. Now there are
studies that support the clinical evidence.
In a German
study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, 1,162
adults with chronic, lower back pain were divided into groups
treated with the standard pharmaceutical and exercise therapy
commonly used in Western medicine and acupuncture. The researchers
reported that acupuncture provided relief and lasting benefit to
nearly twice as many lower back pain patients as drugs and exercise.
Forty-eight percent of the acupuncture patients reported at least a
one-third decrease in pain along with improvement in their ability
to function, versus 27 percent of the patients treated with
conventional methods reporting such benefits.
In another
recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine,
researchers from the University of Maryland School of Medicine
analyzed 33 studies covering more than 2,100 patients from around
the world on acupuncture for low back pain.
They found
acupuncture provided definite pain relief in the short-term (defined
as relief sustained for three weeks after the end of the acupuncture
sessions).
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In
This Issue
- Acupuncture and Low Back Pain
- Studies on Acupuncture and Low Back Pain
- “That’s it!” Points
“That’s
it!” Points
Ah Shi or “That’s it!” PointsNot all
acupuncture points have a name and specific location. Some of the
most effective points to use in acupuncture are local points of
tenderness. These points are referred to as Ah Shi points which in
Chinese literally means, “That’s the point!” Ah Shi or
“that’s it!” points were first mentioned during the Tang Dynasty
(founded in 618 AD) classic Thousand Ducat Prescriptions.
These points become spontaneously tender when disease or injury
occurs, or in locations where Qi has become congested but which are
not among the regular acupuncture points on a specific meridian or
pathway. Their locations are not fixed; they are the points
that, upon palpation, are the most sensitive. In many cases a small
knot or pea sized nodule can be felt under the skin at these points
of tenderness. The Ah Shi points are especially effective in
the treatment of pain and are often used in conjunction with local
and distal acupuncture points. If you have pain, palpate
around the area of pain to see if you can find the Ah Shi points.
This is a great way to self treat the problem.
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