Back Pain
Back pain affects nearly eight out of ten people at some point in their lives and can make everyday tasks feel impossible. Acupuncture eases tension, reduces inflammation, and restores balance so you can move more freely and comfortably.
Back Pain
Back pain affects nearly eight out of ten people at some point in their lives and can make everyday tasks feel impossible. Acupuncture eases tension, reduces inflammation, and restores balance so you can move more freely and comfortably.
Acupuncture for Back Pain
Remarkably, some estimates suggest nearly 8 out of 10 people will experience back pain, notably lower back pain, at some point in their lives. In fact, it’s one of the most common reasons people seek medical attention, which is why it’s no surprise that it’s the number one condition we treat in the clinic.
Much of this is due to modern lifestyles. We often find ourselves in poor postures, whether working at a computer, constantly looking at our phones, lying on the sofa watching TV, or doing other activities. Many people are also overworked and overwhelmed by their environment, leading to exhaustion. In Chinese Medicine, this exhaustion can manifest as conditions like back pain.
Back pain is one of the most common conditions we treat (easily among the top five). It’s also one of the conditions for which acupuncture has been scientifically proven to be effective, as recommended by NICE guidelines for chronic back pain. This includes pain in the lower back, spine, upper back, sciatica, muscle spasms, and everything in between
Why Back Pain Happens
Many different factors can cause back pain. These could include structural or mechanical issues, inflammatory conditions, and other medical causes. In many cases, no medical explanation is found, nor can it be explained, despite continuing pain.
Mechanical Problems
- Sprains: Injuries to the ligaments that connect bones, often caused by lifting heavy objects, improper lifting techniques, or twisting.
- Strains: Injuries to muscles or tendons.
- Discs: This could involve degenerative disc diseases, which are more common with age, or issues like slipped or herniated discs, which are often linked to sciatica.
- Scoliosis: A curvature of the spine that can lead to pain.
- General myofascial pain: Tightness and discomfort in the muscles supporting the spine, which can result from damage, nerve changes, or degeneration.
- Other conditions such as spondylolisthesis and scoliosis.
Inflammatory Conditions
- Conditions like ankylosing spondylitis.
Other Medical Conditions
- Osteoporosis
- Fibromyalgia
- Endometriosis
- Kidney stones or infections
- Tumours
Great acupuncture with Josh. Back pain gone! After having an in-depth pre assessment, looking into my lifestyle, sleep etc I got to lie down. I was a first timer to the needles, and although I wasn’t nervous, Josh kept me relaxed throughout. He had a confident manner throughout and filled me with ease as he explained what the needles were doing. After a couple of sessions, my lower back pain has disappeared.
— Jason
How Acupuncture Helps with Back Pain
Acupuncture is a practice that has been ongoing for over 2,500 years. It involves inserting fine needles into specific points in the body, of which there are over 365, which help us to allow our Qi (the body's energy) and blood to flow evenly. By stimulating these points, we can help to relieve pain and improve our overall health. For back pain, it can:
- Stimulates the nervous system: Acupuncture may activate trigger points that release chemicals from the brain, spinal cord, and muscles, some of which naturally alleviate pain.
- Releases natural painkillers: It may trigger the release of endorphins—natural chemicals similar to opioid pain relievers like morphine.
- Releases neurotransmitters: Acupuncture can activate neurotransmitters, which turn off pain signals in the nervous system.
- Triggers electromagnetic impulses: Acupuncture can generate impulses in the body that speed up pain relief by helping release endorphins.
Research has shown acupuncture to be an effective option for both acute and chronic back pain, often reducing the need for pain medication.
What to Expect in Your Treatment
Whatever the cause of your back pain, we aim to get to the root of it. This process includes taking a detailed case history, where we explore the nature of your pain, when it occurs, and any additional impacts it may have (such as on your mental health). By understanding your overall health, we can gain a more accurate understanding of the root cause.
We’ll also perform postural assessments and evaluate your movements in various directions to identify areas of tension and pain, helping us determine which areas are affected.
The above will give us the plan for treating you. You will get an acupuncture treatment tailored to you, using thin, single-use, and sterile needles at specific points to help release your pain and tension. Most patients notice improvements after just a few sessions. Still, sometimes, depending on how long or chronic the pain is, it can take longer.
Most patients feel relaxed and thoroughly enjoy taking an hour out of their day to look after themselves.
Why Choose Our Clinic?
- Experienced practitioner with specialist acupuncture training in pain management
- Additional modalities can be added to the treatment, including remedial massage, cupping, and moxibustion.
- Blending ancient wisdom with modern research and clinical results
- Josh is an experienced athlete, so he understands firsthand how debilitating back pain can be during exercise and everyday life.
- Calm, welcoming environment designed for healing
Affected Channels Affecting Back Pain in Acupuncture
In Chinese Medicine, we work on the body's energy (qi) and blood flow through particular meridians or channels. Each channel corresponds to a different organ, each with its own function within the body, and an imbalance in any channel can result in pain or illness. When it comes to back pain specifically, several acupuncture channels can be affected.
Bladder Meridian (Taiyang)
The Bladder Meridian is the longest channel in the body, running along the back and spine. It’s commonly associated with the treatment of back pain, especially lower back pain. Stimulating points along this meridian is believed to release tension, relax the muscles, and improve the flow of Qi to relieve pain.
Kidney Meridian (Shaoyin)
The Kidney Meridian plays an important role in overall vitality and is linked to the health of the lower back. Acupuncturists often focus on this channel when treating back pain related to kidney function or weakness in the lower back region. Stimulating points along the Kidney Meridian may help strengthen the area and alleviate pain.
Governing Vessel (Du Mai)
The Governing Vessel runs along the spine, making it a key channel in addressing back pain. This meridian is often used to treat conditions such as spinal stiffness, muscle tension, and misalignment. Activating points along the Governing Vessel can help improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and ease pain in the back.
Gallbladder Meridian (Shaoyang)
While not directly on the back, the Gallbladder Meridian runs along the sides of the body and can influence tension in the muscles that affect back pain. Acupuncture points on this meridian may help release tightness in the sides and lower back, contributing to overall pain relief.
By targeting specific points along these meridians, acupuncture aims to restore the flow of blood and Qi to relieve back pain. Acupuncture’s holistic approach addresses physical and energetic pain, aiming for long-term relief and improved well-being.
"Very thorough session. Listened to my symptoms. Explained what will happen during the session and what benefit I will gain from having acupuncture. Suffering from lower back pain. After session, symptoms relieved"
— David
Frequently Asked Questions
Is having acupuncture painful?
Most people do not feel any pain when having an acupuncture session. Sometimes they may feel the needle going in, but there shouldn’t be any pain afterwards. Most of the time, people find the treatments relaxing and often fall asleep.
How many sessions will I need?
Mental Health is seen a lot in the clinic regardless of whether it is the main complaint or as a secondary to an existing condition. Often we are looking at treating both the physical and mental at the same time.
Main complaints include:
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Grief
- Trauma and PTSD
Is acupuncture a safe treatment?
Acupuncture is incredible at supporting women throughout all stages of their journey. This involves the full spectrum:
- Menstrual Complaints
- Gynaecological Conditions
- Fertility Support
- Assisted Reproduction Therapies and IVF
- Obstetrics (Supporting Throughout Pregnancies)
- Postpartum
- (Peri)Menopause
Is This Something You Want To Try?
Don't let your back pain control how you live your life. Acupuncture can help you to find your old self with its proven, natural and side-effect-free treatments.
