Acupuncture is one of the most traditional treatment techniques which is effective on wide range of problems like neck ache, muscle pain and back pain. The history of acupuncture is quite ambiguous but people believe that it is an ancient Chinese art which has been around for quite a long period of time.
Acupuncture has many forms and if practiced in its true form, it is also one of the most powerful ways of treating various diseases. In the process of acupuncture, thin needles are inserted at various points on the body and these piercing act cause sensations at those points that are interconnected via pathways or meridians and this process effectively reduce the pain.
Acupuncture benefits for back pain
Back pain is one of the most serious problems faced by people now days. Due to the long hours spent in front of computer or laptop, back pain is becoming yet very popular among the young professionals too.
In the recent surveys, it has been found that chronic back pain is the major reason for people seeking the help of acupuncture.
According to the acupuncture therapy, the body is made up of various pressure points. Our human body alone consists of more than 2000 such points. These points are connected with one another so that proper energy can flow within the body.
In the process of acupuncture, these points are simulated so that the energy starts flowing properly and the person is relieved of the pain. The sensations caused by the needles invoke the brain and result in the flow of various chemicals too. Acupuncture has proved effective results in the case of back pain as
- It stimulates the various pressure points within the body which helps in the proper energy flow, blood circulation and thereby alleviates the painful joints and muscles.
- It stimulates the natural steroids within the body and sends proper signals to the brain for pain eradication and a soothing and relaxed feeling.
Acupuncture treating back pain is closely related to the release of opioid peptides that are the basic chemicals in the brain having analgesic effect. These opioids are released that eventually help in pain reduction.
Acupuncture stimulates the nervous system and prompts to release these chemicals. It should be however noted that there are only specific points in the body that are con-joined with signals via meridians that release these chemicals. Therefore, addressing the incorrect points would not be helpful.
The Cochrane reviews found in 2010 states that sham acupuncture is far more effective than real acupuncture to treat chronic low back pain.
The benefits were clinically proven by brain imaging studies that say that sham acupuncture has better effect on limbic structures, simultaneously showing analgesic reactions to the spinal and low back region.
Acupuncture also has some serious side effects but are seen in the rarest cases only. If being performed by trained and specialist professionals, the process of acupuncture is quite safe. Some of the side effects of acupuncture include punctured organs and infections.
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