Acupuncture for the spine is considered one of the safest and most effective methods in natural medicine. Through the use of the correct puncture points, it is possible to eliminate various types of pain. Very often, only acupuncture is able to remove very troublesome ailments for which traditional painkillers are not effective. It also makes it possible to reduce the amount of medication taken.
Acupuncture for the spine - causes of pain felt in the back
Acupuncture treats by pricking the body with needles. It is used in a variety of therapies for the elimination of pain. Among other things, it is used for the treatment of troublesome back pain. It is most commonly used for people suffering from locomotor disorders, pain in the spine, muscles and joints. This is because it is in these areas that the energy channels run. They run along the spine, on the shoulders and on the arms.
One of the most common causes of back pain are overstretching of ligaments and muscle damage caused during sudden movement. Another reason may be a herniated intervertebral disc, which bulges between two vertebrae. Often pain is also caused by sciatica or shoulder sciatica. There is also a form of pain that manifests itself in the back, but originates in other internal organs, such as the digestive system or kidneys. Most often, however, the discomfort is caused by increased tension in the muscles located at the spine. Too much tension in these muscles also increases the pressure on the vertebrae, causing the patient to experience additional pain.
Acupuncture for the spine is a method that essentially affects muscle relaxation and the elimination of muscle contracture, as the insertion of the needle causes relaxation and the cessation of pain.
How does acupuncture work on the spine?
The spine is an area that is extremely difficult to treat effectively, as it is under very high stress. The limited effectiveness of traditional therapies means that many times acupuncture is the only salvation for nagging back pain. Scientists have proven that it is the most effective therapy for back pain. The conclusions of a study into the effectiveness of this method were published in the prestigious journal Internal Archives of Medicine. They showed that a series of acupuncture treatments reduced the frequency of back pain and provided significant relief.
Acupuncture is method of treatment, which restores the body's natural harmony and balance, which stimulates healing and promotes health. It is one of the basic procedures used by traditional Chinese medicine.
This is because its use helps to break up the 'stasis' that generally becomes the cause of intense discomfort, thus almost immediately relieving pain and bringing long-awaited relief.
Acupuncture is growing in popularity as it is an effective treatment for both acute and chronic back pain. Acute pain can often be resolved even within a few sessions. The pain is then treated with both local acupuncture points applied at the site of pain and distal points located away from it. However, more treatments are usually needed to achieve a reduction in pain intensity or its elimination when treating chronic pain.
Advantages of using acupuncture
When acupuncture is used to treat chronic back pain, there is usually an improvement in the intensity of the pain itself and patients' daily functioning improves and they have fewer sleep problems.
A significant advantage of spinal acupuncture is the possibility of avoiding harmful pharmacological pain treatment, as it allows the patient to stop or at least reduce the use of painkillers and sleeping pills. This is particularly important for patients who, for a variety of reasons, cannot take painkillers. A frequent cause of back pain is, for example, advanced pregnancy. Pregnant women should not take any painkillers for the sake of the foetus. Acupuncture, on the other hand, is a non-invasive method and does not require the need to take pharmaceuticals.
When can acupuncture be used?
The basic prerequisite for the use of acupuncture is a correct diagnosis by a doctor and the exclusion of the need for surgery, radio or chemotherapy. In many countries such as Germany and Switzerland, for example, acupuncture treatments are reimbursed. Acupuncture has been shown to be less expensive than medical treatment and to have comparable effectiveness with fewer side-effects.
Probably not everyone knows that the World Health Organisation has delineated standards of management and location of points, as well as indications for the use of acupuncture.
