The internet is one of the reasons for the rise in popularity of acupuncture. But acupuncture for the treatment of back pain has been a widely known effective form of therapy for decades now although the surge of it use is partly more of a backlash to the harms and side effects related to pharmaceutical drugs. In the age of growing awareness, holistic and organic therapies are highly sought after forms of treatment. Acupuncture is one of the most effective forms of these therapies especially for the treatment of back pain.

For over three thousand years, acupuncture has been handed down by ancient Chinese medicine practitioners to new generations of practitioners some of whom integrated modern techniques into it to produce more powerful and effective results. The number of acupuncture adherents grows more and more each year which bears witness to the potency and safety of this modality.

Acupuncture is a procedure in which fine needles are inserted into strategic and specific parts of the body known as acupuncture paints for treatment of back pain and other types of body pain. The needles produce a certain therapeutic effect that helps get rid of the pain. The exact procedure of acupuncture goes as follows: extra thin needles are stuck in specific acupuncture points that are determined during the diagnostic phase of the treatment. The needles generate a neural response that causes the brain to release pain-killing chemicals that help block the pain and other type of ailments.

For people who are not too keen to go into a treatment where needles are stuck into parts of their body, acupuncturists have a technique called sham acupuncture in which toothpicks instead of needles are utilized. The principle behind this is that the pressure of toothpicks can bring about the same therapeutic response as needles do. Sham acupuncture is particularly helpful for people who are reluctant to try out acupuncture (due to the needles) but still want to gain the benefits that acupuncture provides.

Interestingly despite the huge popularity of acupuncture in the US, anecdotal evidences only exist that prove of acupuncture’s efficacy. No empirical studies have been done whatsoever that proves this treatment’s ability to treat illnesses. Still, it needs to be stated that acupuncture does not work for everyone. A lot of people do respond to this treatment while others may not benefit at all from it. Each person’s body is unique and what works for one individual may not necessarily work for the other.

It is important to seek treatment only from a certified or licensed acupuncturist in Cleveland. You should never try to self treat yourself. Talk to your doctor or call an acupuncture organization such as the NCCAOM (the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine) to ask for a truly qualified practitioner who can help you with your back pain. All licensed/certified acupuncturists are well-trained to treat all kinds of body and head pain. If you want to be sure that your acupuncturist has the proper credentials, ask him/her about it. Do not be afraid. After all, it is your body and health that you are entrusting to this individual so you might as well be sure you’re in good hands.