Back Therapy

Acupuncture as Back Therapy

Nearly 80 percent of the population will suffer from back pain at least once during their lifetime.  Currently, more people are seeking natural healing methods as opposed to prescribed medication or surgery to treat back pain.  A study released in the British Medical Journal said that patients who experienced 10 sessions of acupuncture had less back pain after a 24-month follow up.  Researchers studied 241 people with back pain between the ages of 18 and 65.  One group was treated with typical treatment such as medication and exercises, while the other group was treated with 10 acupuncture sessions.  The results showed that patients were more satisfied with acupuncture treatment and had less concern about their back pain.  Researchers said that acupuncture was an effective way to treat persistent back pain. 

Stretching and Strengthening

Chiropractors will often show you different strengthening and stretching techniques to do at home.  Many times back pain is accompanied by stiffness or a decrease range of motion.  Stretching exercises will focus on achieving flexibility in the muscles, discs, tendons, and ligaments.  It is also important to stretch the muscles around the injury as it can decrease stress and strain in other parts of the body.  Research shows that back pain is less likely to occur if the back is stronger.  Additionally, stretching that involves strengthening of the lumbar spine can reduce pain and increase back strength.  This type of training is best completed when certain muscles are isolated so they can’t take over the job.  Most of the time there is special equipment used for this.  Also, aerobic exercise is very important for rehabilitation and strengthening of the lower back.  Active patients will have less episodes of lower back pain and will experience less back pain when an episode does occur.  Patients with chronic back pain who participate in little exercise may eventually loose their ability to perform everyday activities.