Another Study shows Acupuncture to be effective for Chronic Back Pain...

A new study from this September by the (American) National Institute of Health with 800 participants aged 65 and over. Participants were not restricted from using their normal medical care for back pain. Those receiving acupuncture had 15 treatments over 3 months, and half of them continued maintenance treatments of 6 treatments over the 4th to 6th month. At both the 6 and 12 month assessments, those receiving acupuncture had less pain and more mobility than those who did not have any acupuncture. The acupuncture groups also reported less anxiety.

So these results  confirm a NICE (UK) study a few years ago that recommended acupuncture for chronic pain.

Chronic pain is a broad description of pain which has been persistent for 6 months or more. Often, I see patients coming into the clinic that have had pain for years, have tried ‘everything’ and turn to acupuncture as a last resort. Almost all of my patients end up feeling significantly better within a few weeks, and report less pain, increased mobility and better quality of life.

Similar to the protocol used in the latest study, I normally recommend to new patients that we start with two treatments a week. We continuously review the patient’s progress with the aim of stretching the duration between appointments whilst maintaining progress. Depending on the patient, this process varies. Usually, within a month or two, the patient attends once a week for a few weeks, then once  a fortnight and then on to tri-weekly or monthly appointments. Once the patient is hitting monthly appointments, we are in a maintenance or tune-up stage where we are keeping pain under control and maximising mobility. 

Patients often notice the big improvements by accident - opening a window or door that wasn't possible a few months beforehand. Not feeling pain after a busy day in the garden.

If you are reading this article, and you are dealing with chronic pain or back pain then please get in touch. It’s quite likely that you can significantly improve your quality of life with acupuncture.

I can be contacted directly on 086 4059898 or by email at rory@roryryanacupuncture.ie

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