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https://bmcmusculoskeletdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2474-11-118
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Acupuncture treatment for Back Pain

Acupuncture treatment for this back pain disorder will targeting the acupuncture point that located
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http://www.emergingenergy.net/blog/2017/5/18/self-care-acupressure-for-neck-and-upper-back-pain
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https://medium.com/@bobwong/top-5-back-pain-acu-points-7b8fab7df863
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https://www.top10homeremedies.com/news-facts/important-acupressure-points-back-pain-relief.html
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http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1596-acupuncture-alleviates-lower-bac
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http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1690-acupuncture-reverses-lower-back-
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http://acupressurepointsguide.com/most-important-acupressure-points-for-back-pain/
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https://www.acupuncturetoday.com/mpacms/at/article.php?id=29025
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RESEARCH

 

Over the past few years, acupuncture has proven to be an effective form of treatment for many patients suffering with back pain.1 In the UK, the use of acupuncture to manage persistent non-specific lower back pain is now included within national guidelines.2

One 2015 trial1 used the following points:

  • BV41 (GB41) – Relieves joint stiffness and muscle spasms
  • TA5 (TB5) – Relaxes and strengthens tendons
  • E36 (ST36) – Tiredness, fatigue caused by weakness and irritability
  • H3 (HT3) – Soothes and strengthens the mind
  • LI4 – Spasm in fingers
  • R7 (KD7) – Leg muscle atrophy; swelling
  • GV4 – Strengthens the lower back and knees
  • BP6 (SP6) – Pain, weakness and imbalance; motor and mental asthenia
  • BL23 – Bone and kidney problems
  • BL30 – Hip pain; feeling cold in the lower back
  • BL58 – Weakness of the leg muscles; leg pain, back pain
  • BL60 – Headache; strengthens the lumbar and thoracic region

 

Acupuncture is thought to relieve back pain by stimulating the release of opioids. Neurotransmitters such as catecholamines and serotonin which induce analgesia, anti-inflammation and muscle relaxation may also be released.1 After acupuncture, most patients report having lower levels of pain.2 3   It is widely accepted that short-term acupuncture provides quick pain relief that can restore some functionality, and in the long-term it can produce a good reduction in pain but has no significant impact on functional limitation overall.4

Physiotherapists in the UK are increasingly using acupuncture as a form of treatment, however there have been some concerns over this practice. The need for regulation of technical skills and practice knowledge is essential for effective treatment, but it is believed that most physiotherapists undergo a variety of different training courses which results in inconsistency within the acupuncture they perform. Not only this, but there have also been questions raised regarding the safest way of operation when patients who are more susceptible to harm are subjected to acupuncture, such as pregnant women.5

There is a debate over whether acupuncture or electroacupuncture is more effective in relieving back pain.  Electroacupuncture is preferred by some because it is non-invasive, more precise in the level of stimulation and is more accurate in targeting specific acupoints. Whereas traditional acupuncture with needles is simpler, more affordable so more accessible for most people and does not need to take into account patients who may be adversely affected by electrical stimulation.1

Some scientific studies on acupuncture and back pain have been contradictory, and sometimes limiting so it is hard to specify its exact effectiveness.1 2 There have been at least three clinical practice guidelines that have been published within the last ten years that have given different recommendations for acupuncture in the treatment of lower back pain. However it should be noted that even when taking into account other treatment options available, there is no preferred method as they each have their own benefit for each individual case, so it may be unfair to judge acupuncture for being inconsistent.3 And studies may also be contradictory as they only measure the effect of acupuncture alone, when the most effective method in a real life setting is to use a combination of therapies. In fact within traditional Chinese medicine there are numerous therapies used for back pain which include cupping, moxibustion, tunia, gua sha and qigong.4

As well as the pain relieving effect of acupuncture, other areas which need further research are the mode of administration, pattern of stimulation, choice of needles, number of sessions and duration of treatments.5

Footnotes

  1. Comachio J, Oliveira Magalhães M, Nogueira Burke T, Vidal Ramos L, Peixoto Leão Almeida G, Silva A et al. Efficacy of acupuncture and electroacupuncture in patients with nonspecific low back pain: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2015;16(1).
  2. Yuan Q, Guo T, Liu L, Sun F, Zhang Y. Traditional Chinese Medicine for Neck Pain and Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PLOS ONE. 2015;10(2):e0117146.
  3. Waterfield J, Bartlam B, Bishop A, Holden M, Barlas P, Foster N. Physical Therapists’ Views and Experiences of Pregnancy-Related Low Back Pain and the Role of Acupuncture: Qualitative Exploration. Physical Therapy. 2015;95(9):1234-1243.
  4. Yuan Q, Guo T, Liu L, Sun F, Zhang Y. Traditional Chinese Medicine for Neck Pain and Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PLOS ONE. 2015;10(2):e0117146.
  5. Waterfield J, Bartlam B, Bishop A, Holden M, Barlas P, Foster N. Physical Therapists’ Views and Experiences of Pregnancy-Related Low Back Pain and the Role of Acupuncture: Qualitative Exploration. Physical Therapy. 2015;95(9):1234-1243.