Around 90 percent of compressed -- or herniated -- discs occur at the L4-L5 vertebrae, located at the base of your spine on top of your tailbone. This compression can cause not only lower back pain but a host of troublesome symptoms, including numbness, weakness in your legs and pain in your buttocks. Acupuncture treatments may help alleviate your symptoms, although its effectiveness does not seem to be any greater than other conservative treatments, says Franco Postacchini, professor of orthopedic surgery at the University La Sapienza, Rome, in his book, "Lumbar Disc Herniation."
Acupuncture Facts
Acupuncture is a form of holistic healing used by practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM, and Western medical acupuncturists. Acupuncturists gently insert tiny needles into tender or pressure points that are believed to correspond to specific mental and physical complaints. TCM practitioners work with your body's natural energy field lines, known as meridians. Western medical acupuncture is an adaptation of the TCM technique, using meridians as well as muscle trigger point acupuncture. Many people use acupuncture to treat a variety of conditions, including fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, headaches and lower back pain. The treatment is believed to affect the way you experience pain, although researchers aren't entirely sure how it works.
About L4-L5 Compression
Your spine is comprised of 23 vertebral discs, which are made up of two parts: a soft, cushion-like shock-absorbing core surrounded by a hard exterior. Disc compression can occur due to poor posture, improper lifting or a low back injury, causing the soft-cushion-like shock absorber to protrude out of the hard exterior. The most frequent form of disc compression occurs between the L4 and L5 lumbar discs because they bear most of your weight and help your spine rotate. Doctors may recommend physical therapy, chiropractic or osteopathic treatment or medication to treat L4-L5 compression. However, surgery is often indicated if your symptoms are severe or persist for longer than six weeks. Many people opt for deep-tissue massage therapy, yoga or acupuncture as an alternative to these conventional treatments.
Acupuncture for L4-L5 Compression
There's not much clinical research on the benefits of acupuncture for L4-L5 disc compression. In fact, a clinical review published in 2004 in the "Medical Journal of Australia" found that acupuncture was no more effective at curing lower back pain than "sham treatment, placebo or being put on a waiting list." However, proponents of acupuncture, such as Sun Peilin, author and professor of medicine at the Guangxi College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, believe that L4-L5 compression is closely related to the gall bladder meridian, which is affected by anger and stress. Acupuncture treatments of this area are thought to open up energy blockages, alleviate certain emotional symptoms and reduce pain.
Considerations
According to the Mayo Clinic, many people "swear by [acupuncture] as a means to control a variety of painful conditions." Consult your doctor before using alternative methods of treating your condition. If traditional methods of controlling your symptoms are ineffective, it may be worth your while to try acupuncture. Acupuncture treatments are generally painless and carry little risk if you visit a qualified practitioner. However, pregnant women, people with bleeding disorders or those who use a pacemaker should avoid acupuncture treatments due to an increased risk of complications.
