It is estimated that as many as 85% of the population
experiences back pain at some point in their lives.
Each year this problem costs the NHS around £500m
and causes a staggering loss of 50 million working
days.
Scientists
have recently found that acupuncture can provide
significantly more relief from lower back pain
than any other conventional therapy. The Chinese
needle treatment was 74% more likely to lead
to a sustained reduction in pain or improved
ability to function normally than medication
and other forms of treatment.
WHAT
IS ACUPUNCTURE?
Traditional
acupuncture is based on the principle that our
health depends on the balanced functioning of
the body's energy, known as Qi. When we are
in perfect health all the energy runs harmoniously
throughout our body. When an illness arises
the flow of energy becomes disturbed and this
can manifest in a diverse array of symptoms.
Using very fine needles acupuncture aims to
correct the flow of energy and by doing this
the symptoms will be resolved.
TREATING
BACK PAIN
As a qualified Physiotherapist I initially carry
out a thorough objective assessment to find
out the root cause of the pain. This involves
assessing the individual's signs and symptoms,
movement patterns and posture. From these findings
the most effective form of treatment will be
chosen, whether it be exercises, postural correction,
massage, back mobilisations, acupuncture or
a combination of them all.
Acupuncture
is very effective at treating back pain. During
an acupuncture treatment I massage and palpate
to find the most painful areas that are causing
the pain and then treat it accordingly.
I will look to see what acupuncture channels
have been affected and then treat further along
the channel to stimulate the movement of qi
and blood away from the affected area. Acupuncture
works very well and the results are often immediate.’
To book an appointment with
Natural Practices' Chartered Physiotherapist
and Registered Acupuncturist, Christie
Lewis MCSP BSc HPC AACP,
Call 01625 549000 or mobile: 07779782902.
