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Effective Back Pain & Sciatica Treatment
Approximately eighty percent of people have suffered or will suffer from back pain or backaches at some stage in their lives. Thirty-one million Americans suffer from back pain at any given moment. Indeed, this is one of the most prevalent complaints seen in acupuncture, chiropractic, Shiatsu, and other alternative health clinics. There is a difference between the occasional backache and those who chronically suffer from it or have a disc herniation. In modern medicine, backaches are typically treated with medication, painkillers, injections, and surgery in acute cases. Naturally, most people want to avoid these treatments whenever possible. This article aims to explore the most effective natural treatment methods for managing back pain, lumbar disc herniation, and cervical disc herniation.
The Difference Between Backache and Disc Herniation?
There are several reasons for backaches, but generally, they can be divided into two types. One is muscular backaches related to muscles in the back and around the spine. The other is backaches that result from a specific spinal problem, such as a herniated or bulging disc.
Muscular Back Pain
Most of the backaches are usually the result of muscular tension.
A muscle should be flexible, relaxed, and contract when needed to create movement in the body in a healthy state. When a muscle, ligament, or tendon in the back is inflexible, there is constant tension. Poor posture, incorrect movements, a lack of exercise, or exposure to cold or mental stress can cause the spasm. Muscles in this condition will also have a greater chance of cramping. From a medical perspective, a pulled muscle or strain may appear to be a minor injury. However, the pain may be so extreme that it impairs the ability to walk or even stand. In most cases, the back muscle spasm is local and does not spread to other areas.
Two types of muscular backaches
Chronic back pain
Pain that is always in the background at a low intensity. A person can carry a pain like this for many years. With no treatment, such pain can affect the vertebral posture and pressure and might deteriorate with disc herniation and other complications.
Acute back pain
When the pain is sudden and intense, it is referred to as a pulled or strained muscle. This pain is an intense spasm of the muscles; it often affects a person’s mobility and can cause them to stay in bed for a few days. In most cases, this kind of pain lasts a few days and, without receiving treatment, sometimes up to a few weeks.
Acute pain can be alleviated by painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, especially during the first days, if they are bedridden or suffering from intense pain. In cases of repeated sharp back pains or a chronic condition, it is ill-advised to rely on drugs since their impact is not healthy to the body. Some physical treatment, such as acupuncture or chiropractic work, might be necessary.
What is a Disc Herniation?
The vertebrae are a bone structure, and between each, there is a disc. The disc’s purpose is to prevent friction between the vertebrae, and it functions as a shock absorber. The function of a shock absorber is essential in the lower vertebrae, where a person’s body weight is supported.
The cartilage (disc) is composed of two parts: an external component, serving as a casing, and an internal part, which is more liquid-like—a sort of cushion with a liquid gel inside. When a rupture occurs in the case, the gel can leak out, and a condition called a disc herniation is created.
Another spinal pathology is a bulging disc. This condition occurs when the disc remains intact but slips out of place, applying pressure to the nerve. This condition is considered less acute than a disc herniation.
Understanding the meaning of the vertebrae name
The spine is responsible for the posture of our whole body. The spine is comprised of 24 vertebrae:
7 – cervical (neck) vertebrae C1 to C7
12 – thoracic (chest) vertebrae T1 to T12
5 – lumbar (lower back) vertebrae L1 to L5
There is another part called the sacrum, a combination of five vertebrae joined together. The top vertebra is called S1. Most herniated lumbar discs are situated at the lower part of the back: between L4-L5 or L5-S1.
What is Sciatica?
In many cases, people who suffer from a disc herniation do not understand why the disc’s pain is felt along the leg. Inside the spine are the spinal cord and a highly developed nerve system that extends from the spine to the entire body. Nerves that innervate sensations and movements in the whole body go through the gaps between the vertebrae. The herniated disc, which is also between the vertebrae, creates pressure on the nerve. The nerve interprets the stress as pain, and then we perceive it as pain.
Sometimes, the nerve projects to other parts of the body, such as along the leg. The reason is that the same nerve also runs through the leg. The patient may experience pain or paresthesia, characterized by a burning, chilling, tingling, pricking, or numb sensation in the leg, even if there is no apparent issue with the leg. This pain is known as sciatic pain, named after the sciatic nerve that originates from the lower back area and innervates the legs. In the same fashion, projection of pain to the shoulder and along the hand might occur due to cervical disc herniation.
The common symptoms of a back disc herniation include backache, pain radiating down the leg, numbness, paresthesia, cold or hot sensations, weakness, and more. In principle, it is not a life-threatening situation, but it creates pain and discomfort that could disable the person for a few days and even weeks. The onset of sciatic pain is due to various reasons and typically occurs, lasting between a few days and a few weeks without treatment.
Reasons for Sciatica: Herniated or Bulging Disc
Trauma – as a result of a blow or accident.
Poor posture – either an exaggerated spinal curve or no curve at all, characterized by scoliosis.
Life habits – lack of physical exercise, prolonged sitting, smoking, and inflexibility.
Prolonged muscular tension or chronic backache, when untreated, will result in the narrowing of intervertebral gaps and, eventually, a herniated disc.
Strenuous work, prolonged standing, and lifting heavy loads.
Various joint diseases, such as osteoporosis.
Emotional reasons – discussed later in this article.
Treatment for Back Pain and Disc Herniation
Before we start treatment, it is essential to determine the source of the backache. In pain stemming from muscular tension, healing occurs faster than in a disc herniation. In principle, the body cannot repair a herniated disc. The disc will remain less flexible, but with proper treatment and a suitable lifestyle, the person can return to their normal daily activities. Many people live with herniated discs without even being aware of them.
When Should You Consider Surgery for a Disc Herniation?
Sometimes people choose surgery to repair the herniated or bulging disc. It is essential to say that even the various herniated discs do not always restore the back condition. They also carry the risk of causing damage to other discs. The risks involved with surgery are many, and therefore, it is usually recommended to try alternative treatments first. It is essential to remember that surgery does not address issues such as short or poor posture, which can cause problems. Therefore, while surgery may provide relief, there are no guarantees that a separate vertebral disc will not rupture in the future.
When should you consider surgery for a disc herniation? If there is no improvement after 10-15 sessions of acupuncture or any other method, or in a very acute finding in a CT scan.
Another reason for urgent surgery to fix back problems is when there is damage to the spinal cord itself, which might be expressed by an inability to control the orifices and involuntary urination and bowel movement. In such a case, you should go to the emergency room as soon as possible.
The Most Effective Natural Treatment for the Back
The natural treatment for backaches is very effective. It is recommended for people with chronic backaches to undergo corrective treatments because the next stage of aggravation could be a disc herniation.
In a natural treatment for a herniated or bulging disc, the primary goal is to alleviate inflammation and pain, and release the muscles until they no longer experience pain or discomfort. The next advisable course of action is maintenance treatment for the back, combined with the proper lifestyle and various exercises. These could prevent further recurring episodes of back pain, and if more occurred, they would be less intense and shorter in duration.
Acupuncture for Back Pain
Acupuncture is one of the best treatments for both acute and chronic conditions. Backaches and a herniated and bulging disc. It is best to come in for the physician’s diagnosis of the problem’s source.
Acupuncture for backaches is performed at specific points that release muscle tension, reduce inflammation, improve Qi and blood flow to the affected area, and alleviate pain. These points are primarily located in the legs and hands, and sometimes in the back or stomach area. Patients report a sensation of flow when the needle is inserted; it is an experience that indicates an opening of an energetic blockage.
One of the risk factors for disc herniation is smoking because it creates a disturbance in the flow of the small blood vessels to the disc. Therefore, when treating a herniated disc, it is essential to enhance blood flow and energy in the body, enabling the body’s systems to rehabilitate the damaged tissue. In acute disc herniation conditions, it is best to have frequent treatment twice or even three times a week. When the pain is alleviated or ceases, switching to maintenance treatments with less frequency is possible.
Chinese Medicine Diagnosis for Back Pain
In cases of back pain or a herniated disc, the practitioner will examine the underlying cause of the back pain/disc herniation. If it occurred due to improper movement, prolonged sitting, lack of physical activity, poor nutrition, etc., the acupuncturist would examine it according to the principles of Chinese medicine diagnosis. This will involve assessing an imbalance in the internal organs or a meridian that caused the disc herniation or backaches. According to Chinese medicine, the central organ connected to the back is the kidneys, but additional organs, such as the gallbladder, liver, stomach, and bladder, are also involved.
Acupuncture Reducing Inflammation and Spasm
In cases of a herniated disc or severe muscular backache, we often find a significant amount of tension in the back muscles, and reduce inflammation. This tension is the result of a protective spasm, a contraction that the body produces to protect the back, and it is a significant factor in creating backache. In such a case, the acupuncturist will use points that relax the muscles and tendons and instruct the patient to do appropriate stretching exercises. This helps recovery and also prevents future inflammations.
Case Study: Acupuncture for Back Pain
James, 35 years old, came to me after five months of suffering from severe back pain and consuming regular painkillers. A CT scan showed a herniated disc between the vertebrae L4-L5. The pain projected from the lower back to the right leg caused a sensation of paresthesia and pain. James decided to come to me even though he said he was skeptical about the natural treatment, especially acupuncture. He was considering undergoing surgery with his doctor’s advice. Due to the risks that came with the surgery, he decided to give acupuncture a chance. I treated James with Balance Method Acupuncture.
Initially, James indicated the pain level to be 9 out of 10 (very painful). During the first session, this dropped to three by the end of the session. The pain remained low for some time, but when it returned two days later, it was still at a 9. The treatment was done twice a week during the first month. Each session, it would take longer for the pain to return, and its intensity would decrease. After seeing a significant improvement, the frequency of the sessions lowered. I instructed James to perform special exercises throughout his treatment to extend the back muscles and strengthen the abdominal muscles. After a series of 15 James’s ents, James’s condition had almost completely healed. He began swimming twice a week to maintain general health and to continue strengthening his back.
Read more about Balance Method Acupuncture.
Recall Healing – Back Pain and Disc Herniation.
In Recall Healing, we tap into the subconscious emotional source that causes the backaches or the herniated disc. According to the Recall Healing method, every disease is linked to a person’s subconscious. The Recall Healing process for back pain is done through conversation. A session lasts approximately an hour and a half, and typically requires between three and five treatments.
The emotional sources of backaches can be many. The therapist may find that the illness has affected the person’s life from early childhood and their genetic lineage. According to the Recall Healing method, the conflicts existing in the person’s subconscious differ between the pain areas in the neck, middle back, lower back, and pelvis.
Back pain areas and the related emotional conflicts
Neck pain is often associated with feelings of injustice and unfairness.
Middle back pain- would be linked to the conflict that “there is no one I can rely on.”
Lower back pain is generally connected to issues of support, children, giving birth, and sexuality.
In Recall Healing, details are crucial, and numerous potential conflicts related to back pain and each vertebra exist. Therefore, we must examine the various factors linked to that person. Similarly, the medical diagnosis of backaches is crucial to the process’s success, especially in cases involving disc herniation. According to Recall Healing, every vertebra is connected to a different conflict, sometimes multiple. So the disputes would change according to the location of the herniated disc.
Why Do We Get Back Pain?
Any person can experience some of the conflicts mentioned here or others similar to those associated with backaches without necessarily having a back problem. Backache is caused when conflicts are too complex or prolonged, and the person is unable to find a solution. When a person does not find a solution to a conflict, the brain suppresses the conflict in the subconscious and the body, potentially leading to disease.
In Recall Healing, we bring the person’s subconscious mind into their conscious mind. The conversation is accurately directed to the right person’s subconscious and reaches the conflict sources that created the backaches.
Read more about Recall Healing.
Subconscious and Back Pain
When someone raises a conflict from the subconscious to the conscious mind and resolves it, the body is released from holding onto it. The brain then knows it can let go of the holding, reflected in a release of tension in the body. The holding may have been there their whole life, held in the brain by a particular belief in their subconscious. Backache relief is often immediate during a session. In chronic conditions where there is already significant damage to the body’s balance, it is recommended to combine Recall Healing with acupuncture and body stretches.
Sometimes the body becomes accustomed to a particular posture or a state of inactivity. In these cases, it is recommended to work with the body to rebalance it. Although Recall Healing is highly effective, it may not be suitable for everyone. Recall Healing is for individuals who are open and willing to explore sensitive areas and discuss their past.
Tui na for Backaches
Like acupuncture, Tui-na can work on the meridians and acupuncture points in cases of a herniated disc. Tui-na is the Chinese physiotherapy method. Unlike Western physiotherapy or massage, Tui na refers to the Chinese diagnosis and working along the meridians.
Tui na will usually focus on the back and legs. It is recommended to combine Tui na with acupuncture if a person who is afraid of needles can have Tui na treatments for a disc herniation as an alternative.
Shiatsu for Back Pain
Shiatsu treatment is a slower and gentler treatment than Tui na. Some Chinese medicine therapists prefer using Shiatsu, which is actually a Japanese technique. However, it works according to the principles of Chinese medicine. Shiatsu treatment for disc herniation is based on applying pressure to the muscles and skeleton, as well as the energetic sense of its application to the meridians and acupuncture points on the body. The Shiatsu therapist will recognize and treat excess and deficiency points, and assess the patient’s posture, which may be negatively affecting the back. Touching the sensitive vertebrae is not always the right course of action, and one must be careful. Sometimes, leg movements and stretches can alleviate inflammation, eliminating the need to touch the back vertebrae.
Medical Massage Treatment for Disc Herniation
As the name suggests, medical massage is also effective in treating a herniated disc. Medical massage will primarily work locally on the back, legs, and cramped muscles. The massage is performed with oil over the entire body, including back and leg stretches. The massage is also suitable for acute conditions of pain and as a maintenance treatment.
It’s always recommended to ensure the therapist is qualified to practice medical massage and not just through a short massage course. It is best to avoid spa treatments or unprofessional places when seeking treatment for a disc herniation. It is better to choose a skilled massage therapist with sufficient training. Sometimes an unskilled therapist might make the problem worse by applying too much pressure on the herniated disc.
Chiropractic Treatment for Disc Herniation
It is safe to say that treating spinal problems requires the expertise of a chiropractor. Chiropractic treatment can be highly effective in addressing herniated discs, bulging discs, and backaches in general. The chiropractic treatment starts with warming up the area and later manipulating the spine in several ways. The aim is to restore the vertebrae to their original position and reduce pressure on the disc.
There are various chiropractic approaches, ranging from gentler to more aggressive. The chiropractor knows how to tailor the proper treatment to the specific problem of each patient.
A downside of chiropractic treatment is that it can initially cause more pain because of spinal manipulation. It’s essential to combine chiropractic treatment with methods that also help relax the muscles and reduce inflammation. It is recommended to combine chiropractic treatment with massage, Tui na, or acupuncture to also work on the muscles, tendons, and soft tissues. Many chiropractors massage the back or warm up the area with various instruments. This helps to prepare the spine for chiropractic treatment.
Reflexology to Treat Disc Herniation
Reflexology treatment utilizes pressure points in the feet to affect the entire body. It is considered an effective treatment for back problems and disc herniation in reducing inflammation and relaxing muscles in the back. The reflexology treatment for disc herniation addresses all body systems related to the issue and helps restore harmony. The treatment is relatively pain-free. There is no need to touch the back itself if it is susceptible to the touch.
We hope this article has helped inform you about natural ways to treat your back pain or similar issues. We wish you a full and speedy recovery!
