Back pain is the most common orthopaedic complaint affecting 80 percent of the Western population at some stage in their lives. In Britain, it accounts for 11.5 million lost working days per year.
Back pain could be due to poor posture or injury, which in Chinese Medicine can lead to a blockage of qi, stagnation of qi and blood in the back. Another cause of qi stagnation is referred to as an ‘invasion of cold’ or ‘dampness’ into the acupuncture channels that go up and down the spine. Acupuncture aims to balance the flow of qi and blood to the area, which can help ease pain and inflammation and ultimately heal the area.
In some cases, Chinese herbs will also be prescribed to help disperse the bruising (called ‘blood stasis’ in Chinese Medicine). According to TCM theory, back pain can be caused by a Kidney deficiency; if this is the case, then I will usually prescribe herbs to improve the kidney qi. Cupping may also be used and the treatment may also involve Moxibustion.
What forms of Back Pain can be treatment with Chinese Acupuncture?
I treat various conditions associated with back pain, such as:-
- Ruptured intervertebral disc
- Spinal Stenosis
- Osteoarthritis
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Injury or Accident
- Osteoporosis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)
- Fibromyalgia
- Paget’s Disease