Posts In: Back pain

Auricular Acupuncture

February 16, 2018

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a medical system that dates back nearly 4,000 years. Auricular acupuncture was first mentioned around 500 B.C. in the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine, which is the equivalent of the Bible for TCM practitioners. However, the method in which auricular acupuncture is practiced today is actually based upon discoveries that occurred in France in the 1950s. Modern auricular acupuncture is based upon the work done by Dr. Paul Nogier of France. (more…)

Most people discover acupuncture when other treatments fail. This was the case with my patient Nicole, who suffered from lower back pain and has kindly consented to write up her notes for this case study.

Nicole suffers from recurring sciatica and chronic lower back pain.

She first experienced lower back pain as a teenager as a result of an over exuberant bear hug from her father. She felt something go and was in pain for days. Pregnancy and then two further accidents aggravated the original injury.  Over the years she Nicole tried everything from painkillers and prescription drugs to exercise and physiotherapy, these gave her some relief but no long-term benefit.

She contacted me out of desperation, as nothing seemed to help. Nicole had been in constant pain for a few months but the lower back pain suddenly increased in intensity to the point where movement was difficult affecting daily activities. Working as a college lecturer, the lower back pain had become so severe that she was finding it challenging to stand up.

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Acupuncture Awareness Week is upon us once again, and this year’s focus will be on back pain, a common ailment that affects most people at some time in their lives.

A recent survey of 5,000 adults around the country carried out by the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) revealed that 76% of adults have suffered from back pain in the past, and a significant number of people (40%) have recurring back pain issues, with 48% reporting that back pain has curtailed their physical activities.

The vast majority of people (70%) reported taking painkillers or prescription drugs to deal with their back pain and discomfort. But I think it’s appropriate to mention that the use of painkillers deals with the symptoms but not the root problem.

Acupuncture can be a very effective treatment for back pain because it treats the symptoms as well as the root cause. Endorsed by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence, Acupuncture is an effective treatment for lower back pain.

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