Low back pain: Acupuncture Points and Treatment

Lower back pain is a common chronic pain problem. Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese therapy treatment that is now a well-researched and popular technique for coping with this pain. Almost 8 out of every ten people will have low back pain at some stage in life. As a result, back pain is considered one of the top reasons people seek medical treatment. It’s likewise the №1 reported reason behind seeking acupuncture. The best part is that low back pain is one of the conditions that study suggests acupuncture might be an effective tool for managing. It consists of inserting thin needles at specific points on the body.

Scientific studies have suggested that sham acupuncture works as well as real acupuncture for back pain. However, in several studies, the vital point is that sham acupuncture and real acupuncture relieved low back pain better than having no treatment.

What Are The Acupuncture Points For Low Back Pain?

Knee Back Points

Also known as Commanding Middle. Applying gentle pressure to the Knee Back Points is a highly effective technique. This lowers stiffness in the back, sciatica, and knee pain.

Location: The Knee Back acupuncture points, unsurprisingly, are located at the dead center of the backside of your knee.

The Stomach Point

Standard Chinese acupuncturists call the Stomach Point the’ Sea of Energy.’ Applying gentle pressure to the Stomach Point helps you strengthen the abdominal muscles, eliminating lower back issues before they arise.

Location: Your stomach point can be found approximately two fingers from your naval.

The Hipbone Points

The Hipbone Points are often known as the Vitals and Womb. Applying gentle pressure to both these Hipbone Points will help relieve you of both hip pain and lower back pain, as well as sciatica and pelvic stress.

Location: your hipbone Points are present approximately two finger widths from the larger bony area at the bottom level of your spine, midway between the upper part of your hipbone and the base of your buttocks.

The Lower Back Point

The Lower Back Point is additionally recognized as the’ Sea of Vitality.’ Like the Stomach Point, applying pressure to this point provides effective pain relief from lower back pain and sciatica.

Location: You can find it somewhere between the second and third vertebrae from the bottom of your spine.

The Hand Points

Even though it might sound strange to perform acupuncture on your hand for back pain, the Hand Point is directly connected to stiffness and stress in the back. For that reason, applying firm pressure to your hand points is actually ideal for reducing this particular stress and stiffness.

Location: Your Hand Points are located between your thumb and your index finger. To begin with, put your hand on a flat surface, and after that, apply pressure to this area repeatedly, at three-second intervals, until the pain is relieved.

How Does Acupuncture Help to Reduce Low Back Pain?

Acupuncture has demonstrated efficacy in reducing inflammation by encouraging the release of immunomodulatory and vascular factors and increasing local microcirculation.6–8 In turn, this can support better joint movement and relief of muscle stiffness and aid the healing of swelling and bruising.

• Releases neurotransmitters These are some hormones that send messages regulating the on/off mechanisms of many nerve endings. For example, acupuncture can stimulate some that shut off the pain.
• Stimulating nervous system Stimulating nerves located in other tissues and muscles using fine needles could release endorphins and other neuro-humoral factors.6 The expected outcome is a change in pain processing between the spinal cord and the brain.
• Triggers’ electromagnetic impulses can help speed the body’s way of dealing with pain, like the release of endorphins.
• Releases opioid-like chemicals produced in the body acupuncture may release pain-relieving chemical substances. These occur in the body and also have similar properties to opioid pain relievers.

If you want to try acupuncture to relieve back pain, you may initially need to speak to your regular health care provider. Make sure you discuss whether acupuncture would be best for you. However, keep in your mind that one acupuncture treatment does not provide a cure for back pain. While relief is reportedly effective, you’ll likely need long-term treatment. Acupuncture commonly takes many treatments over time for indeed the best outcome.

Note: Still, acupuncture is probably not for everyone. Discuss with your acupuncturist and doctor whether acupuncture is suitable for you.