Pain relief for chronic back pains does not only come in the form of tablets, pills, and creams. Alternative medicine has another effective option for you through acupressure. Though acupressure may induce cynical and doubtful reactions, there is a review that documented improved chronic back conditions through the help of acupuncture. So, it literally wouldn't hurt you to try acupuncture, especially if what you're hurting from is a sore back.
Acupressure is the stimulation of pressure points in the body to promote relaxation and restore the balance in the body. Acupressure is based on acupuncture, the difference is that acupuncture uses needles, while acupressure use the fingers and knuckles to apply stimulation. The theory is the pressure points in the body are like the valves that control meridians, which are in turn the pathways of Qi, or the life force that all living beings have. In humans, any irregularity or blockage in the passage of Qi results to illnesses and medical conditions. Through the manipulation and stimulation of these pressure points, the smooth and natural flow of Qi is restored, thus bringing back balance and health to the body.
But even if you don't buy the Qi theory, acupressure has concrete benefits. It helps relax the body, similar to a massage. It also helps promote blood circulation and improves flexibility in the areas targeted. And most important, it also helps relieve pain and stress. At least this is what the survey of the studies on alternative treatment and chronic back pain has found out.
The study was conducted by the Cochrane Collaboration and it compared different alternative medicine treatments and their effects on chronic back pain. The respondents of the study reported decreased pain, improved mobility, and increased flexibility especially with acupressure. Of course, the review did qualify that these are just initial findings and that there's more evidence needed to establish a solid connection. And so, it can't be said conclusively that the improved conditions are because of acupressure alone. Though that may be the case, the improvement from acupressure was better compared with other forms of alternative treatments such as massage and acupuncture. And that says something about the effectiveness of acupressure.
As what the study would suggest, there are benefits, but acupressure is not the cure. What acupressure can do is help in pain relief, increase relaxation, and improve flexibility. But it is not meant that it can make the back pain go away as a medical condition. Acupressure is still alternative medicine and is complementary at best. You can't substitute it for the medical expertise of your doctor.
But, so long as you know the extent acupressure can help your back pain, then you have the right mindset. You can't deny that acupressure can ease you of pain in your back, but don't expect it to be the magic pill, so to speak. Anyway, with back pain or without, the relaxation, improved blood circulation, and stress reduction that acupressure brings are still good enough reasons for you to try acupressure yourself.
