Atlanta Acupuncture for Lower Back Pain

The National Institutes of Health reports that up to 80 percent of the general population in the United States suffers or will suffer from an episode of lower back pain. That means four out of five adults are likely to have lower back pain at some point in life, making it one of the most common neurological ailments, second only to headache.

There are many treatments and remedies available for persons who suffer from this condition. And while there is no definitive treatment, the use of Atlanta acupuncture for lower back pain has experienced a dramatic increase over the past few decades.

A number of placebo-controlled studies have established and validated Atlanta acupuncture for lower back pain as a reliable method for pain relief. In fact, the Annals of Internal Medicine has published a meta-analysis on Atlanta acupuncture for lower back pain showing how among the two dozen previously published studies on back pain treatments, acupuncture is “significantly more effective” than sham acupuncture or no treatment.

ACUPUNCTURE: How it Works

Acupuncture is an ancient form of Chinese medicine that has been around for more than 2500 years and is becoming an increasingly popular treatment for back pain. According to the theory of acupuncture, energy—called chi or qi—flows through the body along pathways called meridians. If the flow of chi is interrupted, pain or illness can occur. When that happens, very thin needles can be inserted along the meridians to correct the flow of chi.

No one is sure exactly why Atlanta acupuncture for lower back pain works. Eastern philosophy holds that the needles unblock interrupted chi. Western medicine has a few theories of its own.

Some believe Atlanta acupuncture for lower back pain stimulates the nervous system and the 2000 energy centers in the body, which in turn triggers the release of natural painkillers in the form of endorphins, opioid peptides, and chemicals from the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.

Others believe that Atlanta acupuncture for lower back pain needles help contracted muscles relax, stimulate nerves in the legs, and decrease inflammation of the nerves in the lower back.

The Science Behind

In a recent study published in the Clinical Journal of Pain, Dr. Christer Carlsson and his colleague Dr. Bengt Sjlund of the Lund University Hospital in Sweden were able to prove the safety of using Atlanta acupuncture for lower back pain.

Recruiting 50 patients (comprised of 33 women and 17 men) all of whom have been suffering chronic low back pain for a minimum of six months, the scientists randomly assigned one group out of three to undergo sessions of Atlanta acupuncture for lower back pain. The other two groups underwent electroacupuncture and placebo, respectively.

After four sessions plus a follow up treatment two months later, “significant” changes were observed in the group that underwent Atlanta acupuncture for lower back pain. Based on these results, the scientists concluded that “there is now reasonable evidence that acupuncture has a clinically relevant pain-relieving effect on certain forms of chronic pain.”

Studies by the National Institute of Health shows that acupuncture is efficient in treating back pain, and it is 2500 years of success for the Chinese backs this up. Like all lower back pain treatments, acupuncture seems to be most effective when used in conjunction with other treatments.

Atlanta acupuncture for lower back pain is also very safe, with no known risks as long as you chose a reputable practitioner. Needles are sterile, disposable, and FDA-approved. In the U.S. they are used only one time, sealed before use, and disposed as hazardous waste after treatment.

In the United States there are over fifty acupuncture training schools, which require approximately 3000 credit hours of study and offer the equivalent of a Master’s Degree. Often an undergraduate degree is required for admittance to an acupuncturist college.

The first two years in acupuncture school are spent in classroom study, the third year is spent as an apprentice to a licensed acupuncturist, and the fourth year is spent as in intern working under supervision on patients.

States have different requirements for acupuncturists, but all must take a state examinations and/ or a national exam in order to be licensed to practice. To find an acupuncturist, contact the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture.

The Atlanta Acupuncture For Lower Back Pain Procedure

During an Atlanta acupuncture for lower back pain session, the practitioner will insert anywhere from one to twenty needles into various places in the body. Some needles may go in just under the skin, while others may go deeper into muscle and fat. Needles will be left in from fifteen to thirty minutes.

The practitioner may turn needles one way or another after inserting them into the body, or leave some in for only a few seconds before removing them and inserting them elsewhere in the body. Don’t be surprised if the practitioner treats your back pain by putting needles in your ankles, knees, or fingers.

This is a technique called percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS), where needles are inserted into nerve centers and electrically stimulated. You can expect to feel relief for chronic pain in about ten to fifteen treatments and sooner for acute or sudden pain.

Other things an acupuncturist may do:

1. Use moxibustion, an herb that is burned onto the needle before insertion to stimulate the area being treated.
2. Cupping: burn cotton in a glass cup, which is then placed on the skin to create a vacuum.
3. Prescribe herbal supplements in addition to physical treatment.

You may be surprised to learn that Atlanta acupuncture for lower back pain is rarely described as painful. In fact, many people find it relaxing and even fall asleep during treatment. Some people feel energized. One reason for this is the type of needles used. Acupuncture needles are very different from hypodermic needles.

Instead they are very thin and fine, like hair. They are also solid, whereas hypodermic needles are not, as they are made to extract tissue. So getting acupuncture needles inserted into your skin will feel nothing like getting a shot at the doctor’s office.

When you are considering Atlanta acupuncture for lower back pain, it is important to make sure the practitioner is someone you feel comfortable working with. Look for someone who is interested in your whole health and takes time to ask and answer questions.

Since some medical doctors also practice Atlanta acupuncture for lower back pain, you will want to make sure they are licensed in acupuncture in addition to their other training. To check if a practitioner is licensed and accredited, contact the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.