Can Medical Acupuncture Help Relieve Back Pain?


Living with back pain can be tough. It can affect your sleep, your work, and even your enjoyment of the things you love most. At its worst, it can become completely debilitating, making it impossible to perform even the simplest of tasks.

While over-the-counter and prescription pain medications can offer some short-term relief, they don’t get to the root of the problem, and can become addictive over time. Your doctor might recommend surgery, but the thought can be daunting.

The good news is, there are other options. Many patients with back pain have experienced long-lasting relief with medical acupuncture, either on its own or as complementary to another form of treatment. Acupuncture is safe and usually painless, and unlike surgery, it doesn’t have a long recovery period. If you’ve never considered acupuncture before, here’s a little guide to help you decide if it’s right for you.

What is medical acupuncture?

Medical acupuncture is acupuncture performed by a medical doctor who has specialized training in this treatment. The treatment draws on ancient Eastern medicine to enhance modern Western approaches to treating back pain.

During an acupuncture session, the doctor will insert hair-thin needles into your skin at specific points to stimulate healing and relieve pain. This works by balancing the flow of energy (known as Qi) within the body, since it is blockages and imbalances of this energy that are thought to be the source of illnesses and pain. Acupuncture achieves its healing effects by stimulating the nervous system. This leads to the release of natural chemicals in the body, such as endorphins, that encourage the body to heal itself.

What are the benefits of medical acupuncture for back pain?

Many patients have found that acupuncture can drastically relieve their back pain after even a single session, although several sessions are often required to achieve the maximum benefit of the treatment. The treatment often instills a feeling of relaxation, so much so that many patients even fall asleep during their session. But acupuncture can also be highly invigorating, giving you more energy to get up and moving again, free from pain.

One of the most beneficial aspects of acupuncture is that it’s holistic, meaning it takes the entire body into account. Rather that treating just a single symptom (like pain), acupuncture aims to get to the root of the problem. This can promote a sensation of whole-body wellness that goes beyond simple pain relief.

If you’re interested in trying medical acupuncture for yourself, our specially trained doctors are here to answer any questions and put your mind at ease. To find out more or to book a session, contact us today.

If you are interested in scheduling an appointment, learning more about our services or have a general question, please contact us online to schedule an appointment.

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