Back Acupuncture

Recent research from the UK has demonstrated that acupuncture, besides being cost-effective, provides long-term advantages to people with back pain. A small reduction in symptoms was noted during a two-year follow-up study in patients who received 10 therapy sessions over three months.

What is Acupuncture?

Medical acupuncture, as opposed to traditional Chinese acupuncture, employs acupuncture needling in the treatment of specific health conditions following diagnosis by conventional methods. A health care professional trained in acupuncture may be best suited to offer you this treatment. Stimulation of various nerves modifies the way the nervous system processes painful stimuli. Needling acupuncture points triggers the release of natural painkillers – endorphin and serotonin – along pain pathways, thereby altering the perception of pain.

What type of Back Pain is best treated with Acupuncture?

Muscle strains or spasm, unresponsive chronic low back pain, and fibromyalgia, a condition characterized by widespread chronic pain, often respond well to this mode of treatment. It is least effective in back pain arising from conditions such as spinal stenosis, severe osteoporosis resulting in vertebral collapse, and prolapsed intervertebral discs.

What does a back acupuncture treatment session involve?

Each patient is individually assessed and the treatment is tailored accordingly. The acupuncture therapist will allow you to lie on a comfortable surface and examine your spine for areas of tenderness and identify trigger points, the latter representing tender points in muscles or soft tissues. Treatment sessions are usually weekly to begin with and are conducted in an outpatient setting.

Fine needles are inserted to an optimal depth into tender or trigger points or classical acupuncture sites, and then either gently moved or stimulated by low voltage electric current or heat. The number of needles used is variable. Each sitting may last from a few minutes to half an hour and 5 to 8 sessions are typically required. A brief, sharp sensation may be felt during needle insertion, with a deep ache or feeling of warmth being perceived during treatment.

Are there risks with back acupuncture?

Acupuncture therapy may be used as a complement or as an alternative to more conventional forms of treatment, and is gradually becoming more widely available. Acupuncture is considered safe when properly performed by a certified and competent practitioner and is associated with few side effects. Bleeding or bruising may result, especially in people with bleeding disorders or in those using blood thinners. All needles should be used only once, needles should be kept in sterile packaging, and used in a controlled and sterile environment to remove the risk of hepatitus, HIV and other infections.

What does back acupuncture cost?

Costs vary depending on the practitioner and on how many sessions are required. Now that back acupuncture is becoming increasingly available on the NHS the need for private treatment is decreasing. Costs for private treatment are normally around £30 - £40 pounds per treatment session.

What does research say about back acupuncture?

The general consensus seems to be that acupuncture reporesents a safe way to treat back pain and that many people do experience pain relief.

• In a study H MacPherson of the School of Health and Related Research University concluded that “Referral to a qualified traditional acupuncturist for a short course of treatment seems safe and acceptable to patients with low back pain”. www.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/333/7569/623

• In another study MacPherson looked at whether acupuncture was likely to cause adverse effects. In 34 000 treatments no serious adverse effects were reported. The study found only 43 minor adverse events, which included nausea and fainting. http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/323/7311/486

• Dr Heinz Endres of the Ruhr University Bochum found that half the patients treated with acupuncture felt pain relief. “Acupuncture represents a highly promising and effective treatment option for chronic back pain” http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7011738.stm

Back acupuncture conclusions

Acupuncture is now widely accepted by practitioners of modern medicine and is available as an alternative or complementary form of treatment in most hospital pain clinics and with many GPs. Since this field is still largely unregulated in the UK, it is advisable to seek treatment by a trained and qualified therapist who can adequately assess the risks and benefits in individual patients.