Alleviate Back Pain with Acupuncture in Manhattan and Brooklyn, NYC
Back pain a prevalent and costly ailment, ranks as the 6th most expensive condition in the United States. It imposes a significant financial burden, costing Americans at least 50 billion in health care costs annually, not to mention the cost of missed work due to disability. It is the third most common reason for a doctor's visit, following skin disorders and osteoarthritis joint issues. For Acupuncturists, it is the #1 reason people seek their services.
Yes, Acupuncture Works
Does it work? Those who turn to acupuncture can find comfort in the fact that they are increasing their odds of finding relief. Acupuncture is effective for chronic pain, including low back pain. Not only is acupuncture more clinically effective than no treatment at short-term follow-ups that looked at measures of pain relief and functional improvement, but it was also substantially better than standard care in a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that included around 20,000 patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain.
Acupuncture, a remarkably safe practice, offers a comforting alternative for those seeking relief from back pain. In a cumulative review of more than 1 million acupuncture treatments, the risk of a severe adverse event was estimated to be 0.05 per 10,000 treatments and 0.55 per 10,000 individual patients. The most common side effects were minor and included bleeding at the needle site and localized needling pain.
How? Move Qi - Alleviate Pain
So, how does gently inserting acupuncture needles in the various body points help alleviate back pain? According to Acupuncture theory, the explanation involves the movement of stuck energy (qi) and blood in the body. Points along various energy channels open pathways and redirect 'traffic' to promote a healthy flow of qi and blood. Western biomedical research examines acupuncture's effects on the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems. It has been shown that the stimulation with acupuncture needles produces an analgesic effect through the release of endorphins, dopamine, endogenous cannabinoids (some of the body's natural painkillers), and anti-inflammatory substances, as well as the inhibition of pro-inflammatory factors.
Acupuncture's beneficial effects extend beyond the treatment period, providing a beacon of hope for lasting relief. In a meta-analysis of around 18,000 patients with chronic pain, 90% of the pain-relieving effects were maintained at one year out, demonstrating its long-term effectiveness.As far as cost-effectiveness, acupuncture scores again. In one study in Canada, low back pain patients divided into two groups (201 patients receiving acupuncture and 804 patients not receiving acupuncture) were evaluated for the number of medical doctor visits required for treatment of their low back pain. The acupuncture patients saw their doctors 49% less after having acupuncture compared with the year before having acupuncture. Non-acupuncture patients had a decrease of only 2%.
Approved by the World health Organization
The WHO officially classifies acupuncture as a cost-effective treatment strategy in patients with chronic low back pain, according to their cost-effectiveness threshold values. Back pain, as many of us have experienced, can be an expensive threat to our quality of life. However, depending on the cause and severity of the back pain, acupuncture can be a safe and cost-effective alternative or complementary approach to treatment, providing much-needed relief. We encourage you to consider acupuncture a viable treatment option, empowering you to take control of your health and well-being!
Ready to live a more productive life?
Marc J. Gian is an Acupuncturist in Flatiron NYC and Crown Heights and Prospect Heights Brooklyn with over 25 years of experience in treating back pain. Contact Marc and look forward to feeling better today!