Low back pain is an extremely common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including poor posture, muscle strain, or underlying health conditions. If you haven’t found any relief for your back pain, acupuncture is a natural, safe, effective way to relieve back pain without having to take medications and without unwanted side effects. It treats the root cause of the back pain by eliminating inflammation, improving blood flow, loosening tight muscles, and relaxing the nervous system. In this post, we'll explore how acupuncture can help relieve low back pain, and we'll look at some studies and evidence to support its effectiveness.

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medical practice that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body. Acupuncture can promote balance and restore health to the body by addressing the root cause of the back pain. For instance, your licensed acupuncturist will check for issues with blood flow which can often cause sharp, throbbing pain that is worse at night. They will also check for inflammation, tight muscles, and actually examine your gut health- as poor gut health can cause low back pain. Acupuncturists and Chinese medicine practitioners see the body as entirely connected, and look at the entire picture of health of their patients.

Acupuncture for Low Back Pain:

Acupuncture is commonly used to treat low back pain. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) as well as the World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized acupuncture as a safe and effective treatment for low back pain.

Studies and Evidence:

Several studies have been conducted to investigate the effectiveness of acupuncture for low back pain. Here are some of the most notable ones:

1. A 2012 study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that acupuncture was more effective than conventional treatments for low back pain. The study involved 638 patients with chronic low back pain, and those who received acupuncture experienced greater improvement in their pain and function than those who received standard care.

2. A 2015 review published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews analyzed 29 randomized controlled trials involving over 18,000 participants with non-specific low back pain. The review found that acupuncture was effective in reducing pain and improving function in the short-term, and the effects lasted for at least six months.

3. A 2018 study published in the Journal of Pain Research investigated the effectiveness of acupuncture for chronic low back pain. The study involved 150 patients, and those who received acupuncture had significant reductions in their pain and disability compared to those who received a placebo treatment.

If you haven’t tried acupuncture, what are you waiting for?

Acupuncture has proven to be an extremely safe and effective treatment option for low back pain. It has been shown to reduce pain and improve function in patients with chronic low back pain. Addressing low back pain with acupuncture can take a few treatments, depending on severity, your age and overall health, and how long you’ve been dealing with the condition. It’s important to address the back pain by seeing your local acupuncturist as SOON as possible for the quickest results.

This is something I treat regularly, so if you’re local to longmont and looking for an acupuncturist to treat your low back pain- reach out and we’ll get you scheduled ASAP!