Back pain, especially lower back pain, is a common chronic pain issue affecting many Albertans today. Whether it’s caused by a sports injury, a degenerative bone condition or a simple slip and fall, it can severely limit your activities and livelihood.
Now more than ever, Albertans are looking for natural and holistic remedies for lower back pain.
As a Licensed Acupuncturist practicing in West Edmonton, I have seen patients use acupuncture to treat various issues, including gut health, respiratory disorders and chronic pain issues such as lower back pain.
Acupuncture works to lessen the discomfort of back pain and help speed up your recovery. In this blog post, we'll explore lower back pain and learn more about acupuncture and why it’s a viable treatment option for lower back pain.
What Is Lower Back Pain?
The low back, also called the lumbar region, is the area of the back that starts below the rib cage. If you are experiencing pain in the lower back, symptoms can range from a dull ache to a stabbing or shooting sensation.
The low back is susceptible to strain because of its weight-bearing function and movement connection, such as twisting and bending.
Lower back pain can range from mild to severe stages and can convert to chronic pain which typically means the pain has persisted consistently for longer than three months.
What are the Causes of Lower Back Pain?
There’s a wide range of causes of lower back pain. It can be as minor as a fall or incident to a larger spinal issue.
Common causes can include poor posture, weak muscles, excessive sitting, twisting, bending or extension of the back, sprains, traumatic injury, fractures, herniated discs, sciatica, lumbar spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis, and scoliosis.
Lower back pain can be a massive frustration in your day-to-day life. In addition to discomfort, lower back pain can also affect your sleep and mobility issues. Fortunately, acupuncture has been proven effective in relieving lower back pain without the side effects of traditional medication.
So, Let’s Learn More About Acupuncture
At Francesco Holistic, we define Acupuncture as a practice known to boost the immune system, regulate the nervous system, and balance the endocrine system.
Acupuncturists use needles to stimulate specific points near or on the skin's surface, ultimately affecting our organs and nervous system.
Acupuncture has a long and rich history in Traditional Chinese medicine. Acupuncture stimulates the balance and flow of qi energy – in Traditional Chinese medicine, qi is considered essential to health.
When the body is healthy, qi flows smoothly throughout the body. When the body is unhealthy or ill, the flow of Qi becomes obstructed. It is in this obstruction where the pain is felt.
Qi energy flows through pathways within the body and can be accessed through over 2,000 acupuncture points.
Depending on the illness, acupuncture needles are placed on specific points of the body to redirect the flow of qi. For each illness or symptom, there are different acupuncture points. Please note: only a skilled acupuncturist will know exactly which ones to use depending on your symptoms and disease.
For lower back pain, some acupuncture points may include:
Back of the knees
Foot
Lower back
Hand
Hip
Stomach
Overall, the number of people in Edmonton discovering acupuncture is growing. There are so many amazing benefits to the method, including relief from pain, reduced inflammation, improved range of motion, better sleep, increased energy, and reduced stress. The list goes on.
Acupuncture for Lower Back Pain
As we’ve discussed, there are many facets of low back pain and a variety of different causes. It could be a simple strain or muscle problem or a more complex issue involving spinal nerves. But the amazing thing is acupuncture has the ability to rehabilitate all forms and act as an incredible holistic option.
When it comes specifically to lower back pain, Acupuncture has been widely used as a primary therapy method. Yes, I have seen results firsthand through my clients, but the evidence is also proven through documented research and studies.
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), “results from several studies suggest that acupuncture may help ease chronic low back pain, neck pain, and osteoarthritis/knee pain. It also may help reduce the frequency of tension headaches and prevent migraine headaches.”
Also, a recent 2022 study showed acupuncture and stretching exercises are practical for treating low back pain, and patients saw improvements within the first two weeks.
Overall, aside from treating the muscles, acupuncture can produce structural changes over time and can produce favourable pain-free outcomes.
If you have been suffering from lower back pain and you’ve tried a dozen of different treatments unsuccessfully, acupuncture could be an option for you.
Acupuncture for Lower Back Pain in Edmonton
I have been a Licensed Acupuncturist in West Edmonton for almost a decade and have treated countless patients with various issues. I have seen firsthand how beneficial acupuncture can be for treating lower back pain and creating a pain-free life.
If you are interested in trying a more holistic approach to your health and well-being, Acupuncture is a fantastic option. Acupuncture can be used as a treatment on its own or combined with massage — thankfully, combo treatments are covered through your insurance plan.
If you are dealing with lower back pain, you can book an appointment online or please reach out today. We can create a treatment plan that gets at the root cause of the issue and work to lessen the pain so you can improve the quality of your life and get back to doing the things that matter most.
Whether you are experiencing lower back pain, chronic pain issues, gut problems, anxiety or something else, acupuncture is an effective and helpful tool at your disposal.