It is no secret that back pain is one of the most common types of pain for adults today. In fact, “80% of the population of the United States, at some point in their life, is going to have back pain,” says Dr. Wisneski, an orthopedic surgeon, specialist in spinal disorders and spine surgery, and associate in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pa.

What Causes Back Pain?

figure-1707104_1920There are many common risk factors that can contribute to the development of back pain. These include age, weight, gender, posture, mental health, and trauma. It is very common to possess a combination of these factors, leading to anything between acute and chronic pain. According to www.practicalpainmanagement.com, it is most common in those ages 35-55, primarily in women. Everyday routines that you may not take notice of like slumping at your desk at work or overexerting yourself while exercising can add up and cause wear and tear to your muscles. If you are experiencing back pain, it is important to realize what factors may be the root cause of the pain so that you may try and stop it at the source.

Other Methods

Many turn to medications to alleviate the pain, but turning towards a more natural method of care may put your body under less stress, as well as fix the problem instead of simply masking it. Many doctors recommend acupuncture as an alternative route, often when conventional methods fail to make a difference. Consequently, back pain is the number one reason people try acupuncture.

How Acupuncture Can Help

  • Acupuncture focuses on 2,000 electromagnetic points in the body that, when stimulated, are in charge of releasing endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers.
  • It also tends to release opioids, natural chemicals in the brain that can have an analgesic effect. This can alleviate pain and even promote sleep.
  • Furthermore, acupuncture operates by adjusting the secretion of neurotransmitters and neurohormones. Neurotransmitters control the severity of nerve impulses while neurohormones affect the functionality of the body’s organs. Together, the body is able to alter these in a way that reduces pain and ameliorates the immune system.
  • Acupuncture has also been known to show improvements in inflammation and circulation, providing relief from muscle soreness, stiffness, bruising, and swelling, allowing for overall enhanced movement.

An acupuncturist will place needles at various points depending on what your particular diagnosis is and the causative factors affecting you. However, not everyone is treated using the same points. The treatment is catered to each patient’s individual pain patterns based on their unique issues. By stimulating these areas, it will improve the blood circulation and release endorphins, thus providing a decrease in pain.

Although very successful, acupuncture works best as a long-term treatment and may take numerous sessions for the best outcome. Talk to a practitioner about your pain symptoms to see if acupuncture is right for you.

To learn more about how Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture can help you manage your symptoms, call 832.282.3306 or click here to schedule your appointment today.