In a previous blog we discussed the prevalence of chronic low back pain (CLBP) in America and the toll it takes on people and society in general, with lost days of work and enjoyment of life.
In Western Medicine, the typical standard treatment for CLBP according to The American Family Physician Website is, (My bolding of areas)
“Acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are first-line medications for chronic low back pain. Tramadol, opioids, and other adjunctive medications may benefit some patients who do not respond to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Acupuncture, exercise therapy, multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs, massage, behavior therapy, and spinal manipulation are effective in certain clinical situations. Patients with radicular symptoms may benefit from epidural steroid injections, but studies have produced mixed results. Most patients with chronic low back pain will not benefit from surgery. A surgical evaluation may be considered for select patients with functional disabilities or refractory pain despite multiple nonsurgical treatments.” From aafp.org
As you can see, acupuncture is SUPPOSED to be recommended to patients with low back pain, but very few of our patients come to us through an MD referral.
Why does acupuncture help so many with CLBP feel better when other therapies don’t?
Let’s look at pain through the lens of Chinese Medicine (CM).
CM views pain as a stagnation of energy in the body. If all systems are working properly, the flow of energy, or Qi, is smooth and there is no pain. But, when the body gets stuck, sticky or stagnant, pain comes in and tells you something is wrong. How many times have you felt pain in your shoulder or low back and it literally feels like you have a knot or something stuck in that part of your body? That is exactly why pain is referred to as stagnation!
When it comes to low back pain specifically, oftentimes people who are struggling with it may have issues relating to the Phase of Water. In CM, the Water Phase consists of your kidneys, your bladder, your head hair, your endocrine system, your bones, your reproductive systems, plus the emotions of Fear, Anxiety, and Willpower. The Bladder Channel runs down the back and when the Water Phase Energetics are weakened due to stress, overwork, poor posture, excessive emotional upset, etc, the channel can become blocked and pain can set in.
When we treat LBP in the clinic, we will do a postural assessment to determine what else is contributing to your pain. Then, not only do we treat points in the back, we will treat distal points that help clear and support the channels that are stagnant and weak so that the pain dissipates and the channel strengthens.
We may recommend dietary changes with foods that specifically support the Water Phase in order to strengthen your body from the inside out. We may also recommend certain exercises to help with postural disparities that are contributing to your LBP.
Because it is not a one-size-fits-all approach, every person has a specific treatment plan tailored to their needs. Also, it is not a one-and-done method either. Consistency is the key to long term wellness. Just like one day of eating well and going to the gym won’t get you fit and slim, typically one acupuncture treatment will not fix months or years of pain and suffering. The key is to come often enough to change your pattern to wellness, then sustain that wellness with monthly tune-ups. (more or less, again, it is very individual what each person needs to sustain their health.)
If you’re tired of suffering from CLBP and want to get on the path to a pain free, fulfilling life, give us a call today. JJ will talk to you and get you scheduled for a consultation to see if we can help you.
We look forward to helping you heal and feel your best! 910-262-1122 Ext 2