How To Beat Back Pain

Dr David Devlin in The Independent offers an explanation for common back pain and advice on how to manage this painful condition. In the article he refers to the recent NICE guidelines that recommend GP’s consider referring patients with back pain for acupuncture. Leeds already offers some NHS funded acupuncture treatment. Read my article on ‘Can you get acupuncture on the NHS’ for more information.

Acupuncture, in my experience, offers a highly effective treatment for back pain and patients should usually expect a reduction or complete alleviation of symptoms and pain after a course of treatment. The number of sessions you may need will depend on factors such as how long you have had the pain (the longer and more chronic the bad back, the more acupuncture you may need) and whether your lifestyle continues to exert pressure on your back.

I often use a combination of massage (using almond oil and often ‘woodlock’, a Chinese muscle rub) and acupuncture. The massage helps to relax the tissues and muscles and the acupuncture can then work on a deeper level. I also often include heat either by means of a therapeutic heat lamp or by using the burning of a Chinese herb called ‘moxa’.

Many patients have benefited from this treatment for their back pain, including Michelle.

“I first went to Caitlin in March 2005 for help with a back injury I had sustained in a horse riding accident. I had been referred to physio after the accident and attended many appointments but wasn’t getting the results I felt I should. Caitlin was providing treatment for my organisation so I was already aware of the benefits of acupressure massage and acupuncture. Within the first few sessions I was feeling the benefits and was back to full mobility within a couple of months after attending weekly treatment sessions.”