Persistent Back Pain? Time to Try Acupuncture!

While acupuncture is an ancient form of Chinese medicine dating back more than 2,500 years ago, this unique alternative medicine option is widely used for treating various health conditions, including back pain. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the human body has over 2,000 acupuncture points. The interconnected points allows the body to create energy flow that support overall health.

Acupuncture alleviates painful back muscles and joints by targeting specific points at the back of the body. The registered acupunturist will insert thin needles at targeted acupoints, corresponding to the meridians (also known as the “energy centres”) that affect body function. Stimulating these points helps restore the natural balance in the body, which help ease painful symptoms.

It is thought that the amazing acupuncture benefits come from stimulating the central nervous system. This prompts the body to produce chemicals into the brain, muscles, and spinal cord. These chemicals can either help relieve pain or trigger positive bodily changes that promote a sense of well-being.

Other health professionals suggest acupuncture works by:

• Acceleraing the transmission of electromagnetic signals. This either triggers the production of pain-killing chemicals, such as endorphins, or boost the immune system of the body.
• Activating the production of natural opioids, the brain chemicals that alleviates the feelings of pain or promote sleep.

Back pain is one of the most common forms of chronic condition in Canada. About 4 out of 5 Canadian adults experience episodes fo back pain at some point in their lives. However, chronic back pain is a frequent occurrence in people aged between 30 and 50. Back pain does not discriminate—it affects both in men and women.

In many cases, chronic back pain can be so excruciating that it affects your quality of life, preventing you from enjoying your favourite activities. For this reason, people are seeking acupuncture for back pain treatment.

Back pain is one of the top reasons people seek medical treatment. It is also the No. 1 reported reason for seeking acupuncture. Many people who have chronic low back pain have found acupuncture to be helpful.

How Acupuncture Treats Persistent Back Pain

Changing the chemistry of the brain by releasing neurotransmitters (stimulates or dampen nerve impulses) and neurohormones (affects the function of the body organs).

Acupuncture for Back Pain Relief

When back pain becomes unbearable, people look for a safe and effective treatment to ease the discomfort. If you have tried other treatments but did not work, then it is time to consider acupuncture for back pain relief.

• Induce Healing Chemicals That Relieve Pain Naturally
  The acupuncture needles activates the central nervous system to release natural healing hormones, such as endorphines and serotonin into the body to reduce and even get rid of discomfort to promote overall wellness. It also triggers the release of the body’s natural painkillers to alleviate painful symptoms. By stimulating the body’s natural healing abilities, it helps boost energy, restore biochemical balance to boost physical and emotional wellbeing.
• Alters Brain Chemistry
  Acupuncture therapy works by making modifications to the brains’s chemistry to trigger the production of neurotransmitters or neurohormones. These natural chemicals play a significant factor in changing the level of pain or prompt the production of other chemicals and hormones that affect the internal regulating system of the body.
• Removes Body Blockage
  This ancient Chinese medicine is founded on the belief that pain is caused when a person’s energy channels are blocked. Targeting specific points helps clear away the blockages, allowing the energy to flow more smoothly throughout the body again.

How to Prepare for Your First Acupuncture Therapy Session

It is normal to feel a little bit anxious for your first acupuncture treatment. Most first-time acupuncture patients agree that it is not the pain that made them concerned but what to expect during and after the treatment. However, this concern can be easily overcome when you know that you are in good hands. Having a highly experienced and skilled acupuncturist can make you feel relaxed throughout the therapy session.

If this is your first acupuncture session, there are several things that can help make the treatment comfortable as possible. Here are several tips that will help you prepare for your first acupuncture therapy

• The acupuncturist may recommend eating an appropriate amount of food 2 hours before the session.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing to allow the acupuncturist to easily insert the needles in targeted points.
• Do not engage in strenuous activities before your appointment to allow your body to relax.
• Do not book other therapeutic sessions, like massage therapy, on the same day as this can be too much for your body.
• Avoid consuming alcoholic and caffeinated drinks as it can cause your heart rate and blood pressure to increase.

What to Expect During Acupuncture Treatment

To know if acupuncture is the right treatment for your back pain, the licensed acupuncturist will evaluate your medical history and symptoms to determine the imbalances in your body. Using the information gathered from evaluation, the acupuncturist will choose the appropriate points to insert the needles to restore the balance of energy flow, treat back pain, as well as the underlying conditions that may be connected.

Lying down or sitting on the table, the acupuncturist will insert the needles into different points known as meridians or the energy channels in the body. This will help regulate and restore the body back to homeostasis or wellness.

Depending on the treatment, typical acupuncture sessions may go for about 20 to 30 minutes. The acupuncturist uses dim lights and puts on a relaxing music to make you feel comfortable throughout the session. Some patients even report falling asleep during the treatment process.

Do you want to find out if back acupuncture is the right treatment that will provide the relief you need to bounce back to your daily activities without experiencing pain and discomfort? Call Oriole Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Centre at (416) 221-0772 to set up an acupuncture appointment in our physiotherapy clinic in North York. We will be happy to provide more information about our acupuncture service and answer any questions you may have.