Understanding Back Pain
There is a saying in Chinese medicine, “If there is free flow, there is no pain; if there is pain, there is a lack of free flow.”
In the case of your back pain, the “free flow” refers to the ability of your blood to circulate as intended. When your blood circulation is working properly, there is no pain. And, when pain is present, we can take it as a given that there is some kind of blockage to the circulatory system.
This may sound foreign or exotic but consider that a properly working muscle produces lactic acid as a normal byproduct of extended contraction. This lactic acid (along with other normal metabolic byproducts) is typically taken away from the muscle cells in your blood. Your blood goes from the large veins into a series of smaller and smaller vessels to get into the muscles of your back in order to clear that lactic acid and other waste products away from the muscle cells and transport them over to the liver or kidneys for filtration.
When this system works properly, there is no pain in the muscle. You can contract for minutes at a time without discomfort. However, if something prevents the free flow of blood into the muscle tissue, that lactic acid will build up along the cell walls with no way to get out. And as the muscle keeps working, more lactic acid will be produced. Eventually, a pain signal will be generated to let your brain know that there is an issue that needs to be addressed.
This is one of the reasons why you can’t squeeze your muscles indefinitely. When the muscle is squeezed, those smaller blood vessels are obstructed and they can’t reach all of the muscle tissue to clear away the lactic acid. Over time the acid collects until the muscles feel sore, and then painful until you have no choice but to relax and let your blood clear out that waste.
So if the question is, “why does my back hurt?” the short answer is because of a blockage to the free flow of blood through the area.
But what is causing this blockage?
In over 15 years of experience treating back pain, I have come to recognise 4 main causes. Here is a brief rundown of each:
Obstruction. This includes car accidents, slips, falls, and other traumas that lead to broken blood vessels and torn tissue. The reason for the pain is fairly obvious here so there is no need to dwell on it for too long. But it can be helpful to frame this pain in terms of obstruction to the free flow because then the goal of treatment becomes clear right away.
Repetitive strain. This is an obstruction to free flow caused by the overuse of the muscle. Good examples are poor posture while sitting at a computer, or continually lifting heavy objects. The mechanism of action is the same as obstruction, but repetitive strain deserves its own category because often the motion that is causing the obstruction can't realistically be avoided. For example, a new parent is going to pick up their child continuously, whether that parent has back pain or not. So the treatment strategy for repetitive strain injuries typically needs to be adjusted to focus more on pain management than on ending pain permanently.
External Invasion. This is a concept that is particular to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), where the wind can blow environmental forces (cold, heat, dampness, etc.) into your body causing stagnation and therefore pain. If you have ever slept next to an air conditioner and woken up with a stiff neck, or if you have arthritic joints that ache in damp weather, you have directly experienced external invasion.
Qi or blood deficiency. We have spoken a lot about blood and its role in keeping your muscles healthy and pain-free. In TCM, we have a separate name for the physical blood that performs these actions and another name for the motive force that moves the blood through the veins so that the actions can be performed. That motive force is called Qi. In TCM terms, the difference between a living and dead body is the presence of Qi. There is still physical blood in the dead body (at least for a little while) but there is no life, no motive force, no Qi. The reason this matters is because if there is not enough Qi or blood present in your lower back, you will have pain. Causes of Qi and blood deficiency include dietary issues, constitutional deficiencies, lack of sleep, drug overuse, chronic illness, and more.
SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE:
Research shows acupuncture to be a cost-effective way to treat pain with no risk for the patient.
One study of 18,000 patients found acupuncture to be helpful for many pain conditions, including knee osteoarthritis. In addition to promoting an anti-inflammatory effect, studies show that acupuncture releases endogenous opioid endorphins (the body’s natural pain-relieving chemicals).
A research analysis undertaken by Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts has found that acupuncture is effective for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, low back pain, and fibromyalgia. They add that there is considerable evidence that acupuncture produces pain relieving effects by stimulating nerves that trigger the body’s natural opioid systems.
Hospitals like New York’s Mount Sinai are now incorporating acupuncture into patient’s pain management plans.
SAY NO TO OPIOIDS
Today, more than ever, it’s important to look beyond chronic pain medicine — especially opioids — for solutions. Now with the medical profession looking to find drug-free approaches to pain management (in the light of the dangers of opioids and opioid addiction - the powerful pain medications that includes codeine, morphine, OxyContin, Percocet and Endone), isn’t it time to embrace natural alternatives?
Cortisone and steroid injections have their place but should not be used regularly. The Mayo Clinic suggests no more than 3-4 times per year at most. Repeated usage thins the skin and thins the bones, leading to osteoporosis.
How To Get Started
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Initial Treatment and Consultation
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Doctor of Chinese Medicine,
Registered Acupuncturist AHPRA
Yin Studio:
Founded in 2006 by Cathy Bell, Yin Studio has become a sought-after health and wellness clinic, known for its warm, inviting atmosphere and sincere, compassionate care for its patients.
Cathy Bell provides results-oriented, natural wellness care for people of all ages. Her goal with each patient is a long-term, self-sustained shift in core factors that determine health and wellness. These core factors bridge all levels of being — physical, psychological, even spiritual.
My mission is simple: To support YOUR health and goals, and help you make the most of them. Whether you want to complement your conventional medical treatments with natural support, or go with a 100% natural solution, I do my best to help you achieve the best outcome possible. Treatments are based on getting results as quickly and efficiently as possible. Results matter, and I am proud of a proven history of positive outcomes.
Your body’s natural healing intelligence never forgets how to restore balance and vitality to every cell, tissue, and organ. All you have to do is give it the right support. At Yin Studio you are an active participant in the healing process. You will be educated on the proper way to get your healing system back on track via a targeted, customised treatment plan that will include one or more of the following: acupuncture, herbs, food energetics, mindfulness techniques.