5 Ways to Alleviate Back Pain

Often, back pain is what leads people to their first Acupuncture experience. It’s one of the most frequent complaints heard by medical professionals in general. 80% of Americans will experience back pain during their lives. Worldwide, back pain is the single leading cause of disability.  

Typical modern-day approaches to back pain include physical therapy, pain medication, and even surgery when severe, depending on the diagnosis. Acupuncture (just one of the many Chinese medicine tools) is a cost-effective pain-relief option with a low risk of adverse side effects. Chinese Medicine offers some self-care tips to try at home for mild cases. 

Rest & Exercise  

The proper balance of yin and yang is the central tenet of Chinese Medicine, and when it comes to back pain, either extreme can be a cause. We can develop painful stagnant energy in our bodies from a sedentary lifestyle (extreme yin). On the flip side, we can deplete our yin with too much activity (extreme yang), leaving us susceptible to injury, withered muscles, and brittle bones. Ask yourself where the balance is needed. Sometimes, all that’s required is a nap or a walk for mild back pain.

Hot & cold 

Another way to address the yin/yang balance needed for a strong, pain-free back is with hot and cold applications. First, we need to figure out if the problem is too yang (hot) or too yin (cold). Usually, acute issues involve more hot inflammation (yang). A cooling balm can be quite soothing. Whereas with chronic conditions, heat is often more appropriate to open stagnant channels and encourage qi and blood flow for healing.

Acupressure

Specific points on the body help to open the channels of the low back to relieve pain and stagnation. LI 4 (Joining Valley) is located in the fleshy depression just beyond the meeting point of the thumb and first finger bones and strongly stimulates qi and blood flow throughout the body. UB40 (Supporting Middle) is at the midpoint of the crease behind the knee and opens up the primary channel that runs along the back. These are excellent points to massage gently for chronic and acute back pain.

Topical herbs: 

Tiger balm is a popular Chinese salve for topical pain relief. Still another bathroom cabinet essential is Zheng Gu Shui (Evil Bone Water). This herbal ointment can be applied directly to the skin of the low back to penetrate with blood moving, pain-relieving qualities. Meridian Biologix brand also carries a potent blend to aid in alleviating pain. Quiet Channel

Qi gong

There are great (free!) instructional videos that demonstrate specific qi gong exercises that support the low back, such as ‘Knocking on the Door of Life’ and ‘Spinal Chord Breathing’. For beginners, just a basic qi gong stance with some breathing can start to move the stuck qi. Wu Ji posture is thought to help bring the body into proper alignment. With feet shoulder-width apart and relaxed knees, roll your pelvis in, drop the shoulders but spread them open, tuck the chin and imagine the top of the head being pulled upward. Breathe slow, smooth, and deep (through the nose and out the mouth), allowing your mind to be quiet. Feel your connection to the earth through the soles of your feet. It can also help to get barefoot in the grass on a sunny day!. This practice alone (if done regularly) can also completely change your response to stress, a significant factor in pain perception.

These tips can aid in alleviating mild back pain. However, if you have suffered from chronic back pain, send Marc J. Gian a message and book your acupuncture and massage session in Flatiron, NYC, or Crown Heights, Brooklyn.