A study done at the University of Maryland Center for Integrative Medicine shows that acupuncture is definitively effective when it comes to providing relief for back pain. What exactly is acupuncture? Acupuncture is a Chinese-based medicine that has been used to treat a variety of conditions, including back pain, for centuries. While there are many different forms of acupuncture in general very small needles are inserted at pressure points throughout the body. These pressure points are called meridians. Each meridian relates to specific areas of the body, but may be very far away from the area that is being treated. For example, a patient being treated for back pain may have needles placed in their ears or feet.

While the needles used in acupuncture are so small that they don't cause pain, sometimes a tingling sensation is felt. In some forms of acupuncture, electricity is passed through the needle. Acupuncture is a favored complementary medicine for back pain because it is so effective, as well as the fact that it is associated with few side effects.

Massage

Massage is a type of therapy in which the body's soft tissues are manipulated by a practitioner, promoting flexibility, blood flow, and healing. There are several different types of massage that are essentially differentiated by technique and the amount of pressure. Some of the more common types of massage given to those with back pain include trigger point, Swedish, deep tissue, sports, reflexology, and cranial sacral.

A study done by the Group Health Center for Health Studies in Seattle divided a group of 262 people with persistent back pain into three groups. The group that received massage therapy reported more improvement and pain reduction than the participants in the other two groups.

Chiropractic Care

Since chiropractic care focuses on the proper alignment of the spine, many people with back pain seek out this treatment. During chiropractic care, a chiropractor adjusts the spine. The idea is that a properly aligned spine promotes a better messaging system between the brain and the central nervous system, and therefore gives the body all the fighting power it needs to heal itself.

Chiropractic can be used to treat a wide variety of back disorders, from muscle and tendon strain to issues related to discs and cartilage. As a general rule of thumb, chiropractic is associated with relatively few side effects, and a large number of studies and research have confirmed its efficacy in treating back pain.