Back pain can be debilitating and even life-wrecking. For many sufferers (and even many doctors), its causes and cures can seem mysterious. Sifting through the medical literature and research on back pain and investigating the claims of what does and doesn't work can be overwhelming. Does acupuncture work? Chiropractic? Surgery? When in pain, trying to navigate all of this can leave a person in a state of confusion, overwhelm, and hopelessness.
I've been there.
More than 20 years ago, I had excruciating, debilitating low back and neck pain. It put me flat on my back repeatedly and unable to work for days at a time. And it was worsening over time, which was terrifying because I was only in my twenties. I went to multiple chiropractors and eventually wound up in the emergency room, where I sat writhing in pain for over 4 hours. Almost in tears, I was finally examined, but for literally less than a minute. The doctor pressed on top of my head and then a couple areas on my neck and asked if it hurt. She then said she would write a prescription for pain killers and muscle relaxers. "4 hours for that?!" I thought as I walked out dazed, still in severe pain. That's the best modern medicine could do? I was one part stunned, one part angry, and one giant part still miserable.
I'm grateful for that ordeal now.
That frustrating experience is a big part of what pushed me down a path to understanding, and eventually treating, the actual cause of my pain. But it wasn't easy to find the answers. I wound up going to acupuncture school as well as independently studying with multiple 'alternative' medical doctors, acupuncturists, chiropractors, psychologists, and even dentists (another article on that soon).
My particular back and neck pain was complex. It involved old sports injuries, car accidents, heavy metal toxicity, mineral and nutritional deficiencies, organ deficiencies, gut issues, dental issues, and even unresolved emotions. If there was a reason you could have back pain, I pretty much had it. All of these problems were creating layers of inflammation, weakness, and tension patterns in my body that were making me miserable with pain and depressed.
But like with my emergency room ordeal, this trial became a great blessing and teacher for me. Having to figure out each one of these pieces to my own pain puzzle pushed me to gain a much deeper understanding of why* I was having pain and how to treat the underlying causes rather than just mask them. This very personal education would then enable me to much more efficiently and effectively understand and help my patients' particular pain situations and guide them to relief and deeper health.
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine were an essential and core part of my getting well. In the hands of a properly trained and experienced practitioner, Acupuncture remains one of the top therapies in resolving back and neck pain. Acupuncture addresses the way the nervous system, blood, and lymph flow into specific areas. In the case of pain, there is some disruption in this flow. Acupuncture theory (both ancient and modern theories) teaches to track down the 'root' of the pain, while also addressing the 'branch,' meaning symptoms and the pain itself. This highly developed system has been around for more than 2000 years for a reason: It works.
In my particular case, heavy metal detoxification was also a major part of getting well. My entire system was inflamed from toxic metal exposure (This condition is more common than one might think). It would take careful and wise detoxification approaches to coax these dastardly substances out of my system and stop the endless cycles of inflammation.
Instead of continuing to suffer and having surgery (as was suggested to me at the time), my back and neck got better and better as I figured out and addressed each layer of the mess. Now, more than 20 years after being repeatedly bed-ridden and hopeless about my future, I am happy and grateful to say that my neck and low back are more flexible, functional and pain free than ever. I deadlift, swing kettlebells, hike, and even deep squat with ease. I am no longer depressed about the idea of having to live with pain for the rest of my life because "it runs in the family."
If you are suffering with neck or back pain, don't settle for the thinking that "it's just part of life" or "getting old." Pain is a signal that something isn't right. Ignoring it or 'living with it' is not a good strategy. Acupuncture and complementary therapies and remedies can help address the root causes of your problems and return your body to a state of pain-free function.
If you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment, call or text 314.934.0477 or email below.
I've been there.
More than 20 years ago, I had excruciating, debilitating low back and neck pain. It put me flat on my back repeatedly and unable to work for days at a time. And it was worsening over time, which was terrifying because I was only in my twenties. I went to multiple chiropractors and eventually wound up in the emergency room, where I sat writhing in pain for over 4 hours. Almost in tears, I was finally examined, but for literally less than a minute. The doctor pressed on top of my head and then a couple areas on my neck and asked if it hurt. She then said she would write a prescription for pain killers and muscle relaxers. "4 hours for that?!" I thought as I walked out dazed, still in severe pain. That's the best modern medicine could do? I was one part stunned, one part angry, and one giant part still miserable.
I'm grateful for that ordeal now.
That frustrating experience is a big part of what pushed me down a path to understanding, and eventually treating, the actual cause of my pain. But it wasn't easy to find the answers. I wound up going to acupuncture school as well as independently studying with multiple 'alternative' medical doctors, acupuncturists, chiropractors, psychologists, and even dentists (another article on that soon).
My particular back and neck pain was complex. It involved old sports injuries, car accidents, heavy metal toxicity, mineral and nutritional deficiencies, organ deficiencies, gut issues, dental issues, and even unresolved emotions. If there was a reason you could have back pain, I pretty much had it. All of these problems were creating layers of inflammation, weakness, and tension patterns in my body that were making me miserable with pain and depressed.
But like with my emergency room ordeal, this trial became a great blessing and teacher for me. Having to figure out each one of these pieces to my own pain puzzle pushed me to gain a much deeper understanding of why* I was having pain and how to treat the underlying causes rather than just mask them. This very personal education would then enable me to much more efficiently and effectively understand and help my patients' particular pain situations and guide them to relief and deeper health.
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine were an essential and core part of my getting well. In the hands of a properly trained and experienced practitioner, Acupuncture remains one of the top therapies in resolving back and neck pain. Acupuncture addresses the way the nervous system, blood, and lymph flow into specific areas. In the case of pain, there is some disruption in this flow. Acupuncture theory (both ancient and modern theories) teaches to track down the 'root' of the pain, while also addressing the 'branch,' meaning symptoms and the pain itself. This highly developed system has been around for more than 2000 years for a reason: It works.
In my particular case, heavy metal detoxification was also a major part of getting well. My entire system was inflamed from toxic metal exposure (This condition is more common than one might think). It would take careful and wise detoxification approaches to coax these dastardly substances out of my system and stop the endless cycles of inflammation.
Instead of continuing to suffer and having surgery (as was suggested to me at the time), my back and neck got better and better as I figured out and addressed each layer of the mess. Now, more than 20 years after being repeatedly bed-ridden and hopeless about my future, I am happy and grateful to say that my neck and low back are more flexible, functional and pain free than ever. I deadlift, swing kettlebells, hike, and even deep squat with ease. I am no longer depressed about the idea of having to live with pain for the rest of my life because "it runs in the family."
If you are suffering with neck or back pain, don't settle for the thinking that "it's just part of life" or "getting old." Pain is a signal that something isn't right. Ignoring it or 'living with it' is not a good strategy. Acupuncture and complementary therapies and remedies can help address the root causes of your problems and return your body to a state of pain-free function.
If you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment, call or text 314.934.0477 or email below.
RSS Feed