Using acupuncture to relieve chronic back pain

Acupuncture is a solution to consider if you have chronic pain, and knowing how it works with your body chemistry can help you decide if it's right for you.

If you suffer from back pain, you know how frustrating it can be. An aggravating pain can interfere with your quality of life and prevent you from completing daily tasks. It can be difficult to determine the cause of back pain for treatment, but there are many things you can do to help ease the pain and make it more manageable, including acupuncture.

Acupuncture is a technique in which medical practitioners use very thin needles to stimulate different points on the body. It's a form of traditional Chinese medicine that targets specific points that are believed to be related to different organs and muscles in the body. It has been practiced for over 2,500 years.

Acupuncture theory describes over 2,000 points on the body. These points are connected to 20 pathways that help energy, or qi, flow through the body. When the thin needles are inserted into a combination of points, it helps to normalize the flow of qi. The needles are usually left in for 15 to 30 minutes and are sometimes turned in one or both directions while inserted in the skin for increased stimulation.

When acupuncture is performed with the purpose of healing back pain, it creates a number of different effects on the nervous system.

Opioids are chemicals in the brain that are released during acupuncture. They have an analgesic effect and are very helpful in reducing pain.

Acupuncture also activates the hypothalamus and pituitary gland and secretes both neurotransmitters and neurohormones, which also help to reduce pain in the back.

When needles enter the skin and stimulate different parts of the body, endorphins are released into the blood stream. Endorphins are the body's natural painkillers, so increasing them can help reduce your back pain.

About eight out of 10 people have issues with lower back pain at some point in their lives. Many choose to visit a licensed acupuncturist in order to relieve this pain. An acupuncturist can work with you to create a treatment plan based on your specific needs. While some people find that acupuncture works best when administered at regular intervals, others find relief in just one visit.