Back pain is one of the most common reasons people visit their doctors.  In a survey done through the National Institute of Health Statistics, 27% of respondents reported back pain with headache and migraine accounting for 15%, and neck pain another 15%.  Many factors can cause back pain, including age, poor physical fitness, being overweight, and activities such as lifting and moving heavy objects.

Medically there are many different types of conditions associated with back pain. 

Lumbago is a common term used to describe the disorder that involves the muscles, nerves, and bones of the back.

Sciatica is a condition in which pain is felt along the sciatic nerve. One of the common causes is from compression of the nerve roots in the lower back, sometimes attributed to a herniated disc or narrowing of the spinal canal. One major symptom is pain that is felt radiating from the buttocks and down the leg.

In piriformis syndrome, the piriformis muscle in the posterior pelvis compresses the sciatic nerve. This compression can be felt as a nagging pain, ache, tingling, or numbness that starts in the buttocks and travels down behind the thigh and even to the calf and foot. This pain is usually caused and worsened by activities, such as running or sitting, where the piriformis is pressed on the nerve.

Acupuncture is known for successfully treating back pain. In a chronic pain study published in the Archive of Internal Medicine, it was found that acupuncture provided pain relief better than sham treatments and standard western medical care when treating for osteoarthritis, back pain, migraines, and neck and shoulder pain.

Treating back pain with acupuncture can help improve your daily life and get you back to doing the activities you enjoy. It can also aid in reducing stress and anxiety, regulating digestive issues, and provide a general sense of relaxation.

A consult with your acupuncturist can help determine the course of treatment and also recommend other ways that can help you minimize or prevent future pain. Call and schedule an appointment today with one of our acupuncturists at Sustain Community Acupuncture to help you get back in top form.

Sources:

http://www.painmed.org/patientcenter/facts_on_pain.aspx#incidence

https://www.merckmanuals.com/

http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1357513

http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/acupuncture-is-worth-a-try-for-chronic-pain-201304016042