The Pointe - Acupuncturist In Encino, CA USA

Acupuncture Could Relieve Your Back Pain

Finding lasting relief for back pain can be challenging, particularly if you would like to treat your symptoms naturally. Whether you've had a recent back injury or are struggling with chronic pain, acupuncture can help you keep your back pain under control.

When Back Pain Takes Over Your Life

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 600 million people worldwide suffer from low back pain, the most common type. The WHO expects that number to increase to 843 million by 2050 due to population increases and aging.

The number of people with back pain isn't surprising, considering the daily wear and tear on the back. In addition to stabilizing the body, the spine absorbs shock and helps you bend and twist easily.

Although the back is designed to handle a variety of activities, it's not invincible. Lifting with your back instead of your legs can strain muscles and soft tissue, while poor posture stresses muscles and tissues, increasing your risk for painful strains and sprains. Back pain may occur for many other reasons, including muscle spasms, sciatica, disc issues, and arthritis.

Do you spend most of the day using digital devices? Bending your head forward when looking at devices stresses the neck and spine and may cause neck and upper back pain. Even minor back pain can interfere with your daily activities and leave you feeling a little grumpy.

Chronic back pain may make it difficult to concentrate at work or enjoy your usual leisure activities. No matter the cause of your pain, acupuncture may relieve or decrease your symptoms. Depending on the degree of symptom relief, you may be able to manage your pain with acupuncture alone. Acupuncture can also be combined with pain medication and other standard medical care options.

Treating Back Pain with Acupuncture

Acupuncture offers an effective back pain management method and is one of the low back pain treatments recommended by the American College of Physicians. Treatments correct imbalances caused by Qi blockages. Qi, an important life energy, flows through the body and promotes good health.

Acupuncturists clear blockages by inserting thin needles into the skin at precise spots known as acupuncture points. Treatments aren't painful, although you might notice a slight twinge or ache when the hair-thin needles are inserted.

Acupuncture offers a good solution for many types of pain, including back pain. Treatments improve symptoms by:

Offering Natural Pain Relief. Acupuncture treatments activate your body's pain relief system. Treatments help your body release endorphins and serotonin, soothing hormones that reduce pain.
Easing Stress. Stress tightens muscles, increasing pain. Endorphins and serotonin released during acupuncture provide a calming effect that helps muscles relax.
Reducing Inflammation. According to a research study published in Pain Reports in 2024, acupuncture not only relieves pain but also targets inflammation. Inflammation is often a factor in pain and stiffness.
Making Moving Easier. Acupuncture treatments boost flexibility and eliminate stiffness that decreases mobility. Treatments relieve stiffness and spasms and improve flexibility and range of motion.
Improving Circulation. Acupuncture promotes healing by improving blood flow. Your blood carries nutrients the body needs for healing.
Blocking Pain Signals. Nerve signals travel from your aching back to your brain, where they're classified as pain. Acupuncture treatments may block pain signals from reaching the brain, interrupting the pain identification process.

Researchers agree that acupuncture could help keep back pain under control. A chronic low back pain study funded by the National Institutes of Health compared acupuncture to medical care for back pain in older adults. Acupuncture reduced pain and improved physical function better than standard medical care, such as pain medications or physical therapy, according to the study results.

Ease your back pain with acupuncture. Contact our office to schedule your appointment with the acupuncturist.

Sources:

World Health Organization: Low Back Pain, 6/19/2023

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/low-back-pain

American College of Physicians: American College of Physicians Issues Guideline for Treating Nonradicular Low Back Pain, 2/14/2017

https://www.acponline.org/acp-newsroom/american-college-of-physicians-issues-guideline-for-treating-nonradicular-low-back-pain

National Institutes of Health: Acupuncture Treatment Improves Disabling Effects of Chronic Low Back Pain in Older Adults, 9/12/2025

https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/acupuncture-treatment-improves-disabling-effects-chronic-low-back-pain-older-adults

AARP: Acupuncture for Lower-Back Pain: Really?, 2/6/2020

https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/acupuncture-back-pain/

PMC: Pain Reports: Recent Advances in Acupuncture for Pain Relief, 9/13/2024

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11404884/