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Juntendo Clinic

515 E. Golf Rd., Suite 108

Arlington Heights, IL 60005 US

847-290-8339

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  • March Newsletter: Acupuncture for Back Pain

March Newsletter: Acupuncture for Back Pain

  • Created in Newsletter Library

Woman needs acupuncture for her back pain

Can Acupuncture Help Your Back Pain?

It's difficult to think about anything else when your back aches. Every little movement sends ripples of pain throughout your entire back, no matter how gingerly you walk, bend or reach. Whether you're suffering from strained muscles, arthritis, disc problems, poor posture or other back issues, medication isn't the only option. Acupuncture treatments relieve pain naturally and can provide long-lasting relief.

How Acupuncture Eases Pain

Back pain is one of the most common reasons why people seek medical attention. In fact, people with back pain see their doctors almost twice as often as those without, according to the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute.

Back pain may improve with rest, but that's not always the case. Whether you've had a backache for a few days or a few months, acupuncture eases your pain by:

  • Enhancing Qi Flow. Qi, a natural energy that flows through your body, is essential for your comfort and good health. If blockages occur in the pathways that carry Qi, you may experience pain and other symptoms. Inserting hair-thin acupuncture needles in specific spots in a pathway unclogs blockages, relieving pain.
  • Altering Pain Centers in the Brain. Acupuncture may change the way your brain reacts to pain. In a systematic review published in Frontiers in Neuroscience in 2021, acupuncture altered several areas of the brain, including the prefrontal cortex. The prefrontal cortex processes the pain signals sent to the brain from the various parts of the body. Although the study provides interesting information on the way acupuncture works, researchers noted that more research is needed to explore the effects of acupuncture on the brain's pain centers.
  • Releasing Natural Painkillers. Acupuncture treatments increase your body's production of serotonin and endorphins, hormones that dull pain naturally.

Other Ways Acupuncture Helps Back Pain

Acupuncture treatments also:

  • Relieve Muscle Spasms and Loosen Knots. Acupuncture stops muscles from spasming and relaxes tight bundles of muscle fibers that cause painful knots.
  • Ease Spinal Stenosis Pain. Spinal stenosis occurs when the spinal canal narrows due to the effects of osteoarthritis. When this happens, your spinal cord and the nerves in your back can become compressed, triggering pain. A study published in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies in 2021 explored the effects of acupuncture, medication and exercise on spinal stenosis. According to researchers, both acupuncture and medication significantly improved pain while only acupuncture improved physical function.
  • Decrease Stress. Stress causes muscles to tighten in every part of your body, including your back. If you already have back pain, stress only makes the problem worse. Flooding your body with serotonin and endorphins during acupuncture treatment not only eases pain, but also relieves stress and enhances relaxation.
  • Boost Circulation. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients throughout your body and removes waste products. Improving circulation makes it easier for your body to get rid of waste products that could cause or worsen pain.

Acupuncture Could Help You Reduce Your Reliance on Pain Killers

In most cases, medication only provides short-term pain relief. Acupuncture offers results that may last days, weeks or months. Thanks to your treatments, you may be able to stop taking pain medication or decrease the dosage.

Opioids, narcotic medications used to treat severe pain, can lead to addiction. Adding acupuncture to your treatment regimen may mean that you never need to take narcotics or only need to take them for a short period of time.

Other medications, whether prescription or over-the-counter, can cause side effects, including nausea, diarrhea and dizziness. Luckily, side effects aren't a problem with acupuncture. Treatments can also help you manage your symptoms if you do develop side effects from a medication you take.

Inflammation May Subside With Acupuncture Treatment

Although inflammation is important for healing in the early stages of an injury, it may be a contributing factor in pain if it continues long-term. Inflammation may also cause swelling that makes your back feel stiff. Acupuncture treatments balance the natural chemicals that cause inflammation, easing soreness and stiffness.

Are you ready to try acupuncture for your back pain? Pick up the phone and give us a call to schedule your appointment.


Sources:

Georgetown University Health Policy Institute: Chronic Back Pain

https://hpi.georgetown.edu/backpain

Frontiers in Neuroscience: Neuroimaging Studies of Acupuncture on Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review, 9/20/2021

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2021.730322/full

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies: A Comparative Study of Three Conservative Treatments in Patients with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: Lumbar Spinal Stenosis With Acupuncture and Physical Therapy Study (LAP Study), 1/19/2018

https://bmccomplementmedtherapies.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12906-018-2087-y

Spine Universe: Acupuncture for Back Pain: Is It Effective?, 7/13/2022

https://www.spineuniverse.com/treatments/alternative/acupuncture/acupuncture-effective-help-or-reduce-back-pain-safe

  • We May Help You With
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Monday:

2:00 pm-7:00 pm

Tuesday:

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Testimonials

  • "Earlier this year, I woke up one day with extreme pain in my right shoulder. After a trip to the emergency room and an orthopedic surgeon appointment, it was discovered that I had calcific tendinopathy. The diagnosis was that I would need to be in a shoulder immobilizer for 3-4 months for painful rehab and months of harsh prescription medications. This is when I consulted with Dr. Kari and Kimberley. After the first treatment, I was able to remover the shoulder immobilizer. By the third treatment, I was back at full strength. I owe my ability to enjoy my summer to Juntendo Clinic and recommend Dr. Kari and Kimberly to everyone I speak with."
    C.F.
  • "I came to see Dr. Kari one year ago due to infertility. Dr. Kari used her knowledge and experience to help me have two healthy boys. I also did acupuncture throughout my pregnancy and that helped me stay energized and maintain a healthy pregnancy."
    J.H.
  • "Thank you so very much for treating my lower back pain caused by the sciatica nerve. The pain is completely gone. I would also like to thank you for being so thoughtful and concerned about my health."
    M.J.
  • "Acupuncture has helped me in many ways. No medical treatments helped me get pregnant, but acupuncture helped. Also I am more relaxed. Acupuncture brought light into my life. I got a beautiful daughter and I cannot be more thankful to Dr. Kari."
    Z.B.
  • "I believe acupuncture treatment helped me greatly to have a successful pregnancy. Especially going through a year of treatment."
    M.A.
  • "Helped with headaches, bloating, heartburn, and acupuncture has really helped with morning sickness. I started coming to the clinic in early this year. Dr. Ye has been a god send to me."
    E.P.
  • "Have a lot of confidence in Dr. Ye's knowledge and skills. Would refer others to Juntendo. Office is very clean / hygenic. Staff is professional and people oriented. Dr. Ye is very personable. I am very pleased with Juntendo."
    A.E. / Arlington Heights, IL

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