Can Acupuncture Help with Back Pain?
When you deal with chronic back pain, it can have an impact on the activities you normally enjoy. If you haven’t been able to find relief for back pain, acupuncture might be a treatment option to consider.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
Acupuncture has been around for thousands of years. This practice involves inserting thin needles into specific points in the body to stimulate nerves, muscles and connective tissue. Acupuncture is most commonly used to treat pain. In addition, it is also used for stress management.
How Effective is Acupuncture for Back Pain?
This form of treatment has been shown to ease back pain, including chronic lower back pain. This type of treatment can help in the following ways:
- Central nervous system stimulation: This treatment can cause the body to release chemicals that change how you experience pain.
- Faster electromagnetic signal relay: This treatment leads to increased speeds for brain signals, leading to the flow of endorphins. This increase can also result in a higher number of immune system cells being released in your body.
- Changes in brain chemistry: This treatment can make changes to the release of brain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters.
How Often Should I Have Acupuncture Done?
Having this form of treatment done generally involves multiple visits. You should have this treatment done about once a week or as often as recommended until your back pain starts to ease up.
How Long do the Effects of Acupuncture Last?
The effects of acupuncture differ for people depending on certain factors, such as how severe their back pain is. Keep in mind that you might need to have regular sessions done for long-term back pain relief. For example, you might find that you need to have this treatment done monthly or more often to continue experiencing relief.
What Do I Need to Know About?
This form of treatment offers as a nonsurgical option for back pain relief. Side effects are very rare when you have acupuncture done correctly. Your acupuncturist can help determine if this form of treatment is right for you, which may depend on your medical history.
If you have been suffering from back pain and would like to know if acupuncture is right for you, make an appointment today with one of our experienced healthcare providers at Park Avenue Medical Professionals. Our doctors have extensive experience in finding treatment options for back pain.
