Get relief from back pain with acupuncture

If you’ve been noticing niggling back pain while working from home, you’re not alone. Back pain is one of the most common aches for adults. And while painkillers may bring some temporary relief, it does not treat the underlying cause.

‘‘Back pain may be caused through habit – poor posture, being ‘out of shape’ or overweight; or from arthritis; or through incorrect lifting or a burst of physical exertion,’’ says Ben Lian, director of Meridian Health.

‘‘Stretched muscles cause strains and tears, making the spine less stable. In acupuncture terms, we say it affects the ‘meridians’, the channels that deliver blood, nutrients and oxygen to all points of the body. When the flow through these meridians is impaired, the body struggles to repair itself,’’ Mr Lian says.

Mr Lian, who is a fully trained NZ/ACC approved acupuncturist, always takes time to evaluate a patient’s overall health before embarking on any procedure.

‘‘We use acupuncture to speed up tissue healing. Acupuncture stimulates the Qi points, improves blood flow and reduces inflammation. The production of endorphins also improves the immune system and improves your overall feeling of well-being.’’

Western medicine tends to agree. According to the 2013 report from Arthritis Research UK, acupuncture is the most effective form of complementary therapy for treating lower back pain, osteoarthritis and fybromyalgia. And the American Pain Society and American College of Physicians state that acupuncture should be considered for patients with lower back pain when conventional treatment isn’t helping.

‘‘While chronic back pain is unlikely to mend immediately, ongoing treatment can produce effective results.’’

Your acupuncturist will start with a thorough evaluation of the injury or pain source, including your patient history and overall health, before making a decision on the best course of action.

Not sure whether acupuncture is for you? Pop in for a free consultation, chat to the friendly team and have a look around the well-equipped clinic.

Single treatments are $100. For the most cost-effective treatment, you can take advantage of the clinic’s multi-treatment specials, saving $10 per treatment: Receive eight (Personal) acupuncture treatments for $720, or 12 (Family) acupuncture treatments for $1,080.

Meridian Acupuncture Health Clinic is located at 156 Waipuna Rd East, Mt Wellington. ACC-accredited.It’s open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday. Phone (09) 527-0383 or visit www. meridianacupuncture.co.nz