Unfortunately, most of us have suffered from lower back pain at some point in our lives. It can be debilitating and is the second most common reason for doctor’s visits. There are many causes of lower back pain that range from injuries and fractures to the anatomical structures, lumbar spine degeneration, disc herniation, repetitive actions, ergonomic factors, sports activities…….and the list goes on. The bottom line is, when it rears its ugly head, it is a disruption to our lives that we want fast relief from!
Today, let’s talk about spinal stenosis as a common cause of back pain. Spinal stenosis is caused by a thickening of the spinal ligaments along with a narrowing of the spinal canal. This may cause pain and/or numbness, due to compression of the spinal nerve roots in the lumbar spine. Lumbar stenosis can produce symptoms similar to sciatica when the individual moves or becomes active. This can result in tingling, weakness, or numbness that radiates down into the buttocks and legs. It may also be accompanied by bone spurs, or herniated discs.
Mainstream treatment modalities for lumbar pain caused by spinal stenosis includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioid analgesics, corticosteroids, physical therapy, and surgery. Diagnosis is usually confirmed through imaging techniques such as X-rays, MRI, and/or CT scan. While these treatments may be helpful and needed for immediate pain relief, often times they don’t address the root issue. Traditional Chinese Medicine can be used to address both the branch (pain sensations) and the root (the underlying cause of the stenosis). Herbal patches, applied to the area of pain, can help in addressing the root cause by increasing local blood flow, lymphatic circulation, and decreasing inflammation. These herbal patches often contain myrrh (Mo Yao), frankincense (Ru Xiang), Himalayan teasel root (Xu Duan), Two-toothed achranthes root (Niu Xi), and many other healing herbs.
The use of herbal patches, along with consumption of herbal therapy and regular acupuncture treatments can bring about significant improvements. At Ancient Spring Acupuncture you can find herbal patches, pain salves, herbal therapy, acupuncture, tui-na, and cupping.
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