More than 16 million Americans have chronic back pain that affects their ability to complete daily activities. Though many of these people use medication to help manage their symptoms, over-the-counter and prescription painkillers have various side effects. Because of this, a growing number of individuals are exploring alternative pain treatments, like acupuncture.
Jing Li, MD, OMD, LAc, and her team at Integrative Medical Center in Irvine, California, regularly use acupuncture to help relieve chronic back pain. Here, we explain when back pain is considered chronic, explore how acupuncture may help, and highlight what to expect during treatment.
Most people experience back pain at some point in their lives, usually due to stress, overuse, or injury. Back pain often improves with rest and at-home treatments, but if your symptoms continue for 12 weeks or longer (about three months), it’s considered chronic.
First-line treatments usually include over-the-counter pain medication, physical therapy, and activity changes, but if your symptoms remain or worsen, surgery may be considered.
Although surgery can be effective, many patients worry about the potential side effects, so more people are exploring alternative treatments instead. Acupuncture is one of those non-traditional therapies that’s becoming increasingly popular.
Acupuncture is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) technique that’s been used for thousands of years. During treatment, a trained provider inserts very thin needles into specific areas of your skin, such as the shoulders, neck, or lower back. Once placed, the needles stimulate the surrounding nerves, muscles, and connective tissue, helping relieve pain and support the body’s natural healing response.
Although research is ongoing, studies have found that acupuncture may release chemicals called endorphins that help block pain signals, increase circulation to the treatment site, and calm the nervous system.
When it comes to chronic back pain specifically, acupuncture offers several benefits. These benefits include:
It may sound too good to be true, but research backs up these claims. One large study conducted by Kaiser Permanente found that acupuncture was more effective than typical first-line treatments for chronic back pain, and it helped patients function better in daily life, too.
We tailor acupuncture treatment to each patient’s individual needs.
At your first appointment, we review your health history, ask about your symptoms, complete a physical exam, and create a personalized plan. Once we’ve determined which areas to target, you’ll get comfortable on an exam table, often lying face down, while your provider inserts the acupuncture needles into specific areas, like your lower or middle back.
The needles are left in place for 30 to 60 minutes while you rest and relax. At the end of the session, your provider removes them and provides recovery instructions.
It’s normal to experience some mild soreness and slight redness at the insertion sites after treatment, but these issues should improve within a day or two. If you’re uncomfortable at any point, let your provider know so they can make adjustments accordingly.
Acupuncture is a cumulative treatment, so the benefits build over time. As a result, we typically recommend a series of one to two sessions per week for three to four weeks. This number varies depending on the severity and cause of the back pain.
If you’re struggling to manage chronic back pain with over-the-counter medications and posture changes, acupuncture is worth considering. Contact us to make an appointment. Call the office today at 949-552-8133 or book online. Our experienced team has helped many patients find lasting relief through acupuncture.
