Acupuncture Used as a Back Pain Remedy

Nearly 80% of the population will suffer from some type of back pain during their lifetime.  While there is no cure for back pain, acupuncture is a safe and effective method to relieve back pain for six months or longer.  Acupuncture increases the flow of energy which stimulates the natural healing process.  Typically, when needles are inserted in the skin it provides instant pain relief.  During a session there could be as many as twenty needles inserted into the problem areas of the body.  Some needles may be inserted on the surface of the skin, while others will be placed several inches into the layers of fat or muscles.  Typically, the needles will be inserted into the area for 15-30 minutes.  The acupuncturist may rotate the needles to increase the flow of energy in the body.  In some instances, the needles are warmed to intensify the process.  The points that the needles are inserted in are usually a distance from the actual part of the body that is causing the pain.  For example, if a patient is using acupuncture to relieve back pain, the acupuncturist will place needles in their hands, feet, or some other place further from the back.  Inserting the needle in a distant part is important because it relieves acute back pain.  Acute back pain can often be relieved in just several sessions, but reoccurring back pain may require more specific medical treatment.  A study done in a Swedish hospital showed that acupuncture decreased problems with patients who suffered from long term back pain.  The study also stated that patients had improved sleep patterns compared to the group of patients taking the placebo treatment.  Acupuncture is popular because it is a natural healing process that provides many patients with short and long term pain relief.