Acupuncture for Back Pain - Empower Acupuncture, Morden

Find out more about acupuncture treatments for back pain in Morden...

If you’re reading this, you’re no doubt wondering about the benefits of acupuncture for back pain. Like you, many people are seeking alternatives to conventional treatments, especially when medications or surgery don’t provide lasting relief.

So what makes acupuncture different to other treatments for back pain?

Well, one of the key differences with acupuncture (and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in general) is it aims not only to manage the symptoms and the pain, but also to address the root causes and restoring balance within the body.

In TCM, back pain is seen more than a simple mechanical problem. Instead, it reflects an imbalance or blockage in the body's vital energy, known as Qi (pronounced "chee"), and disruptions in the flow of blood and bodily fluids. The back, especially the lower back, is closely connected to the Kidney energy system in TCM, which governs strength, vitality, and the health of bones and marrow.

Common causes of back pain in TCM include blockages of Qi and blood through the meridians, so pain and stiffness develop - this stagnation often results from injury, overuse, or poor posture. There may also be a generalised stagnation of Qi in the body which can contribute to general muscle tension and stiffness, for example from stress, which can also aggravate back pain. There may also be general deficiencies in the body’s energy systems, especially those which affect the

lower back.

What Happens During an Acupuncture Treatment for Back Pain?

When you come in for your first treatment, we’ll do an initial assessment that covers your main symptoms as well as medical history, lifestyle - I might also do some physical checks including pulse and tongue diagnosis, to determine the underlying TCM pattern.

By identifying which pattern or combination of patterns is present, I can then tailor your acupuncture treatment to your particular case. A typical treatment would use needles at key points on the back, but also points in the arms and legs as well to encourage the flow of Qi around the body. As I use a number of different tools, I might also use other tools or techniques like cupping, moxa or gentle stretching in combination with acupuncture needles.

The treatment itself usually lasts 20 - 30 mins while you relax on the table, and I’ll check on you periodically to see how you’re doing and maybe make some adjustments.

Most people feel pretty relaxed during treatment, and depending on how your body reacts you might feel immediate pain relief in the first session, but sometimes it takes a while to notice a change, especially if your pain is especially chronic, but you will see gradual improvement over several sessions. We’ll map out a treatment plan for you during your first session so you can understand how many treatments you might need, and also if you need to come more frequently for treatment in the first week or two.

Now, I understand that someone sticking needles into you might be a daunting idea, but if you need to chat through any aspect of treatment or want to find out more, then just get in touch, or even come in for a free consultation/chat about your symptoms and we can see how I can help!

To contact me, phone 0208 051 7743 or email info@empoweracupuncture.co.uk

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