Today more than ever before, there are many tools in the holistic wellness toolbelt available to combat back pain. Acupuncture is one low-hanging-fruit when it comes to therapy methods that offer minimal side-effects and a high success rate.
Today, Western medicine is colliding with Eastern healing methods. Acupoints and tender points become sensitive when the body is in a diseased or stressed state. Below-the-skin stimulation of sensitive areas can lead to improvement, healing, and pain relief, according to traditional Chinese medicine .
Working with an acupuncturist can lead to uncovering the root cause of back pain and discomfort. By relieving tension with thin, painless, paper-thin needles, professional acupuncturists of Thrive Spine and Sports Rehabilitation believe acupuncture therapy will reduce back pain.
Benefits of Acupuncture When Healing Chronic Back Pain
The benefits of acupuncture therapy when combatting back pain are many. One of the biggest reasons patients come to Thrive for acupuncture to heal back pain is to reduce stress. Just one acupuncture session has the ability to reduce stress both physically and mentally. Less stress often equals more life! Pain, injury, and disease are all caused by some sort of stress.
When targeting back pain with acupuncture therapy, the expected benefits are as follows:
- Increased circulation and range of motion
- Inflammation reduction
- Dopamine and serotonin rush
- Endorphin (natural pain killer) stimulation
- Pain and stress relief
For back pain and/or injuries in this area, an acupuncturist will stimulate healing by targeting pressure points…
- Below the belly button about three finger lengths down, is a sensitive acupressure point for lower back pain relief
- Along the spine there are pressure points around the waist level between the second and third lumbar vertebrae that can help reduce upper and lower back pain and fatigue
- Between top of the hip bones and base of the buttocks are pressure points which can significantly resolve hip and pelvic issues related to leg and back pain
- In the middle of the back of the kneecap is a pressure point which can reduce stiffness in the back (and can also help with knee pain, arthritis, and sciatica)
- On the hand, located between the fleshy web of the thumb and the pointer finger as well as on the back of the hand between ring and pinky fingers–are points associated with reduced back pain and stiffness
- The middle of the elbow crease–four fingers from the bone–is another pressure point which can reduce back pain, stiffness, and spasms
In just one session, targeting these pressure points can relieve back pain. For many patients, it takes up to three sessions to feel significantly better. For other patients with longer-standing injuries or pain–a custom, six-to-twelve-week acupuncture program may be in order. Back pain relief will come gradually depending on the severity of that pain and the associated root cause.
Another great benefit of using acupuncture to treat back pain: Acupuncture (and other physical therapy) mitigates risk of injury and chronic disease. Humans are more prone to injury when operating with back issues and pain. Plus, if the body is stressed physically–there could be a greater chance of compromised immune defense or other chronic disease.
Keeping back pain in check with acupuncture will promote complete physical and mental health. However, the most pronounced benefits are back pain relief, increased flexibility, muscle range of motion, and decrease in stress!
Individuals who are recovering from back pain, back injury, and/or back surgery have found use for Thrive’s acupuncture therapy. Thrive has treated back pain with acupuncture for all sorts of individuals–from young athletes, to men and women, as well as elderly individuals.
Are you finally ready to live pain-free?
Learn more about Acupuncture in Belmar and Acupuncture in Freehold.
Or call us at 732-359-7440 to schedule an appointment.
Possible Side-Effects of Acupuncture Therapy for Back Pain
The side-effects of trying acupuncture to cure back pain are a few…
Pain and swelling around the needle sites is common but should never be too much of a worry. There should never be a time when pain from acupuncture exceeds the level of back pain that brought a patient to therapy. In some cases, acupuncture can lead to mild bruising or tenderness.
While the possibility is very low, there is a chance of infection when using needles. However, Thrive’s acupuncturists will always use sterile, single-use needles to prevent infection. Patients should clean the area of injection after acupuncture for back pain.
For very sensitive patients, there is risk of dizziness or feeling of faintness immediately after the session. It’s important to move slowly, drink water, and relax directly after acupuncture treatment. What’s more, there is a chance patients may feel nausea or a headache–but this is not common.
Finally, there is a chance that acupuncture can lead to drowsiness. However, this can also be seen as a benefit if the patient was in need of relaxation and/or sleep.
Living with Back Pain
Living with back pain is an option, but Thrive is trying to rationalize acupuncture therapy to show people around NJ that they do not have to accept dealing with pain every day…
When living with back pain, individuals are not able to give 100% of their effort to physical wellness, sports, work, or even to personal relationships. Plus, living, working, or playing through pain can only lead to more stress and open a person up to possibility of greater injury.
Even more importantly, acupuncture for back pain is there for individuals who do not want to numb their physical or mental pain with pharmaceutical drugs. Everyone has a story about a friend or loved one who got injured or had a traumatic experience and turned to pain pills or antidepressants. Acupuncture is an all-natural method that can cure back pain.
Acupuncturists at Thrive Spine & Sports Rehab
At Thrive, acupuncturists start with a questionnaire to reach a diagnosis regarding the root cause of pain. Since Thrive’s acupuncturists take a quality-over-quantity approach, they will work to understand the patient’s symptoms, diet, daily routine, and more.
AJ Adamczyk founded Thrive as an acupuncturist, first and foremost. He then built out services for physical therapy, chiropractic care, and sports recovery.
Adamczyk is familiar with standard acupuncture, the pressure points associated with acupuncture for back pain as well as implementing complementary services like electro-acupuncture, massage therapy, and cupping–in addition to sports recovery services in the lounge like sauna and ice bath.
Both Belmar and Freehold locations are relaxing environments conducive to healing and recovery. These clinics are bright, clean, and professional–providing quality acupuncture treatment using paper-thin needles that are strategically placed, removed, and disposed. Thrive’s locations host experts to help work towards patients’ goals on site every day.
In addition, Clint Price and Aaron Park are two licensed acupuncturists who work at both Thrive locations. So, patients can receive top quality acupuncture care for back pain in Belmar or Freehold offices.
Thrive’s Approach to Acupuncture Care for Patients with Back Pain in NJ
All over the internet and when talking to patients, people are finding out that back pain can be relieved and cured with acupuncture therapy. After over 2000 years of history , acupuncture is now being recognized by Western healthcare providers as cutting-edge when it comes to holistic wellness, sports recovery, and physical therapy.
Athletes, men and women, and elderly individuals are looking for advanced plans and strategies to gain and maintain lasting physical and mental health. Acupuncture is one great form of therapy that many people can benefit from. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach, Thrive’s acupuncturists can guide patients toward the root causes of back pain through a multi-faceted, quality-over-quantity approach.
FAQ about acupuncture for back pain
What does an acupuncturist do to relieve back pain?
Stenosis is one ailment that Thrive is able to support. Stenosis, or narrowing, occurs when pressure builds around the spinal cord and associated nerves. Patients coming in with stenosis can get great results after implementing acupuncture therapy.
Is acupuncture for back pain covered by insurance?
There are some cases when acupuncture treatment is covered by health insurance. Patients may need pre-approval, or they may have to submit for reimbursement. In this case, one acupuncture session at Thrive is $50.
Does acupuncture help chronic back pain?
Yes, acupuncture has been found to alleviate back pain, according to Thrive Spine & Sports Rehabilitation acupuncture practitioners and patients. If more services are necessary, Thrive’s healthcare professionals can also offer a recovery plan including physical therapy and chiropractic care, in addition to acupuncture for back pain.
Is acupuncture successful at curing back pain?
Patients begin to feel relief for back pain immediately after the first session. Depending on the severity of the pain and the diagnosed root cause, more sessions will be necessary–patients will have to meet with Thrive’s acupuncturists to develop a custom wellness plan.
How often should patients do acupuncture for back pain?
Back pain can be relieved after one acupuncture therapy session. However, depending on the severity of the pain’s root cause, a Thrive acupuncturist will recommend weekly sessions for a planned period.
Best ways to get rid of back pain?
- Work with an acupuncturist
- Work with a physical therapist
- Work with a chiropractor
- Utilize Thrive’s recovery lounge in Belmar
- Stretch every day
- Workout daily
- Practice good posture
- Eat a balanced diet full of whole, home-cooked foods
What are the main benefits of acupuncture?
The main benefits of acupuncture for sports recovery are pain and tension relief, improved blood flow and joint function, as well as increased muscle range of motion.
Other benefits of acupuncture include great relief for sleep, digestion, stress, and anxiety too.
Why does acupuncture work? What is the mechanism at work?
Acupuncture is such a profound stimulation to the system. The needle below the skin offers a larger reaction sending stimulation throughout the body, nerves, and to the brain–initiating a healing state.
The stimulation of acupuncture initiates a change that puts your body’s natural healing mechanism into overdrive.