An Alternative Medicine Network


	An Alternative Medicine Network
Common Illness
	News \| Herbs \| Acupuncture \| Massage \| Chinese diet \| More… \| Common illness \| Clinics \| Consult specialists

Allergy
Asthma
Anxiety & depression
Back pain
Cancer
Carpel tunnel syndrome
Chronic fatigue
Common skin diseases
Cold
Constipation
Cough
Diabetes
Flu
Hay fever
Headache
Heartburn
HIV/AIDS
Hypertension
Impotence
Infertility
Insomnia
Menopause
Menstrual
Migraine
cramps/period
Irritable bowl movement
Obesity
Prostate hyperplasia
PMS
Tunitis

More...

Acupuncture and Back Pain

Acute and chronic back pain is an extremely debilitating condition that reduces the quality of life for millions of people around the world. Western medicine often resorts to painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve the symptoms. However, the harm caused when these drugs are used over the long term often outweighs the temporary relief they provide. Acupuncture provides an effective and powerful treatment for easing back pain with minimal or no side effects. It can help break the cycle of pain without a reliance on painkillers. The success rate of long-term treatment is estimated at 70% to 85%. In fact, the California Physical Therapist's Association recognizes acupuncture as one of the most effective treatments for back pain. Applying needles to acupuncture points stimulates the body's nervous system to release endorphins, a morphine-like substance, and other chemicals that relieve pain. Some of these chemicals are more powerful than many of the prescription drugs used to combat back pain. Below are some of the many types of back pain identified by traditional Chinese medicine. The diagnosis is made after a thorough examination of the patient's color (flushed, pale, etc) and the consistency and texture of the tongue, as well as by taking the pulse. Deficiency of Kidney Yin Symptoms: Heaviness and aching in the lower back accompanied by thirst, perspiration, fever and dark-colored urine. Wind, Dampness and Kidney Meridian Deficiency Symptoms: Heaviness and numbness in the lower back, with the condition made worse by humidity or rain.. Cold, Dampness and Kidney Yang Deficiency Symptoms: Extreme back pain producing chills in the affected area, and cravings for hot beverages and compresses. Liver Qi Congestion and Sprain Symptoms: Inability to turn the upper half of the body, along with back pains that radiate outward from the mid-torso region into the back, chest and ribs from coughing and sneezing. Blood Stagnation Symptoms: Sharp stabbing pain in the lower back with a worsening of the condition at night. Many patients may find immediate relief after their first visit to the acupuncturist. Initially, the individual should commit to at least six to eight sessions before assessing whether acupuncture works for them. The New York Center of Acupuncture and Alternative Medicine advises one month of treatment for every estimated year of illness. Most patients schedule appointments on a weekly basis, but recommendations vary according to individual cases. Even after the pain disappears, it may be wise, as a preventive measure, to schedule a visit on a monthly basis. It is possible to combine acupuncture treatment with chiropractic treatment, physiotherapy and other forms of health care. In fact, the other treatments may well enhance the positive effects of acupuncture.

Meet Our Specialist

Herbsmed.com

powered by FreeFind

Having any comments or suggestions?
Send it us online or
email it to us.

Thank you!

All information on medicine and health products in this web site is listed for reference or education purposes only and should not be taken as medical suggestions, recommendations or professional guidance. Should there be any discrepancies between the content on the web site and product introductions of manufactures, the latter should prevail. Please follow the advice of your doctor.