Back Pain

8 out of 10 of us will experience back pain at some point in our lives. Most cases are mild to moderate and resolve of their own accord within days or weeks. Acute back pain (lasting 3 days to 3 weeks) may be due to sports injury, car accident, or other spinal stress. Some cases become chronic, persisting for months or even years and may be the result of trauma or arthritis.

Acupuncture works directly on the nerves and muscles in the body to release spasms and congestion. Treatment increases blood flow to the tissues infusing them with oxygen and nerve inflammation is reduced.

Will Acupuncture help MY Back Pain?

If your pain is due to a muscle spasm or tight muscles, acupuncture will probably provide complete and lasting relief. If your pain is due to degenerative changes in the spine, like osteoarthritis or prolapsed disc, acupuncture will provide significant relief, but treatment may be required on a periodic basis to maintain the benefit.

In either case, acupuncture represents an extremely safe alternative to continued medication and is free from side effects. Each person is different; please contact me for a personalized evaluation to determine how your condition will benefit from treatment.

Severe or Chronic Back Pain

When back pain does not resolve on its own or with simple intervention, there may be a more severe underlying problem. You will need an x-ray and possibly an MRI to determine the exact cause of your pain. There may be a problem with inter-vertebral discs, or bony changes in the spine. Any neurological changes like numbness, weakness, or tingling would indicate pressure on a nerve root.

If you are having progressive loss of strength in your arms or legs, or bowel and bladder changes, consult your doctor immediately as you could suffer irreversible nerve damage without intervention. Most patients with back pain recover without residual functional loss.

Recurring back pain resulting from improper body mechanics or other non-traumatic causes is often preventable. Pay attention to your work environment, your posture, and daily activities that put your back at risk. Follow exercise routines that don't jolt or strain the back, maintaining correct posture and lifting objects properly can help prevent injuries.

Acupuncture and Fertility

I seem to be treating an ever increasing number of people with fertility issues. Whether we are leaving it later to start a family too wrapped up in a stressful life or over exposed to xeno oestrogens, more people are arriving at my practise unhappy at the length of time it seems to be taking to conceive.

Becoming pregnant is not always straightforward. It involves a delicate synchronisation of physical, psychological and emotional factors. It is the acupuncturist’s aim to keep you as relaxed, enriched and empowered throughout this potentially stressful journey.

Although it’s mainly women who seek treatment, in many cases their men would benefit from a short course of treatment, too. The quality and vitality of the semen can be improved, even if your sperm count was satisfactory. And just to reassure men, the acupuncture needles are mainly placed into the arms, legs and back. If loose clothing is worn, there’s even no need to get undressed!

I recommend people to try acupuncture before considering assisted conception techniques (IVF, IUI, ICSI etc.)You will be treated according to your unique differential diagnosis and may well conceive whilst on the waiting list to see a consultant. One of my patients describes her experience:

"At the end of 2006 I had a missed-miscarriage and then problems with the resulting evacuation procedure. Finally I was given the all clear and told I would have no trouble conceiving again, but six months later I wasn't pregnant and felt that I wanted some help other than what was available through my GP. I had heard great things about acupuncture from a friend who also had fertility concerns and so looked for a registered practitioner who specialised in this area. As a result I got in contact with Brendagh and within two months I was pregnant. Not only do I believe that seeing Brendagh helped my body regarding fertility, but being a long-term asthmatic, I have also found acupuncture to be hugely beneficial in this area."

Mrs P.T.

Clevedon

If, however you have already begun an assisted conception cycle, acupuncture can work effectively alongside this to increase your chances of conception. If you have had a number of unsuccessful assisted cycles, the reason why you are not yet pregnant may lie outside the scope of western medicine. Acupuncture, with its oriental perspective, may provide the key to resolving recurrent miscarriage, polycystic ovary syndrome, advancing maternal age, and abdominal congestion (endometriosis, fibroids, tubal obstruction, etc.) Every person’s circumstances are unique. Guidance may be suggested in terms of nutrition, exercise and lifestyle.

I’m still surprised at how many women consider their periods as “normal” despite headaches, sore breasts, abdominal pain, clotting, dribbling or breakthrough bleeding. These are all signs of minor disharmonies that could be holding up your happy event. If you chart your daily temperature, bring this along to your consultation, as it’s a valuable diagnostic tool.