fbpx
(732) 345-1377 info@monmouthpain.com

Lower Back Pain Sufferers Turn to Acupuncture for Relief

Feb 8, 2010 | Acupuncture

Study finds acupuncture to be more effective than standard medical treatments.

It has been estimated that up to 80% of the population will suffer from back pain at some point, with the lower back as the most prevalent location of pain. The most common origin of this condition is injury to the muscles, ligaments, and joints, but it can also result from osteoarthritis, a herniated disc, or a myriad of other disorders. Lower back pain is also a problem that worsens exponentially, as sufferers are more likely to walk or move in ways to avoid pain, thereby causing soreness in areas that were not previously affected.

With so many people turning to alternative therapies for medical conditions these days, it’s no wonder that many with lower back pain are investigating the ancient technique of acupuncture as a possible treatment option. Acupuncture is the procedure of inserting and manipulating filiform needles into various areas of the body to relieve pain or for therapeutic purposes. In recent years, acupuncture has been gaining in popularity as an alternative to traditional medical intervention. It is most often used in those with chronic pain conditions, including (but not limited to) arthritis; back, neck, knee, and shoulder pain; carpal tunnel syndrome; and sciatica.

The benefits and effectiveness of acupuncture are becoming more widely understood, and the practice is gaining acceptance on numerous fronts—from patients themselves to the traditional medical community. Last year, the American College of Physicians and the American Pain Society released a joint statement endorsing acupuncture as a nondrug option for clinicians to recommend when standard treatments for lower back pain do not work.

However, a recent study has shown that acupuncture is actually more effective than standard medical treatments. This study, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, found that a seven-week course of acupuncture helped many patients ease the pain of chronic lower back pain.*

The patients who volunteered for the study all ranked their chronic low back pain as at least a three on a scale of zero to 10. Researchers divided the patients into several groups. Some received the usual care for their back pain: medicine and checkups at their doctors. Other groups got acupuncture.

While only 40% of the usual care group saw improvements, around 60% of the acupuncture group improved. As researcher Dan Cherkin, a senior investigator at Group Health Center for Health Studies in Seattle, explains, “The people who got acupuncture were more likely to do better.”

Furthermore, those in the acupunture groups were also more likely than usual care patients to have improvements in their condition after a year of treatment (65% as opposed to 50%, respectively).

If you have been suffering with lower back pain, consider Monmouth Spine and Rehabilitation Center for Acupuncture. Our facility provides skilled New Jersey Certified Acupuncturists with years of experience and knowledge to get you started with acupuncture therapy.

*This study is published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Have Questions? Get In Touch Today!

Give us a call at (732) 345-1377 today to have all of your questions answered and to get you booked for an appointment!

Monmouth Pain - White Logo

About Monmouth Pain

Monmouth Pain is a multi-specialty, all-under-one-roof orthopedic facility serving Monmouth & Ocean County NJ.

Services include orthopedics, neurosurgery, pain management, sports medicine, chiropractic, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and acupuncture.

Monmouth Pain combines expert collaborative care with 5-star service to provide you with the best results for your condition.

Simple, effective, efficient.

Follow Us

Related Posts

Acupuncture for a Strong Immune System

Acupuncture for a Strong Immune System

Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years as a natural way to treat various health conditions. One of its many benefits is its ability to boost the immune system. The immune system is the body's defense mechanism against illnesses and diseases. When it's...

read more
Long days at the computer causing carpal tunnel pain in your wrists or hands?  

Long days at the computer causing carpal tunnel pain in your wrists or hands?  

Injuries from slips and falls, auto accidents, sports, degeneration from aging, poor postural habits, and lack of proper fitness can cause these discs to shift from their normal space between the vertebrae and into the spinal canal or spinal nerve space. When the disc shifts just a little bit it is defined as a disc bulge and is known to cause pain for a lot of people with or without pressure onto the nerve.

read more
Upper back pain from sitting at the computer for too long?

Upper back pain from sitting at the computer for too long?

  A significant amount of people experience upper back pain from sitting for extended periods of time. This is more common with increased numbers of people working from home and on computers. They tend to bring their shoulders up and hunch forward. When acupuncture of...

read more
All about arthritis, and how Monmouth Pain can help!

All about arthritis, and how Monmouth Pain can help!

  Did you know there are more than 100 different types of arthritis and related conditions? Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and is also known as degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is a result of “wear and...

read more
The Benefits of Acupuncture at Monmouth Pain

The Benefits of Acupuncture at Monmouth Pain

  Acupuncture is a science and art that originates in China and has spread its way across the world.  The practice uses tiny, sterile needles at specific points along the twelve meridians. Each meridian corresponds with a different organ system. Acupuncture improves...

read more