Suffering From Back Pain?

Posted by Dr. Jonathan Walker on November 17, 2008 under Acupuncture, Back pain, Research Articles | 2 Comments to Read

This is the blog of Dr. Jonathan Walker, clinic director of Ocala Chiropractic Center in Ocala, FL. My goal is to provide solutions to problems such as back pain, neck pain, and headaches that countless people in Marion County are needlessly suffering from. I also hope to inform you about some of the most cutting edge information on health and nutrition.

Today’s post will cover one of the more popular “alternative” treatments for a host of ailments- acupuncture. Does it really work? How can it help your problem? Read on to learn more…

Acupuncture is one of the oldest healing disciplines in the world. Most of the acupuncture treatments in the United States are using a system known as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). However, just as the cuisine of China, Japan, Thailand, and virtually every other Asian country all very distinct, each country has it’s own system of acupuncture. Even more interesting, there is evidence of acupuncture being practiced in ancient Egypt as well as in bush tribes in South Africa.

The most common acupuncture treatment method is inserting tiny steel needles into various points in the body which run along paths called meridians. Ancient acupuncture theory states that these needles are affecting the flow of energy, or “chi” along these meridians. Modern science has shed light on at least three methods by which acupuncture helps treat certain conditions:

  • Chemical- the release of pain blocking hormones called endorphins is triggered when specific points are stimulated.
  • Cellular- cells called fibroblasts, which aid in the healing reponse of tissue move to the area where an acupuncture needle is inserted.
  • Electrical- conduction of signals in the nervous system is affected during acupuncture treatments.

If you are in pain, this information may be interesting (hopefully!) but your primary concern is whether or not acupuncture can help you. A recent study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine compared acupuncture for low back pain to traditional medical treatments. The acupuncture treatments were 50% MORE effective in relieving low pain than the conventional approach of medication and rehab exercises.

If you’re interested in trying acupuncture for yourself you can call my office or visit our website at www.ocalachiropracticcenter.com for more information. Stay tuned for more information…