Back pain affects up to 80 percent of Americans at some time during their lives. Back pain is caused by muscle or ligament strain. The muscles that support the spine are in constant use; even while simply sitting, the muscles are in use to keep one from falling over. The spine also bends, straightens and twists. This constant stress on the back can result in back strain and pain. The lower back supports most of the weight of the body and is subject to the most mechanical stress. As a result, the lower back is commonly injured. Though most back pain is caused by muscle or ligament strain, there are other causes such as damage or injury to spinal nerves, bones, or discs. Osteoarthritis of the spine is a common cause of back pain in people over 65 years of age.
The severity of back pain does not always correlate with the severity of the injury or damage. In many cases the cause of back pain is hard to pin down. A simple muscle strain often causes more pain that a herniated disc. Herniated discs can produce intense back pain but often do not produce any symptoms at all. Even in those with damaged discs and spinal joints, the source of the pain may be strained back muscles.
Many different treatment options are available to patients who suffer from back pain, depending on the severity of the pain and whether the spine or surrounding tissues have been damaged. The most common treatment for acute back pain, or pain with an immediate and abrupt onset, is acetaminophen, an over-the-counter pain reliever that is taken orally. For more intense or longer lasting pain, usually referred to as chronic pain, additional oral medications are generally prescribed, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID's), muscle relaxants or opioids -- opium-derived narcotic drugs, such as codeine.
Although acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to treat a wide variety of painful conditions, only recently has it become scientifically recognized as an effective pain therapy. In fact, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), acupuncture is as effective as morphine in treating chronic pain. Acupuncture is thought to decrease pain by increasing the release of endorphins that block pain. Many acu-points are near nerves. When stimulated, these nerves cause a dull ache or feeling of fullness in the muscle. The stimulated muscle sends a message to the central nervous system, causing the release of endorphins. Endorphins, along with other neurotransmitters, block the message of pain from being delivered up to the brain.
If you suffer from back pain, acupuncture can offer back pain relief naturally and with no adverse side effects. The sooner the treatment begins, the quicker the back pain relieves. Xiaoyan Wang is a National Board Certified and Licensed Acupuncturist (USA) and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Doctor (China). In China, she studied and practiced Chinese Acupuncture and herbal Medicine since 1983. If you would like to pursue this form of treatment or information, please contact Xiaoyan.
