Acupuncture for neck, back, shoulder or sciatic pain

 

Feeling strong again

Acupuncture is very well known for back pain.  Pain in the neck, back, shoulders and sciatic area is very widespread, is not nice to live with, and can respond well to acupuncture. 

 

Jessica's diagnostic process looks at many factors, including the location of the pain, whether it is dull or sharp, continuous or intermittent, came on suddenly or gradually, is worse with stillness or with exertion, and numerous other features, in order to reach a fully individualised diagnosis.  Acupuncture treatment seeks to stimulate the local circulation, and re-establish a smooth and healthy flow of blood and energy in order to relieve pain and inflammation and strengthen the area.

 

Case studies

"I decided to have acupuncture to try to relieve pain and stiffness in my neck and upper back. This had been a persistent problem for years but had become particularly bad at that time resulting in almost constant headaches. As well, my sinuses were sore - the cold, damp London air in the winter doesn't help! - and nothing seemed to relieve that either. I was surprised at what a difference just one acupuncture treatment made and after a few treatments, both problems had eased and neither has bothered me much since."

A PA in her 30s

"Acupuncture was recommended to me by my chiropractor, who was treating me for back and neck problems brought on by being stuck at my desk. I found Jessica through a web search for local practitioners.  Jessica ran through an extensive questionnaire with me and identified several conditions that she could help with.   My neck and back symptoms started to ease after my first treatment, and subsequent sessions, together with my chiropractor, have finally seen the end of almost constant pain. The two approaches to treating the symptoms have really complemented each other and have ensured a speedy recovery from a long-term problem.  Jessica takes an extremely professional and warm approach to her treatments. She's very keen to ensure you understand how acupuncture works, and is very patient when asked the same questions over and over. If you're after a friendly and holistic approach to your health, look no further."

An project director in her 30s

"Hi Jessica, do you remember the day I walked into your clinic aided by two crutches?  I was in excruciating pain suffering with spondylolithesis [vertebral displacement].  I was unable to sit, stand, lay or walk without pain.  Following approximately eight weeks of treatment, my pain reduced and I was able to walk unaided, I was able to get a good nights sleep, the improvement was endless.  All I can say is thank you Jessica for treatment and helping to put me back on the road to recovery..."

An NHS manager in her 40s

"I started acupuncture to treat a bad back but with Jessica's thorough approach I soon learned that many of my little pains and niggles could all be helped with treatment and I soon found myself feeling healthier, more energetic and more aware of my body and what it is telling me! I would be happy to recommend acupuncture with Jessica to anyone."

An administrator in her 20s

"For about 18 months my back had been achy and stiff after exercise, and much less limber than before.  It got to the point where it was holding me back from doing as much exercise as I wanted, and my Tai Chi teacher suggested acupuncture.  Acupuncture hasn't sorted it out completely, but it's better than it was, less painful and a bit more flexible.  Overall it doesn't bother me now like it did before." 

A retired engineer in his 60s

"When I first decided to visit Jessica I was very unwell and was feeling very low with little motivation.  I had been off work and in hospital due to inflammation of the sacroiliac joint and was barely able to walk or even sit for that matter.  The moment I met Jessica I felt comfortable and at ease. Jessica is sympathetic and caring and doesn’t just treat the problem but the person.  Not only has she helped with the inflammation but I am more motivated than I ever was since my illness.  Friends and family have noticed the change in me and I can now look forward to living my life, being a confident, happy and slightly more laid back woman.  I have been seeing Jessica for nearly a year now, NOT because I have to but because I look forward to the monthly boost of making me feel relaxed and focused on living life to the fullest.   I would strongly recommend a visit to Jessica."

An administrator in her 30s

 

click for more case studies

 

Research

A 2003 report by the World Health Organisation (WHO)(1) found that lower back pain, neck pain, periarthritis of the shoulder, and sciatica are among the conditions "for which acupuncture has been proved - through controlled trials - to be an effective treatment".  Radicular and pseudoradicular pain syndrome are conditions "for which the therapeutic effect of acupuncture has been shown but for which further proof is needed".

 

A 2007 German study found acupuncture to be twice as effective as Western medical treatment for back pain, see BBC article(2).

 

A 2006 report by the British Medical Journal(3) found that acupuncture can have a long term benefit for non specific low back pain.

 

Meanwhile a review(4) by the British Medical Journal described acupuncture as "very safe" when practiced by an appropriately-qualified practitioner. 

 

The modern evidence base for acupuncture is incomplete, and this is true for a great many areas of conventional medicine too.  The Clinical Evidence website of the British Medical Journal tells us that of the 2,500 conventional medical treatments their databases cover, 46% are of unknown effectiveness (as at October 2009)(5). 

 

Jessica continues to witness the benefits of acupuncture for many people in her work, utilising the knowledge and practice of Chinese medicine built up over thousands of years.  She's happy that more and more modern scientific research is being done into acupuncture, helping to bring it to a wider audience. 

 

Different types of back pain

Sprains or local damage: acupuncture can often relieve pain, reduce the swelling and inflammation, and promote healing following an injury, even when the area is too inflamed and swollen for techniques like osteopathy or physiotherapy.  Ideally treatment should start as soon as possible after the injury, but is still often very helpful weeks or months later.

 

Muscular tension: strong tension in the upper back, shoulders and neck is another common source of back problems, sometimes giving strong pain and/or generating headaches.  Acupuncture is used here to release knots and tension, and can bring great relief.  The treatment process will also seek to identify and improve the underlying source of the tension, in which stress will often play a part.

 

Other common problems in the neck, back, shoulders which often respond well to acupuncture include:

  Aches

  Sciatic pain in the lower back, which may radiate across the hips and down the legs

  Stiffness and/or limitation of movement

 

Long-standing backache which has become more entrenched in an older person generally reflects an underlying deficiency and may not respond as strongly to treatment.

 

Contact Jessica

Each of us responds differently to acupuncture.  Do get in touch to discuss whether acupuncture is likely to be right for you, or to make an appointment.

 

 

Other conditions

Acupuncture can help with a wide range of health problems, click below to find out more:

 

Detailed references

(1) http://www.acupuncture-schools.us/national-institute-health-nih-acupuncture.cfm, referring to World Health Organisation (2002).  Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trial, see http://apps.who.int/bookorders/anglais/detart1.jsp?sesslan=1&codlan=1&codcol=93&codcch=196

(2) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7011738.stm, referring to Haake, Michael et al (2007). German Acupuncture Trials (GERAC) for Chronic Low Back Pain.  Archives of Internal Medicine Vol. 167 No. 17, see http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/167/17/1892

(3) Thomas, K et al (2006). Acupuncture may help in non-specific low back pain. British Medical Journal 2006;333 (23 September), doi:10.1136/bmj.333.7569.0, see http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/333/7569/0

(4) Rampes (2001).  The safety of acupuncture.  British Medical Journal 2001;323(7311):467 (1 September), doi:10.1136/bmj.323.7311.467, see http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/323/7311/467

(4) From the 'About Us' area of the Clinical Evidence BMJ website, page titled 'How much do we know', http://clinicalevidence.bmj.com/ceweb/about/knowledge.jsp.  Extract at Oct 2009: "So what can Clinical Evidence tell us about the state of our current knowledge? What proportion of commonly used treatments are supported by good evidence, what proportion should not be used or used only with caution, and how big are the gaps in our knowledge? Of around 2500 treatments covered 13% are rated as beneficial, 23% likely to be beneficial, 8% as trade off between benefits and harms, 6% unlikely to be beneficial, 4% likely to be ineffective or harmful, and 46%, the largest proportion, as unknown effectiveness"

© Jessica Kennedy 2005-09, all rights reserved