Acupuncture for Low Back Pain
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Research has demonstrated that acupuncture is both safe and effective in the treatment of low back pain. It has also shown to be a cost-effective form of treatment and often more effective than, and without the side-effects of NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
Some of the most common causes of low back pain are below: |
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Low back sprain or strain
Acute muscle strain or ligament sprain occurs when a muscle or ligament is over-stretched and develop microscopic tears. Strains and sprains can result from trauma, overuse, or misuse including lifting heavy objects, twisting or making sudden movements.
Acute muscle strain or ligament sprain occurs when a muscle or ligament is over-stretched and develop microscopic tears. Strains and sprains can result from trauma, overuse, or misuse including lifting heavy objects, twisting or making sudden movements.
Abnormal Curvature of the Spine: Hyperkyphosis, Hyperlordosis, Scoliosis
Abnormal curvatures of the spine can lead to strain on the vertebrae and muscles, tendons, and ligaments which support the spine. A normal spine has a slight kyphosis or rounded curvature of the upper (thoracic) spine. Hyperkyphosis refers to an abnormally kyphotic upper (thoracic) spine. Similarly, a normal spine has a slight lordosis or inward curvature of the lower (lumbar) spine. Hyperlordosis refers to an abnormally lordotic lower (lumbar) spine. Scoliosis refers to an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine.
Abnormal curvatures of the spine can lead to strain on the vertebrae and muscles, tendons, and ligaments which support the spine. A normal spine has a slight kyphosis or rounded curvature of the upper (thoracic) spine. Hyperkyphosis refers to an abnormally kyphotic upper (thoracic) spine. Similarly, a normal spine has a slight lordosis or inward curvature of the lower (lumbar) spine. Hyperlordosis refers to an abnormally lordotic lower (lumbar) spine. Scoliosis refers to an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine.
Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)
Degenerative disc disease is one of the most common causes of back pain. Lumbar degenerative disc disease refers to a condition in which a damaged disc in the lumbar spine results inflammation and instability of the low back causing pain, weakness or numbness. If the sciatic nerve becomes irritated, symptoms may also radiate down the back of the leg where the sciatic nerve runs (sciatica). Although some wear and tear on the spinal discs is normal as we age, degenerative disc disease is not.
Degenerative disc disease is one of the most common causes of back pain. Lumbar degenerative disc disease refers to a condition in which a damaged disc in the lumbar spine results inflammation and instability of the low back causing pain, weakness or numbness. If the sciatic nerve becomes irritated, symptoms may also radiate down the back of the leg where the sciatic nerve runs (sciatica). Although some wear and tear on the spinal discs is normal as we age, degenerative disc disease is not.
Herniated Discs
A herniated disc, also called a slipped, ruptured, or bulging disc, refers to a condition in which the disc's soft rubbery center (nucleus pulposus) begins to push out of it's tough outer ring (annulus fibrosus). If a herniated disc presses against nearby spinal nerves, pain, numbness or weakness of the back, leg or foot can then result. When a herniated disc presses against the sciatic nerve, pain, numbness, tingling or weakness radiating down the back of the leg where the sciatic nerve runs (sciatica) may result. Discs may herniate over time, or as a result of an acute injury.
A herniated disc, also called a slipped, ruptured, or bulging disc, refers to a condition in which the disc's soft rubbery center (nucleus pulposus) begins to push out of it's tough outer ring (annulus fibrosus). If a herniated disc presses against nearby spinal nerves, pain, numbness or weakness of the back, leg or foot can then result. When a herniated disc presses against the sciatic nerve, pain, numbness, tingling or weakness radiating down the back of the leg where the sciatic nerve runs (sciatica) may result. Discs may herniate over time, or as a result of an acute injury.
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Lumbar spinal stenosis refers to the narrowing of the spinal canal in the lumbar spine. Spinal stenosis can be inherited or acquired, although most cases are related to a gradual degeneration of the spine in the aging process. In some cases, the spinal canal may narrow without producing symptoms, however, numbness, weakness, or pain in the back may result if pressure is placed on the spinal cord, nerve roots or cauda equina. If the sciatic nerve is compressed, pain, numbness, tingling or weakness radiating down the back of the leg where the sciatic nerve runs (sciatica) may result. Pain is usually relieved with sitting or forward flexion of the spine.
Lumbar spinal stenosis refers to the narrowing of the spinal canal in the lumbar spine. Spinal stenosis can be inherited or acquired, although most cases are related to a gradual degeneration of the spine in the aging process. In some cases, the spinal canal may narrow without producing symptoms, however, numbness, weakness, or pain in the back may result if pressure is placed on the spinal cord, nerve roots or cauda equina. If the sciatic nerve is compressed, pain, numbness, tingling or weakness radiating down the back of the leg where the sciatic nerve runs (sciatica) may result. Pain is usually relieved with sitting or forward flexion of the spine.
Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolisthesis occurs when a vertebrae slides forward on top of another as a result of excessive movement of the vertebrae due to age, wear and tear, or acute injury. If there is too much movement, the vertebrae may begin to press on the spinal nerves resulting in pain, weakness or numbness. If a vertebrae presses against the sciatic nerve, pain, numbness, tingling or weakness radiating down the back of the leg where the sciatic nerve runs (sciatica) may result.
Spondylolisthesis occurs when a vertebrae slides forward on top of another as a result of excessive movement of the vertebrae due to age, wear and tear, or acute injury. If there is too much movement, the vertebrae may begin to press on the spinal nerves resulting in pain, weakness or numbness. If a vertebrae presses against the sciatic nerve, pain, numbness, tingling or weakness radiating down the back of the leg where the sciatic nerve runs (sciatica) may result.
Sciatica
Sciatica is a not a diagnosis, but a term used to describe a collections of symptoms including low back and leg pain, numbness, tingling or weakness that radiates down the back of the leg where the sciatic nerve runs may result. Some of the most common causes of sciatica include lumbar degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, lumbar spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis.
Sciatica is a not a diagnosis, but a term used to describe a collections of symptoms including low back and leg pain, numbness, tingling or weakness that radiates down the back of the leg where the sciatic nerve runs may result. Some of the most common causes of sciatica include lumbar degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, lumbar spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis of the spine, also known as facet joint osteoarthritis or degenerative arthritis, is a degenerative condition characterized by the breakdown of the cartilage between the facet joints in the spine causing increased friction between the bony surfaces. The resulting low back pain and stiffness is usually the most pronounced first thing in the morning and again at the later end of the day.
Osteoarthritis of the spine, also known as facet joint osteoarthritis or degenerative arthritis, is a degenerative condition characterized by the breakdown of the cartilage between the facet joints in the spine causing increased friction between the bony surfaces. The resulting low back pain and stiffness is usually the most pronounced first thing in the morning and again at the later end of the day.
Compression Fracture
Compression fractures of the spine are most common in post-menopausal women with osteoporosis, and in men or women over 50 years of age after long-term corticosteroid use. Corticosteroid use over a long period of time is known to lead to bone loss and may result in osteoporosis.
Compression fractures of the spine are most common in post-menopausal women with osteoporosis, and in men or women over 50 years of age after long-term corticosteroid use. Corticosteroid use over a long period of time is known to lead to bone loss and may result in osteoporosis.
Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
Lumbarization
Spondylitis (inflammation of the spinal joints)
Osteomyelitis (infection in the bones of the spine)
Sacroilitis (inflammation in the sacroiliac joints)
Spinal tumor
Fibromyalgia
Ankylosing spondylitis
Coccydynia
Kristen A. Chew, L.Ac., C.M.T, C.Y.T. . San Francisco, California . 415.692.1191 . [email protected]
1. Devitt, Michael. Acupuncture Today. Acupuncture Provides Long-Term Relief of Low Back Pain. March 2002.
2. "Low Back Pain Fact Sheet", National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). July 2003. Last reviewed April 2014.
3. "Study Analysis Shows Acupuncture Effective for Treating Chronic Low Back Pain", University of Maryland Medical Center. April 2005. Last reviewed May 2013.
4. "Low Back Pain", American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons OrthoInfo. Last reviewed December 2013.
5. "Lower Back Pain Health Center", "Sciatic Nerve and Sciatica", spine-health.com. 1999-2014.
6. "Questions and Answers about Spinal Stenosis", National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. January 2013.
2. "Low Back Pain Fact Sheet", National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). July 2003. Last reviewed April 2014.
3. "Study Analysis Shows Acupuncture Effective for Treating Chronic Low Back Pain", University of Maryland Medical Center. April 2005. Last reviewed May 2013.
4. "Low Back Pain", American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons OrthoInfo. Last reviewed December 2013.
5. "Lower Back Pain Health Center", "Sciatic Nerve and Sciatica", spine-health.com. 1999-2014.
6. "Questions and Answers about Spinal Stenosis", National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. January 2013.
