Many people suffer from the chronic annoyance of back pain, but for some this pain is so debilitating it can prevent them from working and enjoying day to day activities.
A complementary regimen of chiropractic care and Chinese medicine can be a very effective combination to assist the body in overcoming back pain, whether from a chronic condition or from an acute injury.
Chiropractic medicine views back pain as often resulting from misalignments of vertebrae. These misalignments are called subluxations. Subluxations cause the nerves in the area to become irritated or inflamed. This, in turn, causes the muscles to spasm. The muscle spasming tends to maintain the misalignment of the vertebrae. Traditional Chiropractic relies on gentle manipulation to realign the subluxated vertebrae, thus breaking this vicious cycle.
If the pain is a chronic condition, recurrent, or from a non-traumatic cause, the larger postural support muscles need to be evaluated in order to strengthen any that are weak. Sometimes even more important is to prescribe rehabilitative exercises to sharpen up the ability of the smaller muscles that move the individual vertebrae. These smaller muscles must be able to respond quickly and accurately enough to keep bones from misaligning over and over again.
Chinese medicine will not cure a structural dysfunction (it won¹t shrink a herniated disc, for example), but it is very effective at reducing the level of pain and helping the body with its own natural healing mechanisms. Traditional Chinese medicine combines the use of acupuncture, herbs, Tuina (a massage technique), and movement exercises known as Tai Chi or Qi Gong to rid the body of pain.
Chinese treatment focuses on regulating the flow of qi (the energy which can be described as one¹s life force) throughout the body. Back pain can be caused from a deficiency of qi — meaning there is not enough energy to allow for smooth flow, or a stagnation of qi — meaning the energy simply gets stuck.
When the qi is deficient there may be a chronic dull backache along with weakness and fatigue. Many qi deficient people may also have knee pain as well as back pain. Treatment is focused on building up the level of qi in the body so that it can flow smoothly.
A stagnation of qi can cause a sharp acute pain (like that experienced from a bulging or herniated disc) or a radiating pain like sciatica. Acupuncture and Tuina massage are both very effective at moving the qi when there is stagnation.
Acupuncture is the insertion of hair thin needles at specific points around the body. These points are located along lines known as meridians which are pathways of energy. Chinese doctors have spent over two thousand years mapping out the locations of these points, and modern electromagnetic research confirms their locations. The insertion of acupuncture needles is virtually painless and most people find acupuncture treatment to be quite relaxing.
In cases of back pain, acupuncture points on the back are used as well as points in other regions of the body such as the hands and ankle that are connected to the back through the meridian system.
The combination of Chiropractic and Chinese medicine can be extremely powerful when used together. While acupuncture may not realign vertebral subluxations, it can be very effective at reestablishing the balance of energy in the area. This can reduce inflammation, swelling and spasming. This combined with a Chiropractic adjustment is more likely to quickly and permanently break the vicious cycle of pain and help maintain the correct vertebral alignment.
...and the Chinese Medicine practice of Antonia Balfour, L.Ac.
Offering holistic solutions for the treatment of:
• Pain
• Skin Conditions
• Women's Health and
• Holistic Cancer Support
A Holistic Approach to Eradicating Back Pain
A complementary regimen of chiropractic care and Chinese medicine can be a very effective combination to assist the body in overcoming back pain, whether from a chronic condition or from an acute injury.
Chiropractic medicine views back pain as often resulting from misalignments of vertebrae. These misalignments are called subluxations. Subluxations cause the nerves in the area to become irritated or inflamed. This, in turn, causes the muscles to spasm. The muscle spasming tends to maintain the misalignment of the vertebrae. Traditional Chiropractic relies on gentle manipulation to realign the subluxated vertebrae, thus breaking this vicious cycle.
If the pain is a chronic condition, recurrent, or from a non-traumatic cause, the larger postural support muscles need to be evaluated in order to strengthen any that are weak. Sometimes even more important is to prescribe rehabilitative exercises to sharpen up the ability of the smaller muscles that move the individual vertebrae. These smaller muscles must be able to respond quickly and accurately enough to keep bones from misaligning over and over again.
Chinese medicine will not cure a structural dysfunction (it won¹t shrink a herniated disc, for example), but it is very effective at reducing the level of pain and helping the body with its own natural healing mechanisms. Traditional Chinese medicine combines the use of acupuncture, herbs, Tuina (a massage technique), and movement exercises known as Tai Chi or Qi Gong to rid the body of pain.
Chinese treatment focuses on regulating the flow of qi (the energy which can be described as one¹s life force) throughout the body. Back pain can be caused from a deficiency of qi — meaning there is not enough energy to allow for smooth flow, or a stagnation of qi — meaning the energy simply gets stuck.
When the qi is deficient there may be a chronic dull backache along with weakness and fatigue. Many qi deficient people may also have knee pain as well as back pain. Treatment is focused on building up the level of qi in the body so that it can flow smoothly.
A stagnation of qi can cause a sharp acute pain (like that experienced from a bulging or herniated disc) or a radiating pain like sciatica. Acupuncture and Tuina massage are both very effective at moving the qi when there is stagnation.
Acupuncture is the insertion of hair thin needles at specific points around the body. These points are located along lines known as meridians which are pathways of energy. Chinese doctors have spent over two thousand years mapping out the locations of these points, and modern electromagnetic research confirms their locations. The insertion of acupuncture needles is virtually painless and most people find acupuncture treatment to be quite relaxing.
In cases of back pain, acupuncture points on the back are used as well as points in other regions of the body such as the hands and ankle that are connected to the back through the meridian system.
The combination of Chiropractic and Chinese medicine can be extremely powerful when used together. While acupuncture may not realign vertebral subluxations, it can be very effective at reestablishing the balance of energy in the area. This can reduce inflammation, swelling and spasming. This combined with a Chiropractic adjustment is more likely to quickly and permanently break the vicious cycle of pain and help maintain the correct vertebral alignment.
Welcome to Oasis Palisades…
...and the Chinese Medicine practice of Antonia Balfour, L.Ac.
Offering holistic solutions for the treatment of:
• Pain
• Skin Conditions
• Women's Health and
• Holistic Cancer Support