Integrative Acupuncture Center

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How long does acupuncture take to work for back pain?

October 13, 2020 By Joshua Goldstein, Ridgewood Acupuncturist

Clocks in a pile
How long does it take for acupuncture to treat your back pain?

How long does acupuncture take to work for back pain?

You might be contemplating using acupuncture for lower back pain and want to know how long does acupuncture take to work for back pain? Are you suffering from a herniated disc, lumbar spinal stenosis, or sciatica? The question of how long does acupuncture take to work for back pain?  The question of “how long does it take” critical when you are trying to decide if you should try acupuncture for your back pain.

The Straight Leg Check 

Before you get treated for acupuncture, a physical exam should be done to check your lower back. One of the tests used is the straight leg raising test. The straight leg raising test shows where the problem is in your lower back.   As the practitioner lifts the leg if you feel pain early on in your lower back, at around 20 degrees, it is a problem related to the 5th and 4th lumbar vertebrae. If the pain is felt as the leg is raised further up, from 30 to 60 degrees, then the pain relates to the upper lumbar vertebrae.   There are five vertebrae in the lower back. The last one is the fifth vertebrae in the lower back. If you are a lower back sufferer and you’ve had an MRI you are very aware of which vertebrae and nerves are affected.  Based upon how high you raise the leg and where the pain is felt, you will be able to isolate the exact vertebrae which and related nerves are affected by the pain. So the test will tell us which nerve is affected by the raising of the leg.

Why is this important?

When raising the leg there should not feel any nerve pain down the buttock, leg or felt into the foot at all.  If you do feel the pain, this test, among others, pin-points which vertebrae is affected. If you do feel the pain in the leg this indicates that there is a disc, a bone, or a nerve  problem affecting the nerves in the lower back.

Testing Before and Testing After With the Straight Leg Check

Testing the nerve roots in the back is usually done before treatment. However, the same test can be done after the acupuncture treatment to test the nerves in the lower back.  This will help assess how well you did with treatment! The key issue is to find out if there is less pain! This straight leg raising can be done again and tested to see if there is no pain when performing the movement.  So raising the leg before treatment and raising the leg after treatment is a quick way of comparison to determine if the acupuncture has worked! Walking around the treatment room after the visit will tell as well, but this is an objective sign that will display if there is less nerve irritation and less inflamed after the treatment.

Short Term Pain Relief Versus Long Term Pain Relief

When asking how long does acupuncture take to work on back pain? We have to differentiate between short-term pain relief and long-term pain relief. Most people want to have long term relief. Initially, acupuncture treatments for severe lower back pain are short lived. The pain relief will last a few hours up to three days.  As the treatments progress, the frequency of the pain and the intensity of pain does start to decrease and the treatments last longer.

Frequency of Acupuncture Treatment is really key for Severe Pain   

So how long does acupuncture take to work for back pain?  Frequency of treatment is the key here. There is one rule that helps you get out of pain.

“Don’t wait for your pain to return to the original levels before getting treated again”

man in a towel facing window
I know you want to get back to your old self. Knowing what to expect from acupuncture treatment is helpful in understanding the process.

As each visit reduces your back pain, at some point of frequent treatment the pain starts to subside and become less intense. You will start to feel more confident in moving and in your ability to do things.   The pain you are feeling will feel less intense and the frequency that pain is experienced is will be reduced as well.  When you can stand up and realize the pain is much less or gone, you start to see the wisdom that treatment frequency

Acupuncture does require more than one visit for severe pain.  If you are nursing treatments once a week, you will need longer time to get treated. If you treat two or three times a week you in essence triple your results so we are talking weeks not months! The frequency does factor in to the question of “how long”?  Acupuncture pushes and prods your body into pain relief, and this takes more than one treatment.

Many people expect one treatment to yield 100% results. However, would you settle for no pain or little pain after a series of treatments? The long view gets you out of pain permanently. The individual treatments can get you immediate relief in some cases. So looking at this a small process is what it will take to get you out of pain. But results is what it is all about.

So how long does acupuncture take to work for back pain? Short term relief can be seen immediately. Long term relief can be seen after several visits and the frequency of the visits does matter. I know you want to get rid of your pain as soon as possible. But knowing the process will help you navigate the treatment.

Are you looking for pain relief? Then look for someone with over 20 years of experience, compassion and a real desire to see you succeed? Call now to schedule your consult and stop suffering. My acupuncture office is located in Ridgewood, New Jersey, in Bergen County.  I would be happy to try and help you! Call 201-444-7150 or email me at integrativeacupuncturecenter@gmail.com.

You may also want to read more here:

https://acupunctureyes.com/about-joshua-goldstein/

https://acupunctureyes.com/how-acupuncture-works-for-lower-back-pain-4-effects-on-treating-lower-back-pain/

https://acupunctureyes.com/contact/

Filed Under: Pain Tagged With: acupuncture, acupuncture and back pain Midland Park, acupuncture and back pain Ramsey, acupuncture and back pain ridgewood nj, Acupuncture and Pain Fair Lawn, how long does acupuncture take, lower back pain

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Testimonials

I returned to this office for pain related to a sports injury. I had pain in the upper body region from boxing and sparing and was not getting relief from the medications prescribed to me from the orthopedist. My most recent injury was preventing me from even raising my arm to brush my teeth as well… Read more
Donna, Haworth, NJ
I had an L-5 fracture in my back, a broken ankle and arthritis in both ankles. Pain also existed in my lower back and ankles. I was referred to Integrative Acupuncture from my brother, who is a chiropractor, and through his website. Since seeing Joshua, my sleeping is 80% better. My lower back pain … Read more
Jim, Ridgewood, NJ
I cannot begin to thank Joshua enough for his help. My experience and results with him were wonderful. He is not focused on just helping you ameliorate your specific problems, but he also looks at everything else going on with your body rather than just one piece of you. He genuinely wants to help y… Read more
Dee, Hewitt, NJ
When I first came into see Joshua, I had pain in my foot from running. Previously, I had tried icing, rest, and stretching. When I tried the services from Integrative Acupuncture Center, I noticed the results were incredibly helpful. After just two sessions all pain in the targeted area was gone and… Read more
Rosesann, Ramsey, NJ
I have suffered from headaches all of my life between four to five times per week. I have gone to physicians and have only been prescribed medications for my headaches. The results were always the same, and I always felt foggy due to the medication. I was referred to Joshua’s office through a frie… Read more
Anthony, Paramus, NJ
My experience with him was phenomenal. He [Joshua Goldstein] is very good at what he does and he has a very well rounded approach to helping. I would recommend him to anyone, especially if they suffer from stress or aches.
Anastasia, Fairlawn, NJ
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Integrative Acupuncture Center
69 West Ridgewood Avenue
Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450
Phone: 201.444.7150

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