One of the main reasons that people go to see their physicians is for low back pain.
It is a major reason why people miss work and other activities.
According to the Mayo Clinic, most people in the United States will experience low back aches at least once in their lives.
There are many reasons why people will have pain.
Some of the main causes are trauma, structural deformities, and diseases.
Trauma includes pain from strains and injuries.
Structural problems such as herniated discs, stenosis, and vertebral deformities will cause pain and sometimes more chronic problems.
There are also diseases that will cause pain such as ankylosing spondylosis and osteoporsis.
Signs and Symptoms Signs and symptoms of back pain can be a broad range.
There is usually pain that is experienced in the lumbar region of the back.
Many times it can be just local and muscular pain.
There maybe pain that will radiate down the legs.
Some of the many complaints can include stabbing pain, dull pain, throbbing pain, spasmodic pain, and numbness.
There can be pain that will radiate to the toes causing the toes to become numb.
Back pain can even be so debilitating that it will be difficult to walk.
Most times especially if there is arthritis, back pain will be influenced by weather changes.
Treatment options There are different treatment options for low back pain.
Many of the most common treatments are anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxers.
Many times the vertebrae can be so bad that surgery is required.
One other treatment that has been shown to be effective with low back pain is acupuncture and Chinese medicine.
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine Acupuncture is a branch of Chinese medicine.
It is effective for the treatment of low back pain.
Chinese medicine views the body different than Western medicine.
According to Chinese medicine, there is energy that travels through the body along channels or meridians.
This energy is commonly referred to as Qi (chi).
Whenever the energy and other substances within the body get out of balance then disease will arise.
With low back pain there can be stagnation of qi and blood, deficiency of qi, and exterior pathogens such as wind and cold that can cause pain.
According to Chinese medicine one of the major organs and meridians that is affected is the kidney channel.
Acupuncture will help balance the body allow the energy to flow better and promote the body self healing mechanisms.
Acupuncture is a viable treatment for low back pain both acute and chronic.
Many times with acute back pain, acupuncture will help with a few treatments.
Chronic back pain may take a little longer and many times people will have to come in for maintenance or preventative treatments.
Acupuncture can help with low back pain conditions such as sciatica, herniated discs, stenosis, and arthritis.