Back pain in Wokingham

Back pain is a common complaint characterised by local or referred pain at the base of the lower back, which can significantly affect day-to-day life. In 1998, 40% of UK adults reported suffering from back pain lasting more than one day in the previous 12 months, with nearly 40% consulting their GP and around 10% seeking complementary therapies such as acupuncture.

Causes of back pain

In western medical terms, lower back pain can be caused by a sprain, strain, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, a neoplasm or a prolapsed intervertebral disc. From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), lower back pain arises from trauma leading to the stagnation of Qi and Blood, invasion by Cold, Wind and Damp, or a deficiency of Kidney Qi.

As a general rule, lower lumbar pain is closely associated with the Kidney in TCM. These conditions can be divided into excess or deficient syndromes. Cold and Damp invasion is an excessive disorder resulting in Qi and Blood stagnation, while Kidney Qi deficiency is a deficient syndrome. In all cases the end result is stagnation of Qi and Blood, which causes pain.

Acupuncture for lower back pain

The mechanisms of acupuncture analgesia were first identified by Dr Pomeranz, who discovered that acupuncture stimulation causes the release of endorphins from the pituitary gland after approximately 30 minutes. The initial stimulation of the acupuncture point (‘de Qi’) triggers changes through the meridian network, which are transmitted as DC-current changes along pathways throughout the glial network, leading to both neurochemical and action-potential changes in the brain.

Acupuncture can help back pain by:

• Providing pain relief by stimulating nerves in muscles and other tissues, leading to endorphin release and changes in how the brain processes pain signals from the spinal cord
• Reducing inflammation
• Improving muscle stiffness and joint mobility, aiding dispersal of swelling and reducing reliance on medication
• Offering a cost-effective treatment option over the longer term
• Improving outcomes when used alongside conventional treatments such as rehabilitation exercises

How does acupuncture relieve back pain?

The animated video below explains how acupuncture relieves back pain.

Our back pain acupuncturist

Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto BM (Beijing), BSc (Hons) TCM, MBAcC, MATCM, MAAC

Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto has been treating lower back pain for over 20 years and has an excellent success rate in resolving both acute and chronic back problems.

Dr (TCM) D'Alberto graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine from Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in China, completing a full-time, five-year degree programme including six months of clinical internship at two of Beijing's largest hospitals.