Acupuncture for low back pain
Muscle strain, stiffness and disk-related back pain, treated with gentle Japanese acupuncture.
The short answerAcupuncture can help many people with low back pain. A 2012 analysis of clinical trial data concluded that acupuncture is effective for chronic pain, including back pain. Many of Robert's patients find it eases pain and stiffness and helps them move more easily. Results vary, and new or severe pain should be checked by a doctor.
What low back pain is
Low back pain is pain, tightness or stiffness between the bottom of the ribs and the top of the legs. It is one of the most common reasons people come for acupuncture.
It has many possible causes. Heavy lifting, a sports injury or an ordinary muscle strain can all set it off. Tight muscles can add pressure on the spine. A disk between the vertebrae can bulge or herniate and press on a nerve. Stress, life changes and emotional strain can also make back pain worse, or keep it from settling.
Some back pain eases within a few days or weeks. Some lingers for months and becomes chronic.
How Robert treats low back pain
Robert is a certified practitioner of Toyohari, a Japanese style of meridian therapy. He trained in Japan in 2006 and 2007. Each visit starts with careful pulse reading, which guides where he works. He uses very fine needles and a gentle touch, and many patients barely feel them.
For back pain, Robert usually pairs this whole-body treatment with a few fine needles near the sore area. The aim is to release tight muscles, ease pain, inflammation and stiffness, and help you move more freely. He also treats pain from herniated disks and pinched nerves.
If your back feels cold and achy, he may add moxibustion, a gentle warming therapy that uses the herb mugwort. For long-standing pain, he sometimes suggests a Chinese herbal formula as well.
You rest comfortably on the treatment table while Robert works. For back pain, you may need to uncover your lower back. Robert sees one patient at a time, so each visit is quiet and unhurried.
Research suggests acupuncture can help with chronic pain. A 2012 analysis of acupuncture for chronic pain pooled data from clinical trials on back and neck pain, osteoarthritis, chronic headache and shoulder pain. Its authors concluded that acupuncture is effective for treating chronic pain.
What a course of treatment looks like
Your first visit takes about 75 minutes. Robert asks about your health history and how the pain started, reads your pulse and gives your first treatment. Return visits take about 45 minutes.
A typical course is 5 to 15 weekly sessions. A recent strain often needs fewer visits. Pain that has lasted for years usually needs more. Some patients feel a change after the first treatment. For others, progress is gradual and builds over several sessions. Robert checks your progress as you go and talks with you about how often to come.
If you are also seeing a physical therapist, keep up the exercises they give you. Acupuncture and physical therapy often work well side by side.
Robert does not advise on stopping or changing medication. If you hope to rely less on pain medicine, talk with the doctor who prescribes it.
When to see a doctor first
Most back pain is not dangerous, but some signs need prompt medical care. Get emergency care right away if you have new trouble controlling your bladder or bowels, or numbness in the groin, inner thighs or buttocks.
See a doctor before starting acupuncture if you have:
- Leg weakness that is getting worse, or a foot that drags or slaps when you walk
- Fever, or you feel generally unwell along with back pain
- Unexplained weight loss, or a history of cancer
- Back pain that began after a fall, car accident or other injury
- Severe pain at night or at rest that does not ease
Acupuncture can work alongside your doctor’s care once serious causes have been ruled out.
Related conditions
Back pain often overlaps with sciatica, sports injuries and car-accident injuries.
Common questions
How many sessions will I need?
Most people come once a week for 5 to 15 sessions. A recent strain may settle in fewer visits. Pain that has lasted months or years usually takes longer. Robert will talk with you at your first visit about what to expect, and he checks your progress as you go.
Does acupuncture hurt?
Most patients feel very little. Robert practices Toyohari, a gentle Japanese style that uses very fine needles and a light touch. Many people barely notice the needles and find the treatment relaxing. If anything feels uncomfortable, tell Robert and he will adjust what he is doing.
Can acupuncture help a herniated disk?
Robert treats many patients with pain from herniated or bulging disks. For some people, acupuncture helps ease muscle tension and nerve pain. It does not replace a medical evaluation. If you have leg weakness, numbness, or any change in bladder or bowel control, see a doctor right away.
Can I keep working and exercising during treatment?
Usually, yes. Staying gently active is generally good for back pain. Robert may suggest easing off heavy lifting or hard workouts for a while if they flare your pain. Follow any limits your doctor or physical therapist has given you, and let Robert know what your days involve.
Does insurance cover acupuncture for back pain?
Coverage for acupuncture varies by plan. Robert works with many insurance plans and also accepts auto-accident PIP if your back pain started with a car accident. He can check your benefits before your first visit, so you know what your plan covers before you begin treatment.
Should I see a doctor first?
If your pain is new, severe or getting worse, yes. See a doctor first if your pain followed a fall or accident, or if you have fever, numbness, weakness or bladder or bowel changes. Acupuncture can work alongside your doctor's care, and Robert is glad to coordinate with your other providers.
Questions? Ask Robert.
He’ll tell you plainly whether acupuncture is likely to help. Sees patients Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, by appointment.