Acupuncture (Or other back-pain methods)

[Azure]

Originally Posted by scotty2hotty

I had an Orthopedic Surgeon once tell me that he's never seen a case of idiopathic (no obvious cause) back pain where hip flexibility wasn't an issue.

Stop sitting and stretch those hips, my friend. Especially the hip flexors (top, front of thigh). We were designed to be mobile. Motion is lotion. (As mentioned above ... http://www.mobilitywod.com/ is a terrific resource)

While this is 100% true, I think we're beyond that point. The tendons and ligaments in our backs are pretty incredible when it comes to supporting such things as a herniated disk, so much so that people don't even realize that something is wrong. If the OP has chronic back pain, there is something really wrong. If a xray and MRI didn't show anything, my guess is soft tissue damage.

Does it hurt if you apply pressure to certain areas?

[TheSutterDynasty]

Originally Posted by meanmachine13

I am all for physio. But I said that if people are seeing a physio with little results, then I recommend just paying for a private MRI rather than continuing with physio for an entire year waiting to get a public MRI.

I saw a physio on and off over 4 years, with my symptoms only getting worse each year and the rate of going to physio increasing each year. I was seeing a physio twice a week for 8 months straight. In the fourth year I finally just paid for the MRI and saved thousands of dollars that I would have continued to spend on physio while waiting for a public MRI.

In many cases, physios can correct the problem. Its the other cases where physio helps but not as much as one would hope, such as in my case. In the end I learned that physio had little to no help in solving my condition.

May I ask what this condition is/was?

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by scotty2hotty

We can rag on complimentary therapies all we like, but the fact remains that pretty much all of them work well for temporary pain relief. If you find acupuncture or anything else will offer you temporary relief, then go for it and use that window of (pain free) opportunity to get some mobility back into your hips.

Don't listen to anyone who tells you that something works or doesn't work (I guess that should include me). As long as it's not dangerous to your health or your wallet, give it a try. Just know that the ultimate resolution of the problem (not just the symptoms) lies with you and your lifestyle.

I think the reason people speak out against pseudoscience-based treatments is because they're dangerous to your health and/or wallet. In the case of acupuncture, probably more of a risk to your wallet unless you're foregoing real medical treatment of a serious illness for it.

[j12iggy]

I am a physio. I initially trained in acupuncture - there is no question that for certain patients is works well - but I didn't enjoy doing it because with my western training I found it to be "fluffy" - lacking science. I then took IMS. IMS uses similar needles - but is completely based on western anatomy and physiology. IMS is best suited for patients who have chronic symptoms that have not responded well to other conservative treatments. Look into the website that will explain to you the theory and science behind this treatment. istop.org If you have any reservations about this treatment - know that all of the leading chronic pain and spine clinics in Calgary that use all of the latest interventions all have IMS practitioners. The website lists local Calgary practitioners.