If you have been looking for an alternative treatment for lower back pain, you’re at the right place. I have been a long-time back pain sufferer. But the word ‘alternative’ didn’t enter my life until I accidentally stumbled across it, thanks to my previous job.
I had the choice to pick a new certification given my last job as a therapist. And I picked one, where I was sent off for 10 days to learn a new therapy, and returned with a glow on my face.
How did such a miracle happen? Well, all thanks to Tuina massage, a therapy based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. What I experienced was far deeper relief, much more than a pill or physiotherapy alone could deliver.
This was when I realised that western medicine alone wasn’t the answer to some of the persistent problems of mankind. Lower back pain can appear like a pesky problem, that often a pill or rest alone won’t resolve. And especially, when the weather changes, the pain seems to find a way to sneak back in.
This is when I started looking deeper into Chinese medicine, and after having spent years being an alternative practitioner, I’d like to outline 3 potent alternative treatment options for lower back pain.
- Tuina Massage: Of course, it tops the list because it was the first thing that brought me immense relief. As the word goes, it’s a unique form of massage where various points or meridians as they call it in TCM, are stimulated to induce better energy flow. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, disease is a result of a disharmonious flow of energy in the body. This can be due to tension, stress, anxiety or other environmental factors. When you stimulate the meridians, by massaging at specific points in the body, you are able to release any blocks or tension, so that the energy flow harmonises.
Better energy flow releases the tension that may be causing the lower back pain. In effect, within a few sessions you can feel better, more energetic and also free from lower back pain! - Acupuncture: Again, acupuncture therapy is also a branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine and it works on the same principles of energy flow, and meridians. In this therapy a skilled acupuncturist uses a special type of very thin needles, especially designed for this therapy. These needles are carefully placed at specific points in the body, based on what type of disease the patient is looking to cure. And then you’re allowed to simply lie down and relax, while your energy blocks start getting removed.
In effect, you start feeling lighter, happier, and might as well wake up with lesser back pain right from the very first session. - Qigong: Qigong is one of the most powerful healing modalities in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the beautiful thing about it is that you can learn Qigong and induce self-healing.
As we looked at the above two therapies, they both require someone else to do the healing work, but in the case of Qigong, you can self-heal. Which can be so empowering!
Now, what does Qigong mean? Qi means energy and gong means to cultivate through practice. So essentially Qigong is the art of cultivating life giving energy through daily practice, so that you are able to induce harmonious energy flow, stimulate the meridians, and help release energetic blocks to feel better, more healthier and happier.
The 3 types of therapies that we just spoke about are extremely potent in their effectiveness, especially when you are consistent with the therapy.
An acupuncturist or a Tuina massage therapist may ask you to do at least a 10 day session before you can experience real benefits. Although it is not uncommon for people to do multiple 10 day sessions for more effective results.
And with Qigong, the recommendation is to just learn and practise it daily, because it’s not just a therapy for lower back pain, but it can go a long way in helping you sustain or regain your vitality, and keep you feeling at your best.
More importantly, I wanted to highlight the importance of being able to take charge of your own health, so you don’t have to run from one doctor to another, finding a solution for your back pain, when the solution lies in understanding the root cause of your back pain, and addressing it correctly.
Another important point to note is that often these therapies are used in conjunction, and that way they can become even more beneficial in speeding up the healing process.
I’d highly recommend you seek a TCM practitioner who is qualified in all elements though definitely begin with Acupuncture if the other forms of therapy are not widely available in your area. However, my favourite combinations will always include Qigong.
Think your case is different or you have questions? Drop me a line at hello@meetbarbaraellis.com and we can schedule a 30 min consultation at a nominal cost.
