Shooting Leg Pain and Acupuncture
Nothing is so painful as a leg nerve that is acting up. There is relief for this and acupuncture is one way to get it.
It is characterized by pain that begins in the lower back and moves down the leg. The sciatic nerve runs from the lower back and down the back of the leg. There are several causes for this condition including inflammation of the nerve itself. In some cases, the condition is caused by overexertion, and sometimes it is caused by putting too much pressure on the nerve simply by sitting it in a poor position.
In a few rare cases, the condition becomes chronic. In most cases, the chronic conditions can be traced to traumatic damage to the lower back or spine or to the nerve itself. The treatment is usually centered on relief of the pain. Pain killers are given and rest is suggested.
Leg nerve pain responds very well to acupuncture. Acupuncture has a very good record for the relief of unspecific pain and the reduction of inflammation. In fact, leg nerve pain and acupuncture make such a good condition and treatment match that some people find that they can bring about some pain relief and quicker healing times with the application of acupressure to the correct points.
Nerve pain is one of those ailments that really does seem to call for the use of alternative medicines. It is often treated by chiropractors as well as physical therapists. What makes acupuncture such a good choice for the treatment is that the diagnosis method of Traditional Chinese Medicine will look well past the pain, which it will see as merely a symptom, to the underlying cause. This will suggest a program of treatment that will include relief of pain and increased healing, but will also address an overall plan of diet, exercise, and herbal supplements designed to prevent its return.
Since most incidents of nerve aggravation are not life threatening nor are they usually of long duration, the taking of chemical pain killers that might have side effects does not seem to be the most logical choice to one who cares about the overall health of his body. Acupuncture has the advantage of being safe and the virtual lack of adverse side effects seems to point to it as a safer choice.
Article Source: http://www.eastwindsacupuncture.com
Acupuncture and Back Pain
By Betty Durden
Research carried out in 2002 indicated that almost 80% of the world’s population would suffer from some kind of back pain with lower back pain being the most common type. In addition to the high rate of incidence, back pain is also known to have a high rate of recurrence in patients. With patients trying everything from over the counter painkillers to physiotherapy to gain relief from back pain, Acupuncture comes as a welcome change.
Acupuncture is a natural method of treatment that involves no chemicals or surgery. Thin stainless steel needles are inserted into the body at various acupuncture points to stimulate the free flow of Chi or life force through the body. Free flowing Chi results in a healthy and pain free body. Large bodies of research have been able to establish a connection between acupuncture and relief from back pain-especially sciatica.
Sciatica refers to a type of back pain in which the pain radiates from the buttocks down the legs. Sometimes, sciatica pain can also be a consequence of a muscle spasm impinging on the sciatica nerve. Acupuncture can be effectively used to alleviate muscle spasms. The results are almost immediate and can provide relief within minutes.
Back pain is generally caused because muscles that are not frequently exercised and stretched are suddenly put to excessive use. Muscle spasms are common in such cases and result in the individual feeling sore, stiff and a dull ache in the back. Patients suffering from sciatica may even feel a tingling sensation or numbness. This is generally due to the narrowing of the disc space or a disc protrusion in the lumbar region.
Acupuncture is used to improve blood circulation to the entire lumbar region and spinal cord. It relaxes paraspinal muscles and provides relief from muscle spasms. The increased blood flow provides greater nourishment to the discs and increases the elasticity and strengthens the spinal cord. Thus, acupuncture can be extremely effective in reducing back pain symptoms. It is important to remember that different patients respond differently to acupuncture sessions and it can take anywhere between 4-12 sessions to really feel the difference.
Betty Durden is a staff writer for The National Acupuncture Specialists located at http://www.acupuncture-treatment-specialists.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Betty_Durden
Acupuncture Works for Knee Pain
By Michael Roland
Acupuncture is well proven for pain relief. Everyday, thousands of people in the United States alone receive acupuncture for their pain. A recent study sponsored at the National Institutes of Health shows conclusively that acupuncture is effective for the relief of knee pain caused by osteoarthritis. In fact it reduced the need for pain medications by 40% at the same time increasing functionality be 40%. A study from Demark even showed acupuncture to reduce the need for knee replacement surgery. It can also help reduce pain and swelling from tendonitis, bursitis, injuries and from rheumatoid arthritis.
If you are in pain, 40% reduction sounds pretty good. No two people have exactly the same level of response but, generally speaking, I like to see 80% reduction in knee pain within eight treatments. Being able to lower your pain medication also means that you lower your risk of side effects associated with long-term drug use. Speaking of side effects, acupuncture has proven to be very safe with a very low incidence of minor side effects. In fact, most people, rather than suffering negative side effects, have a sense of well-being and relaxation after acupuncture. Now that’s good medicine!
We don’t know exactly how acupuncture works. There are two main scientific theories. Gate Theory and endorphins. The Gate Theory suggests that stimulation of the acupuncture needles inhibits certain nerve fibers from relaying the pain message. Another theory suggests that acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins, a powerful morphine like substance that occurs naturally in the brain. Both theories may have merit, but we are still far from understanding exactly how acupuncture works scientifically. Don’t worry. We don’t know exactly how some commonly used drugs, like Tylenol work either.
Does it hurt?
Acupuncture needles are much smaller that most other needles. A good acupuncturist can often insert needles without any pain at all. Once the needles are placed you may feel unique sensation associated with the stimulation of the acupuncture point. Normally six to twelve of the tiny needles are placed near the area of pain or on various other areas on the body. I have treated knee pain successfully using only one point but usually several are needed to affect relief.
How long does it take to work?
Most of my patients have relief the moment they step off of the treatment table! Some patients will take up to six treatments before experiencing significant relief. Lasting pain relief will usually take several treatments. In my office, I suggest two treatments per week for three weeks, then one treatment a week for two weeks. At this point we will reassess to see if more treatments are needed. Some patients will not need to come in after the course of treatment, while other with chronic conditions, find that regular maintenance treatments are needed to keep the knee pain at bay. There are cases where it doesn’t work but, they are relatively infrequent.
Acupuncture may be the only treatment needed for knee pain, but it’s good to know that it works well with other therapies like anti-inflammatories, pain relievers, exercise, physical therapy and massage. Most acupuncturists, including myself are very happy to work with doctors and other therapists when it means getting better results for you.
Good Luck and Good Health!
Michael Roland, L.Ac., MTCM is the acupuncture and Chinese medicine expert on drweil.com. He is in private practice in Tucson Arizona.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Roland
Nothing is so painful as a leg nerve that is acting up. There is relief for this and acupuncture is one way to get it.
It is characterized by pain that begins in the lower back and moves down the leg. The sciatic nerve runs from the lower back and down the back of the leg. There are several causes for this condition including inflammation of the nerve itself. In some cases, the condition is caused by overexertion, and sometimes it is caused by putting too much pressure on the nerve simply by sitting it in a poor position.
In a few rare cases, the condition becomes chronic. In most cases, the chronic conditions can be traced to traumatic damage to the lower back or spine or to the nerve itself. The treatment is usually centered on relief of the pain. Pain killers are given and rest is suggested.
Leg nerve pain responds very well to acupuncture. Acupuncture has a very good record for the relief of unspecific pain and the reduction of inflammation. In fact, leg nerve pain and acupuncture make such a good condition and treatment match that some people find that they can bring about some pain relief and quicker healing times with the application of acupressure to the correct points.
Nerve pain is one of those ailments that really does seem to call for the use of alternative medicines. It is often treated by chiropractors as well as physical therapists. What makes acupuncture such a good choice for the treatment is that the diagnosis method of Traditional Chinese Medicine will look well past the pain, which it will see as merely a symptom, to the underlying cause. This will suggest a program of treatment that will include relief of pain and increased healing, but will also address an overall plan of diet, exercise, and herbal supplements designed to prevent its return.
Since most incidents of nerve aggravation are not life threatening nor are they usually of long duration, the taking of chemical pain killers that might have side effects does not seem to be the most logical choice to one who cares about the overall health of his body. Acupuncture has the advantage of being safe and the virtual lack of adverse side effects seems to point to it as a safer choice.
Article Source: http://www.eastwindsacupuncture.com
Acupuncture and Back Pain
By Betty Durden
Research carried out in 2002 indicated that almost 80% of the world’s population would suffer from some kind of back pain with lower back pain being the most common type. In addition to the high rate of incidence, back pain is also known to have a high rate of recurrence in patients. With patients trying everything from over the counter painkillers to physiotherapy to gain relief from back pain, Acupuncture comes as a welcome change.
Acupuncture is a natural method of treatment that involves no chemicals or surgery. Thin stainless steel needles are inserted into the body at various acupuncture points to stimulate the free flow of Chi or life force through the body. Free flowing Chi results in a healthy and pain free body. Large bodies of research have been able to establish a connection between acupuncture and relief from back pain-especially sciatica.
Sciatica refers to a type of back pain in which the pain radiates from the buttocks down the legs. Sometimes, sciatica pain can also be a consequence of a muscle spasm impinging on the sciatica nerve. Acupuncture can be effectively used to alleviate muscle spasms. The results are almost immediate and can provide relief within minutes.
Back pain is generally caused because muscles that are not frequently exercised and stretched are suddenly put to excessive use. Muscle spasms are common in such cases and result in the individual feeling sore, stiff and a dull ache in the back. Patients suffering from sciatica may even feel a tingling sensation or numbness. This is generally due to the narrowing of the disc space or a disc protrusion in the lumbar region.
Acupuncture is used to improve blood circulation to the entire lumbar region and spinal cord. It relaxes paraspinal muscles and provides relief from muscle spasms. The increased blood flow provides greater nourishment to the discs and increases the elasticity and strengthens the spinal cord. Thus, acupuncture can be extremely effective in reducing back pain symptoms. It is important to remember that different patients respond differently to acupuncture sessions and it can take anywhere between 4-12 sessions to really feel the difference.
Betty Durden is a staff writer for The National Acupuncture Specialists located at http://www.acupuncture-treatment-specialists.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Betty_Durden
Acupuncture Works for Knee Pain
By Michael Roland
Acupuncture is well proven for pain relief. Everyday, thousands of people in the United States alone receive acupuncture for their pain. A recent study sponsored at the National Institutes of Health shows conclusively that acupuncture is effective for the relief of knee pain caused by osteoarthritis. In fact it reduced the need for pain medications by 40% at the same time increasing functionality be 40%. A study from Demark even showed acupuncture to reduce the need for knee replacement surgery. It can also help reduce pain and swelling from tendonitis, bursitis, injuries and from rheumatoid arthritis.
If you are in pain, 40% reduction sounds pretty good. No two people have exactly the same level of response but, generally speaking, I like to see 80% reduction in knee pain within eight treatments. Being able to lower your pain medication also means that you lower your risk of side effects associated with long-term drug use. Speaking of side effects, acupuncture has proven to be very safe with a very low incidence of minor side effects. In fact, most people, rather than suffering negative side effects, have a sense of well-being and relaxation after acupuncture. Now that’s good medicine!
We don’t know exactly how acupuncture works. There are two main scientific theories. Gate Theory and endorphins. The Gate Theory suggests that stimulation of the acupuncture needles inhibits certain nerve fibers from relaying the pain message. Another theory suggests that acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins, a powerful morphine like substance that occurs naturally in the brain. Both theories may have merit, but we are still far from understanding exactly how acupuncture works scientifically. Don’t worry. We don’t know exactly how some commonly used drugs, like Tylenol work either.
Does it hurt?
Acupuncture needles are much smaller that most other needles. A good acupuncturist can often insert needles without any pain at all. Once the needles are placed you may feel unique sensation associated with the stimulation of the acupuncture point. Normally six to twelve of the tiny needles are placed near the area of pain or on various other areas on the body. I have treated knee pain successfully using only one point but usually several are needed to affect relief.
How long does it take to work?
Most of my patients have relief the moment they step off of the treatment table! Some patients will take up to six treatments before experiencing significant relief. Lasting pain relief will usually take several treatments. In my office, I suggest two treatments per week for three weeks, then one treatment a week for two weeks. At this point we will reassess to see if more treatments are needed. Some patients will not need to come in after the course of treatment, while other with chronic conditions, find that regular maintenance treatments are needed to keep the knee pain at bay. There are cases where it doesn’t work but, they are relatively infrequent.
Acupuncture may be the only treatment needed for knee pain, but it’s good to know that it works well with other therapies like anti-inflammatories, pain relievers, exercise, physical therapy and massage. Most acupuncturists, including myself are very happy to work with doctors and other therapists when it means getting better results for you.
Good Luck and Good Health!
Michael Roland, L.Ac., MTCM is the acupuncture and Chinese medicine expert on drweil.com. He is in private practice in Tucson Arizona.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Roland