Back to Homepage
 

If you have lower back pain, you are not alone. Nearly everyone at some point has back pain that interferes with work, routine daily activities, or recreation. Americans spend at least $75 billion each year on low back pain, the most common cause of job-related disability and a leading contributor to missed work. Back pain is the second most common neurological ailment in the United States - only headache is more common.

Acute or short-term low back pain generally lasts from a few days to a few weeks. Most acute back pain is mechanical in nature - the result of trauma to the lower back or a disorder such as arthritis. Pain from trauma may be caused by a sports injury, work around the house or in the garden, or a sudden jolt such as a car accident or other stress on spinal bones and tissues. Symptoms may range from muscle ache to shooting or stabbing pain, limited flexibility and/or range of motion, or an inability to stand straight. Occasionally, pain felt in one part of the body may “radiate” from a disorder or injury elsewhere in the body. Some acute pain syndromes can become more serious if left untreated.

Chronic back pain is measured by duration — pain that persists for more than 3 months is considered chronic. It is often progressive and the cause can be difficult to determine.
Sit properly. Straight back, weight on both your butt muscles, both feet on the floor. Having your chair slightly bent forward may help with this. Also, if you have a big wallet in your pants pocket and sit on it all day, move it somewhere else. It is elevating one of your butt muscles and as a consequence your back is not straight.
Exercise. Regular aerobic activities that don't strain or jolt your back can increase strength and endurance in your lower back, allowing your muscles to function better. These aerobic exercises include walking, swimming or biking. Talk with your doctor about which activity is best for you.

Build muscle strength and flexibility. Conditioned abdominal and back muscles work together like a natural corset for your back. Flexibility in your hips and upper legs allows for proper pelvic bone alignment, which improves how your back feels. Doing several simple exercises on a regular basis can help support and align your back.

Quit smoking. Smokers have diminished oxygen levels in their spinal tissues, which can hinder the healing process.

Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight puts strain on your back muscles. If you're overweight, trimming down can prevent back pain.


Most low back pain, whether acute or chronic, almost always can be treated with traditional Chinese medicine without surgery.

Acupuncture can be effective in treating acute or sudden pain and chronic pain, although it often takes longer to treat chronic pain, according to Schulman. From the Chinese perspective, back pain is an obstruction of "Qi," (pronounced "chee") or the body's own internal energy. Acupuncture regulates the flow of Qi, so chi stagnation doesn't cause pain.

Acupressure is the use of pressure from the fingertips on the acu-points. These are the same points used in Acupuncture, only in Acupuncture very thin needles are used to stimulate the points. In Acupressure each hand stimulates one point, so usually 2 points are held at a time.

Herbs: There are some herbs that can successfully treat low back pain by increasing "Qi," and blood movement in that area. The herbs act not only on the lower back pain are but also on the organ which may be involved in chronic cases.
Acupuncture Provides Long-Term Relief of Low Back Pain
...Acupuncture does not seem to be a suitable treatment modality for neuropathic pain. However, the clinical use of acupuncture is sometimes indicated for the treatment of chronic nociceptive pain...
Acupuncture and Back Pain
...Research has shown that acupuncture causes the body to produce natural steroids and promote the production of natural endorphins...
More Evidence that Acupuncture Relieves Chronic Low Back Pain
... The results of this study demonstrate the lack of lasting benefit from conventional therapies, and the immediate and lasting effect of acupuncture for chronic low back pain. Acupuncture significantly improved the immediate effectiveness of conventional treatment, and its benefits persisted for at least three months. ...
Acupuncture for Back Pain (YACBAC) Trial
... Acupuncture patients also reported a significantly greater reduction in worry about their back pain. In addition the acupuncture service was found to be cost-effective...

What Chinese Herbs Are Used for Back Pain?
... Most Americans have some back discomfort in their lifetime. Back pain is most often caused by a muscle or ligament strain or spasm; a disk problem; spondylosis; or stenosis. Stress can also be a factor...

  Service the San Francisco Bay Area since 1994. Voted the best acupuncturist in Sunnyvale!