Back pain is the number one condition treated by acupuncture. Many individuals experience lower back pain, from a subtle and slow onset of dull pain to a radiating pain that persistently emanates from below the waist to the tailbone—the symptoms vary from bothersome to debilitating. Many patients who come into TCM Health Center describe pain that was onset from a certain physical activity, such as heavy lifting or prolonged periods of standing still that led to muscle strain. Others detail the condition as a symptom of sciatica or pregnancy.

Acupuncture works towards balancing the qi and flow of energy in the body. The reason why acupuncture is often so successful with pain conditions is due to its stimulation of the central nervous system to help release neurotransmitters such as endorphins, which act as natural painkillers. Patients who come in for lower back pain often find that after a certain course of treatment they have significant improvement with the pain and inflammation.

  • A 2006 study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) conducted by Brinkhaus et al. examined 298 patients with lower back pain. Individuals were sorted into three groups consisting of acupuncture, minimal acupuncture and a waiting list control. The results showed that acupuncture was more effective than no acupuncture treatment in patients with low back pain.
  • A meta-analysis conducted by Manheimer et al. examined 33 randomized control trials that focused on the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating lower back pain. The conclusion found that “acupuncture effectively relieves chronic lower back pain.”

While the root of the condition truly varies, at TCM Health Center we hope to help individuals to the best of our ability to allow them to regain movement, comfort, and healing through acupuncture treatment.  

If you have any further questions about acupuncture treatment for lower back pain, please feel free to give any one of our locations a call to schedule an initial consultation. We look forward to hearing from you!

“When I came in for my first treatment, I couldn’t even take off my shoes let alone get myself onto the treatment table. The back pain was built up from an acute injury I had received years ago. But as a nurse I knew I had to figure out a way to get better without depending on painkillers. After my first treatment I could both get off the table and put my shoes on. I was in awe!”
— Kim A.
“In 2015 Mayo Clinic described my herniation as the ‘Biggest Herniation of the Year.’ I couldn’t drive, I couldn’t get up by myself, I couldn’t move around by myself, I couldn’t bend over. My life was on hold. But because I was a schoolteacher I had to get it fixed. When I went to Mayo they told me that I had to get surgery for sure. But I still had six weeks of teaching and I couldn’t get anyone to cover my job—it would have been unfair to the kids I thought! So I had to stick to it for the last bit. Mayo Clinic referred me to TCM Health Center in the meantime for pain reduction as I waited for the surgery. I came in three times a week for those six weeks. When I returned to the Mayo Clinic for my follow up after those six weeks I told them that my pain was 75% gone! When the doctor did another MRI he said that 65% of the herniation had been absorbed. They canceled my surgery and told me to continue with acupuncture. It was incredible.”
— Frank O.