Acupuncture treatment for back pain involves the insertion of very thin needles into different sections of the body specifically in various depths of strategic points. This is believed to balance the flow of energy or life force in the body known as chi or qi. This special kind of energy flows through pathways in the body known as meridians.

A lot of scientists still don’t fully understand how or why acupuncture can relieve chronic back pain. If you base it on ancient Chinese texts, an illness or any condition happens when there is a blockage in the flow of energy into the meridians. By inserting thin needles to certain points into the body, this will help unblock the blocked spaces to allow the free flow of energy into the meridians. This will then stimulate the body’s natural mechanism to heal itself to allow the restoration of daily human functions.

According to modern science, acupuncture stimulates nerve impulses in the body that influences its natural healing abilities. Because of these a lot of studies have been conducted to compare the effects of acupuncture. A lot of studies claim that acupuncture causes the same effects as minimal or simulated. This is known as sham acupuncture which involves tapping the skin with a toothpick at the same strategic locations used in acupuncture to stimulate the insertion of needle. To the benefits of acupuncture, sham acupuncture may not be the best way. Due to the possibility that acupuncture points can be stimulated even with surface pressure both the traditional form of acupuncture and sham acupuncture can improve chronic back pain over usual medical treatments.

Acupuncture is generally recognized as safe if it is done by a certified and competent acupuncture practitioner. But as all forms of medical treatments, possible side effects and even complications can occur and this usually includes bleeding, soreness, infection and bruising at the needle sites.

The one thing that you must understand is that acupuncture treatment responds differently to every individual. To some it can be a cure for back pain but if your back pain doesn’t improve with a few weeks during treatment, acupuncture may not be the right treatment for you. So if you are considering acupuncture back pain for the first time, talk with your doctor about your options and have them refer you to acupuncturists.

As the word suggest, acupuncture punctures the skin using very thin and long needles. The needles used do not resemble the needles commonly seen in a western doctor’s office. Acupuncture needles are flexible lengths of disposable needles and they are made up of hypoallergenic, sterile metal that only trained acupuncturist can insert it beneath the skin, muscle or tissue. Acupuncture doesn’t hurt at all as long as the procedure is executed properly. The purpose of this treatment is that the needles must reach certain points called pressure points to break up the blockages of chi.

Acupressure can be different from acupuncture in terms of application of the technique. Acupuncture has to be performed by a practitioner experience in TCM. More than a few pressure points are accessed at the same time in specific combinations. The patient usually disrobes since the acupuncturists needs to reach the bare skin.

Anyone can learn acupressure and it can be achieved by reading a handbook about pressure points that relieve discomforts. It is even possible for you to perform miniature massages on yourself. It is believed to relieve dehydration if you massage the muscle located between your index finger and thumb. It even eases motion sickness if you press a spot inside your forearm. An acupressurist only touches two or maybe one points at a time since they use their thumbs, fingers, palms and elbows. This can technique can be administered through loose clothing this is similar to massage.

Acupressure is believed to be older than acupuncture and it has started way back in 2500 BCE in China. Acupressure and acupuncture have been evaluated by the standards of western medicine and there are studies conducted that show they are effective.

Generally, since acupuncture tool is so thin it requires much accuracy therefore giving quicker relief. Acupressure on the other hand is less precise since it involves the use of wide tool like the fingers and if this form of treatment is rushed, this could result side effects since the muscles will be realigned and toxins were released. Acupuncture clinic in Miami offers a wide range of non-needle treatment services like acupressure and this is the best way to get the health benefits of acupuncture without being anxious about acupuncture needles.

There are numerous treatments available for low back pain and acupuncture has apparently demonstrated its effectiveness to many low back pain syndromes. Achieving a successful level of reduced pain is the most important item to consider followed by stabilization and correction of the condition. Pain relief is paramount as agreed by most low back pain sufferers.

A lot of reports in the last four decades have been revealed that showed acupuncture can successfully treat low back pain. In fact, a very rare individual who was supposed to be referred to surgery thought that surgery was not the only viable solution.   Regardless of the specific cause, the vast majority of cases have experienced considerable pain relief in just a very time after being administered with a specialized acupuncture formula. In most cases, pain relief was considerable before physiotherapy or chiropractic procedures could be implemented. It has proven the test of time but this procedure is not considered a cure for all or every lumbar pain syndrome. It does not do what physical therapy can do regarding structures nor do what chiropractic, physiotherapy, soft-tissue treatment, therapeutic massage and other non-invasive procedures can do to strengthen ligaments, tendons or muscles. Its main purpose is for early pain relief.

How Acupuncture Works for Low Back Pain

According to ancient Chinese study, there is an inner energy or force that is more than neurotransmitters and vibrating molecules. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this vital energy or force is called “qi” pronounced as chee. Any physical dysfunction like low back pain is considered in TCM is caused by a blocked or stagnant “qi” in that area. Back pain can also be related to liver, spleen or kidney stagnation and dysfunction. In acupuncture treatment, needles are inserted to break up that blockage to let the “qi” to move freely within the channels and alleviate low back pain.

Acupuncture is generally the treatment of choice in acute cases of low back pain and it has been found to be very effective. In treating acute cases of low back pain, the principle of treatment is to revitalize blood and “qi” to remove stagnation and unblock channels the channels to stop or reduce pain. In acute cases, the main focus is to use distal points with strong stimulation. Chronic cases of low back pain on the other hand, require the principle of treatment which is to expel any pathogens that invaded the body. This will invigorate the circulation of the blood and “qi” and tone and underlying deficiencies. Mostly in chronic cases of low back pain points local to the area of pain and distal points would be used in combination with the other.