Seattle Community Acupuncture
Low back pain is the second most frequent reason that Americans see their doctors -- second only to colds and flus. Low back pain may be acute (less than one month), or chronic (longer than three months). It is an emergency situation if you have lost bowel or bladder control with low back pain.
There are many treatment options for low back pain, including medication, chiropractic care, physical therapy and back exercises. However, acupuncture is a safe and effective procedure for low-back pain, and it can maintain positive outcomes for periods of six months or longer without producing the negative side-effects. The use of acupuncture does not preclude the concurrent use of Western medical therapies and often, both are utilized to successfully treat a patient.
In Chinese medicine, the low back is the residence of the Kidneys. So the low back pain is most closely related the disterbance of the Kidney system. "If there is free flow, there is no pain; If there is no free flow, there is pain". This means if the Qi and/or blood stagnate in the channel(s), specifically through the region of the low back, there will be pain.
Three main reasons for low back pain in Chinese medicine are:
1. An external invasion of wind, cold, dampness, or heat may invade the lower back region causing pain. Pain from cold damp obstruction is worse in the morning, exacerbated by cold and damp weather. It improves with heat and may be accompanied by numbness, swelling and a sense of heaviness.
2. The Qi and blood can stagnate due to trauma (i.e. lifting, repetitive strain over time, an accident or similar sprain). Pain from stagnation is more severe and stabbing in nature. There is stiffness and tightness in the muscles and it worsens with rest. This type is often seen in occurrences of acute sprains and strains. It can reoccur chronically, thereby indicating an underlying deficiency.
3. There may be an insufficiency of Qi or blood creating a sluggishness or stagnation of flow throughout the channel(s). This is an internal cause or weakness with a number of possible etiologies such as:
- Poor diet, insufficient rest coupled with too much activity or overwork (i.e. busy lives, excessive sex*), overuse of drugs, chronic illness, heredity weakness, an excess of the emotions fear and anxiety, and general aging as our Qi is naturally declining.
- The Chinese believe that a healthy, moderate amount of sex supports a good flow of Qi and too much sex (specifically ejaculation for men and childbirth for women), depletes the Qi, blood and essence of the Kidneys.
Pain that results from deficiency is usually dull, chronic, and improves with rest. It is more common in middle aged and elderly people.
When low back pain is treated with acupuncture, both local (at the site of pain) and distal (away from the area of pain) points will be used to help resolve the problem. Distal points are very important, especially in acute pain. There are many local points on the back and often a practitioner will palpate your body to find the most sensitive spots and needle those. Other adjuncts to treatment might include: Tui Na, cupping, moxibustion, and ear acupuncture.
Generally, it is advisable to have frequent treatment initially and taper off as the pain diminishes. If the channels have been blocked for a long period of time, or if there is pronounced deficiency of Qi and blood, it is necessary to have acupuncture for a longer period of time to assist the body in regaining its normal function. Herbs can also be helpful in moving blood and reducing inflammation as well as strengthening a deficient condition.
Patients with low back pain will get traditional Chinese acupuncture treatment at Green Point Acupuncture L.L.C.. The mission of our acupuncturists is to improve the quality of a patient’s life by providing natural health care that focuses on the whole person. The patients will get healing benefits of acupuncture treatment from experienced Chinese acupuncturists.
Reference:
Green Point Acupuncture L.L.C.