Back Pain

The most commonly reason acupuncture is sought after and there is a reason why some insurances cover it exclusively. Something about being bi-pedal puts quite a strain on our backs, add to that desk work, sedentary lifestyles, overwork, excessive stress and worry, lack of stretching and body and postural awareness; there’s many understandable reasons you back may be bothering you. Poor postural patterns lead to strains, sometimes called repetitive strain injuries, that’s why it’s a common experience to have the same pain come and go in the same places. Acupuncture and other modalities provide what is sometimes thought of as a ‘melting,’ pain relief and relaxation to the muscles.

Palpation to find the points of pain and to release them is commonly the method for treating back pain. Relief usually comes immediately the way it does with a deep tissue massage, and may feel sore for a few days and require water to flush out toxins released as muscles let go of waste and rebuild healthy tissues. If you are new to acupuncture you might want to start with having your back worked on because it is the least sensitive part of the body. You may try the paperclip test if you haven’t already, you will need the help of a partner to test this. Get a paper clip and bend it until there are 2 prongs, shut your eyes as your partner touches both prongs to your hand, then your arm, then forearm - can you feel both? Now try it on your back, can you feel both? That’s a little exercise that may help ease acupuncture anxiety and barrier to trying it. Other modalities offered at Sitting Swan can be highly effective too at relieving back pain and releasing tension.

Inquire or read up on massage, tuna, and cupping. These can be used in after the acupuncture treatment or as stand alone appointments if that is your preference.