Back pain is one of the most common complaints of our society. It is estimated that up to 80% of the world's population will suffer from back pain at some point in their lives. Lower back pain is the most common, usually including sciatic pain. In addition to the high rate of occurrence, back pain has a very high rate of recurrence in patients. Patients try everything from prescription pain medicine, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pills to physiotherapy trying to find any relief from back pain.

Acupuncture is one of the most time-tested treatments known to mankind. The earliest recorded use of acupuncture dates from 200 BCE. Acupuncture was introduced to the United States in 1972 when President Nixon made a visit to China. A New York Times Reporter, James Reston, was traveling with Nixon. Reston received acupuncture in China after undergoing an emergency appendectomy. He was so impressed with the post-operative pain relief from acupuncture, he wrote about his acupuncture experience upon his return the United States.

Acupuncture has been used to help relieve back pain for years, but recent research has brought this ancient method of healing into the limelight. Acupuncture is a natural method of treatment that does not involve surgery or chemicals. The needles are very thin (about the size of a strand of hair), flexible, made of stainless steel and disposable. The needles are inserted into the body at various acupuncture points along channels or meridians. These acupuncture points are used to stimulate the flow of Qi (pronounced "chee") or life force throughout the body. When the qi is free flowing, the results are a healthy and pain-free body. Research has been done to establish a connection between acupuncture and relief from back pain. Science cannot explain why acupuncture works, how it works, and for whom it works best, but studies do show it is an effective method for pain relief.

There are various types of back pain with lower back and sciatic pain as the most common. Sciatica refers to a type of back pain where the pain radiates from the buttocks down the legs. It can be caused by a muscle spasm impinging on the sciatic nerve causing the radiation of pain down the leg. Sciatica can also cause a tingling or numbness sensation, usually caused by the narrowing of the disc space or a disc protrusion in the lumbar area. Back pain is usually due to over-exertion of muscles not frequently exercised and stretched that are suddenly put to excessive use. Muscle spasms are common and usually result with feeling of soreness, stiffness, and a dull ache in the back. Acupuncture can be used to alleviate muscle spasms, resulting in an almost immediate relief of pain within minutes of the needles being inserted.

Acupuncture helps to improve the blood circulation in the body, and affected areas. It helps to relax the paraspinal muscles and provide relief from muscle spasms. An increase of blood flow provides greater nourishment to the spine, which increases the strength and elasticity of the spinal cord.

The number of treatments needed to sustain pain relief varies from person to person. For complex or long standing conditions, one or two treatments a week for several months may be needed. Acute problems usually require fewer visits, as long as the treatment plan given by the practitioner is followed. Maintenance sessions, usually four sessions a year, also help keep back pain from recurring. It is important to remember that different patients respond differently to acupuncture treatment and it can take anywhere between 4-12 sessions to really feel the effect.

There are different forms of acupuncture. One form of acupuncture completed by one acupuncturist may be quite different than another. The points used during a treatment may also vary from one practitioner to another. Points may be used locally, or at a distance from the actual area of symptoms. If you suffer from back pain, you may receive needles in the back, feet, ears, arms, or elsewhere.

For more information on acupuncture for back pain, or to see if acupuncture can help you with this or another condition, please contact Christine Yastrzemski, A.P., at (904) 885-6650 or visit www.awayoflifeacupuncture.com. Ms. Yastrzemski is a national and state licensed acupuncture physician practicing in Jacksonville, Florida.