Abstract
Acupuncture is a time tested treatment used by mankind because it has been used for a long time around the world. Most people have thought about the treatment as being helpful making it a very effective treatment to mankind. However, most researchers do not know how the treatment works or how best it works as well as to whom it would produce the best results. Most patients with back pains advocate the treatment as an effective one. Acupuncture is in different forms and therefore different practitioners perform different acupuncture. Typically, the treatment involves use of thin needles to create gentle sensations and is not a painful process. Sometimes, electricity can be passed through these needles. Chinese herbs are also employed to improve the efficiency of acupuncture.
Introduction
Acupuncture refers to the practice where the needles are inserted into specific body parts to improve health conditions in an individual as well as improve his/her wellbeing. The origin of this practice dates back more than 2000 years ago where it was discovered in China. The practice of acupuncture in America makes use of Chinese traditions as well as that of other countries where the best-known type involves inserting thin metallic needles in the skin. Studies have indicated that acupuncture can reduce nausea as well as vomiting, especially during surgery and chemotherapy. The process also reduces pain through a process that aids inactivation of chemicals in the body that kills pain. It affects the release of chemicals responsible for regulation of blood pressure as well as its flow. (Deyo, 2001)
Acupuncture eases back pain
Research has shown that several patients appreciate better pain relief from acupuncture compared to conventional treatment. A study conducted in Germany involved 1,162 patients suffering low back pains who were treated using Chinese acupuncture and also by using convectional drugs along with physical therapy as well as exercise. The investigation proved to be the largest regarding acupuncture, against conventional treatment that did not involve surgery in treating lower back pain to have been reported. Acupuncture is therefore promising to be effective in treating chronic back pains in future. On top of reducing the intensity of pain, the patients also registered improvement in the disability caused by back pain thereby, therefore, improving the quality of life. Generally, at least 80% of individuals at one time in their life experience low back pains which may disappear after a few days but in other cases, it may take months or years. (Weiner, 2003)
Initially, acupuncture was recommended as effective in treatment of back pains when it was administered along with other drugs, but today researchers are looking at the possibility of the methods being used on their own. Acupuncture was administered at sessions that raged between 10-30 minutes for six weeks. The same number of treatment was given to patients on conventional treatment such as exercise and pain medication as well as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The group that was put on acupuncture only received the medication during acute episodes only, while the control group received treatment at most twice a week for the whole of their treatment period. (Weiner, 2003)
Traditionally, acupuncture was done through insertion of needles through fixed points for fixed depths through the human body. The needles were then manipulated in accordance with the required Chinese practice. The results of the experiment showed that the patients who did not have acupuncture did not show treatment-related responses by the end of the six months duration compared with the ones who received acupuncture. Responses were rated at 32% improvement in reduction of pain which was equivalent to12% progress in functional ability. Acupuncture was found to have minimal Side effects as well as few constrain indications and is therefore recommended for acute as well as chronic back pains. However, like any other medicine, some individuals may fail to respond to the practice. Acupuncture has therefore been found to enhance long-term relief regarding low back pains; a problem that makes several people see their doctors. Research indicates that more than 80% of the population in the world are victims of back pains, the most common being the lower back. (Koes, 2006)
Causes of back pains treated through acupuncture
Among the common causes are sprains which refer to overstretching of the ligaments located at the back and strains which is muscle tear when they are subjected to a sudden force. Both sprain and strain are likely to be caused by injury and poor posture as well as improper lifting. Another probable source is herniated disc which refers to a bulging disc from its normal place between the vertebrae. Research has also shown that sciatica is also a common source of back pain and it refers to the pain that is experienced down to the legs through the buttocks caused by irritation of larger nerves known as sciatic nerve located in lumbar spine. This condition can accompany sprains and strains along with other back pains caused by other sources. (Deyo, 2001)
Traditional Chinese medicine promotes restoration of harmony as well as energy balance to the victim’s body thus stimulating natural healing and general health. Acupuncture is administered as an individual treatment to each patient as a primary modality. When back pains are treated through acupuncture by a practitioner both at the specific site of pain-local and distal- outside the area of pain, the problem is resolved through use of needles. Research has shown that distal points play an important role as far as acute pain is concerned. Usually, these needles are placed in other areas rather than at the back affecting an excellent, quick relief. Located at the back are various local points and before a practitioner administers acupuncture, he/she palpate the body of the patient to know the most sensitive points and then the point being needled. Acupuncture has other adjuncts such as electric stimulation of such points as well as cupping. Doctors recommend frequent initial treatment as well as taper off when the pain starts diminishing. During acupuncture, it is advisable to use herbs as they help to promote blood flow as well as reduction of inflammation on top of strengthening deficient conditions. Studies that were done in a Swedish hospital concluded that acupuncture can provide long term relief of pain. Activity levels in several patients were also observed to have improved along with better sleep. A comparison between the group that was administered with acupuncture and the placebo one revealed that those under acupuncture consumed fewer analgesics by far than those under placebo treatment. Acupuncture has therefore continued to be popular because of its effectiveness in treating chronic backache. Even acute pain clears up after just a few sessions but more treatment is recommended especially in presence of underlying deficiency or when the problem reoccurs. (Koes, 2006)
Conclusion
Acupuncture for treating back pains is effective in terms of cost and this is beneficial because more than 80% of people suffer from back pains at one or several points in life. Although the benefits of acupuncture have no evidence that can be regarded as largely conclusive, 2% of people especially in the UK use it every year and it works far beyond placebo. Recipients of acupuncture are reported to experience lower pain levels and use fewer pain killers compared with recipients of conventional treatment. However, not everyone responds positively to acupuncture in treatment of back pains.
References
Deyo R. (2001): Evaluating and Managing Acute Low Back Pain in the Primary Care Setting – J Blackwell Synergy pp45-53
Weiner D. ( 2003): Electrical Nerve Stimulation for the Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain: Blackwell Synergy pp21-25
Koes B. (2006): Diagnosis and treatment of low back pain: Br Med Assoc pp32-36