Back pain is a common health problem and a real widespread disease that can affect people of all ages. The causes of back pain are manifold. They range from incorrect or one-sided posture and lack of exercise to injuries and diseases of the spine. Back pain can occur in different areas of the back, such as the upper or lower back or the neck. Often, the spine itself is also the cause of the discomfort (e.g., in the case of a herniated disc). Conservative methods such as physiotherapy, stretching exercises or acupuncture often help with back pain. We offer the latter in our private practice for orthopedics and traumatology in Frankfurt.
Acupuncture: What is it?
Acupuncture is a method of treatment that has its origins in Traditional Chinese Medicine. TCM assumes that life has an energy called Qi. Diseases occur when Qi is out of balance and the flow of energy is obstructed. Acupuncture is a way to bring the flow of energy back into balance. To do this, we place acupuncture needles at specific energy points to stimulate them.
The insertion of the needles into the tissue acts as a small, harmless inflammatory stimulus to the body. This can result in localized blood flow stimulation, while also having an anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effect. In addition, acupuncture triggers a nervous system response that can have a reflex effect on organs and tissues. The autonomic nervous system responds to the stimulus triggered by the needles, which can improve muscle tone.
Acupuncture is an effective and safe method that does not require the use of medication, making it an alternative or complement to other treatment methods.
Acupuncture for back pain: effective method for relieving discomfort – confirmed by study
According to a study conducted by the University of Regensburg, massages and heat therapy for back pain are pleasant and effective, but not as effective as acupuncture. The researchers examined 1162 patients and divided them into three groups.
The first group was treated conventionally with painkillers, physiotherapy and back training. The second group received regular acupuncture. The third group received a sham treatment, in which the doctors placed acupuncture needles in places that are not considered acupuncture points and the needles did not penetrate as deeply into the tissue as in a “real” treatment.
The study shows that nearly half of the patients treated with acupuncture felt significant improvement after six months, compared to the placebo group, in which 44 percent felt improvement, and the conventionally treated group, in which 27 percent noticed improvement. The positive effect of acupuncture lasted for several months.
The authors of the study conclude that the superiority of both forms of acupuncture points to a mechanism that influences the development of pain and the transmission of pain signals in the central nervous system.
(Source: Focus online)
Acupuncture for back pain in our practice in Frankfurt, Germany.
You see: Acupuncture is a promising treatment method for back pain and other orthopedic complaints. In our practice in Frankfurt, we will be happy to inform you about this treatment option and whether it is suitable for your individual case.
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