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Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Back Pain Relief

When back pain is hard to control, people sometimes turn to treatments outside of mainstream medicine for relief. Here's what you need to know about complementary and alternative treatments for back pain.

Acupuncture. A key component of Chinese traditional medicine, acupuncture involves inserting thin needles at particular points on the body. According to Chinese theory, stimulating the points (called acupoints) can correct the flow of essential life energy called qi (pronounced "chee") to optimize health or block pain. Western doctors believe acupuncture more likely works by prompting the body to release pain-relieving substances called endorphins.
A National Institutes of Health (NIH) panel concluded that acupuncture could help in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions, such as back pain and even fibromyalgia, without the side effects of medications.

Learn more about acupuncture from Arthritis Today.

Learn about the use of acupuncture for pain relief from NIH's National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Spinal manipulation. Both chiropractors and osteopathic physicians use manipulation to ease back pain, although the way they do it varies. Osteopathic manipulation often involves massaging the soft tissues (such as muscles) around the spine, whereas chiropractic involves manipulating the ligaments and vertebrae of the spine.

Either type of manipulation can be effective for back pain, particularly if pain is caused by problems such as sprains (damage to the ligaments) or strains (damage to the muscles). If you have a problem such as osteoporosis or rheumatoid arthritis, that may cause your spine to be more fragile, you should be cautious about spinal manipulation.

Get the facts about spinal manipulation for low back pain from NIH's National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Jean C.

27 Apr 2011, 09:46

I was dx with RA many years ago. For the last 10 years I have been going 2x a month to a "Activator" Chiropractor with fantastic relief. His adjusting is with a small tool and not heavy hand adjusting. Going twice a month has kept me from having dramatic highs and lows with the pain element. I tried once a month, but was really hurting by the time I went in. I encourage everyone to give this a try. It has helped me mentally and physically.

Anne

23 Apr 2011, 14:44

Levi-
I was diagnosed with RA 10 years ago. About 5 years ago, my knees started aching very badly and I went to my rhuematologist who did a couple of things like had me walk while he felt my knees leading to then checking my arches and suggesting better shoes and arch supports. The changes brought me instant relief including lower back pain relief. I do not have fancy arch supports, but do change them every 4 to 6 months. My spring flare up has been worse then other years so I look forward to summer! Good luck - I hope you get relief from your pain.

Levi Teeler

23 Apr 2011, 12:39

Hi I am a 52 year old man I been diagnosed with RA when I was around 38.I been taking Celebrex since it has came out and for the most part been doing okay.I watch my diet take vitamins go to the ymca regular everysince I have had this crap.I have been doing good for over 10 years,few aches and pains I guess are normal from just getting older.But I had a good flare up that lasted from end of Feb to just now going away this is April 23 2011.Never had problem with my knees before started having problems got a baker cyst and chondromalacia patella subchondral bone cyst femoral trochlea what ever all that stuff mean's.I understand by the Sport Med Doctor it was not a big deal xrays shows early Degenerative arthritus still have space between joints,sonogram showed baker cyst mri showed the other stuff I asked was this RA he did not thank so.My knee sweels some times but it does not feel warm like my hands an wrist has done.I had my blood work done this week my RH factors was around 65 I was wondering whith flare up the time you get your blood work drawn will it be elevated when flare up goes away does RH factors go down.My Doctor which is internal Med wanted me to see Rheumtoligist,But I told him these new meds opens you up to all kind of bad side effects.I would like to have some reasonable hope that weare close to aa cure and not just treatments please give me some good news Im still young just had our first grandbaby I want to live a long enjoyable life Im 2 years from retiring at a school district it is hard work Im a AC man the work is really starting to wear me down thanks for listening.PS my wife and daughter always does yall walks thank you again.
Levi Teeler
Benbrook TX
817 269-9032

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Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Back Pain Relief

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