Lower back pain is a widespread issue that affects millions of people around the world, with many experiencing discomfort when walking or standing for extended periods. This type of pain can result from various factors, including poor posture, muscle strain, spinal misalignment, or even underlying conditions such as herniated discs or sciatica. Acupuncture has emerged as a popular alternative treatment to address these issues. This traditional healing method, which involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body, is known to help alleviate pain and promote healing by restoring balance and energy flow. In this article, we will explore the causes of lower back pain when walking or standing and how acupuncture can provide effective relief for those suffering in Tokyo.
Lower back hurts when walking or standing
Back pain is never pleasant. However, when you know the root of the problem (such as hunching over your desk at work, poor posture, or inadequate form while working out), you can look for ways to be mindful in attempts to reduce it.
On the other hand, sometimes you can feel pain from simply walking or standing for long periods of time. You may think you’re doing everything right, yet the discomfort is still there, as a daily reminder that something is not right.
If your work duties or other responsibilities require you to walk or stand for extended time frames, what can you do to keep the pain at bay?
Your lower back provides support and stability to your body when you’re in an upright position. Each vertebra is separated by a jelly-filled disc that serves as a cushion. These discs can become inflamed when standing for long periods of time. They can also experience wear and tear with age. Standing or walking for extended periods of time may aggravate this inflammation, resulting in pain.
Causes
- Stress. Standing or walking for long periods of time places stress on your lower back. In addition to the actual pressure on lumbar vertebrae, if you’re standing at a high-demand job, your back muscles may tense as well, increasing the pain.
- Being overweight. Every pound of excess weight places an additional four pounds of stress on your joints. This includes what’s called the facet joints, which are located between vertebrae. These are the joints that allow your back to be flexible when you have to bend down or twist around.
- Poor posture. Having poor posture for a day or two won’t really cause damage to your back. But do it over the span of several years, and it will affect the anatomy of your spine: Discs, joints, muscles, ligaments, blood vessels, and nerves on your back will all experience additional stress.
- Sedentary lifestyle. Inactivity leads to what’s called Disuse Syndrome. If you are used to having a sedentary lifestyle, you could inadvertently be causing the deterioration of your musculoskeletal system. As a result, you’ll experience a long list of health ailments, including chronic lower back pain.
- You need to replace your mattress. Not all mattresses are created equal. If you bought yours because it was on sale on Memorial Day, without regard for what your body actually needs, or if you purchased it over ten years ago, it may be time to revisit that decision and look for one that takes into account your body type, weight, preferred sleeping position, or any back condition that may require additional spinal support.
Treatment
Treatment may vary depending on the cause of the pain. Your medical provider may suggest specific physical therapy exercises. He or she can teach you how to do each movement as well as provide you with a printout with instructions that you can do at home. Less conservative treatment options include muscle relaxants, topical creams, or cortisone injections.
Your doctor may also analyze your gait (your form when you walk), to determine whether you have any posture issues that need to be corrected, or whether wearing shoes with additional support may help reduce stress on your spine.
In addition to the physical therapy exercises recommended by your doctor, apply heat therapy, 15 minutes at a time. This will stimulate muscle relaxation and blood flow.
Prevention
There are several things you can do to prevent (or at least lower the likelihood of experiencing) lower back pain.
- Adjust your workstation. Ergonomics are crucial in every single work industry. If your job requires you to stand at your workstation, request a height-adjustable workstation, along with a rubber mat to stand on. Do your part as well by opting to wear well-cushioned shoes.
- Avoid wearing high heels. They may look nice; however, high heels cause your feet (and thus, the rest of your body) to stand in an unnatural position. In fact, these type of shoes alter the curves of your spine, causing uneven wear and tear on the discs between the vertebrae, as well as the ligaments that attach muscles to your spine.
- Wear orthotics. Orthotics are shoe inserts designed to provide support, proper alignment, and stability to your feet. They are particularly helpful if you suffer from overpronation, plantar fasciitis, or bunions.
- Exercise and stretch. Always ask your doctor for specific exercise and stretch recommendations, since problems with your back may prevent you from doing certain types of exercises.
- Mind your posture. While it’s easy to become distracted with daily responsibilities, take some time to determine whether you’re standing up straight. Avoid drooping your shoulders while either standing or walking. Stand as tall as you can with your chest forward and your shoulders back, and land your body weight on your heels when walking.
- Lose weight. As previously mentioned, excess weight is felt four-fold by the joints in your body. In addition, your lower back muscles need to work harder to do simple tasks, such as turning around. This not only leads to lower back pain, but to knee and ankle pain as well, greatly affecting your quality of life and ability to keep up with friends and family.
Approach to low back pain acupuncture in Tokyo
Acupuncture is a Oriental medical treatment involving insertion of thin sterile metal needles into specific areas of the body. Broadly, acupuncture stimulates the release of endogenous opioids and serotonin, activates glutamate and diffuse noxious inhibitory control systems, and has local segmental effects. These effects are thought to contribute to pain relief. Evidence suggests that acupuncture may be an effective treatment for chronic pain conditions.
Acupuncture is practised either by Oriental medicine practitioners, who diagnose and treat according to theories of Oriental medicine, or by medical acupuncturists, who are medical practitioners practising ‘an adaptation of Oriental acupuncture using current knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology, and the principles of evidence-based medicine’.
Initial assessment
A full history and examination by a medical practitioner is required to exclude serious causes of low back pain (LBP). History should include radicular pain, neurological symptoms, bladder and bowel function, unexplained weight loss, fever, pain unrelieved by rest and history of trauma. Oriental medicine practitioners may ask about energy levels, sleep quality, dizziness, tinnitus or pain in other areas of the body.
Examination should include assessment of range of motion, tenderness and neurological assessment of the lower limb, including a straight leg test. Acupuncturists usually palpate for tender points, which may then be needled. Oriental medicine practitioners assess the colour, coating and shape of the tongue, and character of the radial pulse, which inform the Oriental medicine diagnosis. Imaging is usually not warranted in the case of uncomplicated acute LBP.
Management
Immediate
It is essential to educate patients to keep active and reassure them that LBP is usually benign and self-limiting. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and opioids offer modest analgesia but can cause adverse effects. Spine stabilisation exercises, application of heat and physiotherapist-directed home exercise programs may improve pain and function.
Acupuncture may be offered as an adjunct or alternative to these approaches. One systematic review on acupuncture for acute LBP suggested that it is more effective than medications or sham acupuncture for relief of pain but not for improvement of function. The studies included in the review, however, have methodological limitations.
There is no guidance as to the frequency and number of treatments required. It is generally believed that acute conditions require fewer treatments. In clinical trials of acupuncture for acute LBP, participants were treated for up to 6 weeks. One sham-controlled clinical trial on acupuncture for acute LBP reported a greater improvement in the real acupuncture group after one treatment. Treatments usually last 25–35 minutes and may be combined with electrical stimulation of the needles (electro-acupuncture), heat treatment or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).
Oriental medicine practitioners typically individualise treatments, choosing relevant acupuncture points according to the Oriental medicine diagnosis reached.
Short term
Treatment with acupuncture usually continues until pain subsides or pain control is satisfactory. The aims are to relieve pain, improve function and reduce time away from work. If patients are treated by Oriental medicine practitioners, they should have a planned review with their general practitioner after 6 weeks of treatment.
Medium-to-long term
While acute LBP is usually self-limiting, one-third of patients will not have fully recovered after 6 months and up to two-thirds will have a recurrence of back pain within 2 years. Chronic LBP refers to back pain lasting for more than 3 months.
Patients with chronic LBP should be reassessed by a medical practitioner to determine whether their back pain is associated with radiculopathy, spinal stenosis, any other spinal pathology or a non-spinal cause. Evaluation of yellow flags or psychosocial predictors of long-term disability is also important.
There is some evidence that acupuncture may improve pain and function in patients with chronic LBP as effectively as medications and more so than sham acupuncture; however, the studies had methodological limitations. Again there is no guidance as to the treatment schedule. Treatment protocols in clinical trials on acupuncture for chronic LBP ranged from 1–20 treatments over a period of 1 day to 12 weeks. Effects of acupuncture may persist for up to 3 months. In clinical practice, patients will usually have a course of treatment and then present again if pain recurs.
Acupuncture points commonly used to treat lower back pain
1.Shenshu (BL23)
- Location: This point is located on the lower back, about 2 finger-widths to the side of the spine, at the level of the second lumbar vertebra.
- Benefits: Shenshu is a key point in treating lower back pain, particularly when it’s associated with kidney deficiency, which is often a root cause of chronic back issues. This point strengthens the kidneys, supports the lower back, and helps with both acute and chronic pain. It can also help improve energy levels and circulation, aiding in muscle recovery and reducing pain.
2. Yao Yan (Extra 1)
- Location: Yao Yan is found about 3–4 finger-widths lateral to the spine at the level of the 4th lumbar vertebra, in the depression of the lower back muscles.
- Benefits: This point is particularly useful for addressing lower back pain related to muscle stiffness and tension. Yao Yan helps to relieve pain, ease muscle spasms, and strengthen the lumbar region. It’s often used in cases of acute pain from overuse, strain, or injury.
3. Guanyuanshu (BL26)
- Location: This point is located 1.5 finger-widths lateral to the spine, at the level of the 5th lumbar vertebra.
- Benefits: Guanyuanshu is commonly used to treat lower back pain associated with the sacroiliac joint or conditions such as sciatica. It helps to release tension in the lower back, alleviate stiffness, and improve flexibility. This point also has a tonifying effect on the body’s Qi, making it beneficial for chronic pain relief.
4. Huantiao (GB30)
- Location: Located on the hip, about 2–3 inches below the prominence of the hip bone (greater trochanter), this point is found in the depression where the gluteus muscle meets the upper thigh.
- Benefits: Huantiao is widely used to treat lower back pain, especially when it radiates down the legs (such as with sciatica). This point helps to relieve hip and lower back discomfort, increase circulation, and reduce inflammation. It can also be effective for alleviating pain from nerve impingement and muscle tightness.
5. Zusanli (ST36)
- Location: Zusanli is located about 3 finger-widths below the kneecap, on the outer side of the shinbone.
- Benefits: While primarily known for its role in digestive health, Zusanli also plays a significant role in musculoskeletal health. Stimulating this point can help strengthen the overall energy of the body, improve circulation, and reduce inflammation. It’s particularly beneficial for treating chronic back pain and conditions related to weak energy or fatigue.
6. Baihui (DU20)
- Location: Baihui is located at the top of the head, along the midline of the body.
- Benefits: While Baihui is often used to address headaches and mental clarity, it also plays an important role in balancing energy in the body. It is sometimes used in conjunction with other points to relieve tension and discomfort in the lower back, especially in cases where emotional stress or tension contributes to the pain.
7. Shiqizhui (DU8)
- Location: Shiqizhui is located along the midline of the back, at the level of the 7th lumbar vertebra.
- Benefits: This point is highly effective for treating lower back pain caused by lumbar disc issues, muscle spasms, or chronic pain syndromes. It helps to release tension and improve spinal flexibility, offering relief from both acute and chronic lower back pain.
8. Mingtang (DU22)
- Location: Mingtang is located on the midline of the forehead, just above the bridge of the nose.
- Benefits: Though it is primarily used for headaches, stress, and mental relaxation, Mingtang can also be helpful when lower back pain is linked to tension or stress. By promoting relaxation and improving the flow of energy throughout the body, this point can assist in alleviating the discomfort caused by emotional or psychological stress that manifests physically in the lower back.
9. Sanyinjiao (SP6)
- Location: Sanyinjiao is located 3 finger-widths above the ankle, on the inside of the lower leg.
- Benefits: This point is highly effective for balancing energy in the lower body, especially when the pain is related to the pelvis or the lower limbs. It helps to relieve pain and stiffness in the lower back by promoting blood circulation and alleviating muscle tension. Sanyinjiao is often used in combination with other points to treat chronic lower back pain and conditions like sciatica.
Safety
Acupuncture has the advantage of being a safe treatment when practiced by a trained professional; 90% of patients do not experience any adverse events. Common adverse events include bruising, soreness, tiredness, fainting or drowsiness. Serious adverse events such as pneumothorax are extremely rare. There are no absolute contraindications to acupuncture, but relative contraindications include immunocompromised states, increased bleeding tendency and heart valve disease.
Conclusion
Management of LBP includes a comprehensive assessment and review by a medical practitioner. Acupuncture can be considered as an evidence-based therapeutic option. Acupuncture has a favourable safety profile and may be a viable alternative if the use of pharmacological analgesics is undesirable.
In Tokyo, where traditional medicine and modern healthcare often intersect, acupuncture has become a go-to solution for many seeking relief from lower back pain. As more individuals turn to holistic treatments, acupuncture continues to prove its value as an effective remedy for back pain, making it a viable alternative to more conventional forms of treatment.
If you are suffering from lower back pain, just visit Fuji Wellness for a professional consultation. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing personalized care and effective treatments, including acupuncture, to help alleviate your pain and improve your mobility. At Fuji Wellness, we focus on addressing the root cause of your discomfort and work with you to create a treatment plan that promotes healing and long-term relief. Don’t let lower back pain hold you back – schedule your appointment today and take the first step toward a pain-free life.
Fuji Wellness:
- Address: 132-0031 Matsushima 1-chome, 21-14, Tokyo, Japan
- Contact: Click here
- Email: sunnyphamsensei@gmail.com
