BACK PAIN RELIEF IN METAIRIE – BIG EASY ACUPUNCTURE AND HERBAL MEDICINE

Does acupuncture help with back pain?

Yes, acupuncture can relieve back pain by relaxing tight muscles, improving circulation, calming the nervous system, and restoring mobility.

BACK PAIN HOLDINGYOU BACK? FIND RELIEF WITH ACUPUNCTURE

Does your back ache after sitting too long or standing at work?
Do you get shooting pains down your leg or stiffness in the morning?

Back pain can interfere with even the simplest parts of life — tying your shoes, picking up your kids, sleeping well, or making it through a workday. For many people, it’s more than discomfort. It can affect sleep, reduce energy, and even limit independence.

Acupuncture offers safe, natural, and drug-free relief that addresses the root cause of your pain.

WHAT CAUSES BACK PAIN?

Back pain is one of the leading reasons people visit doctors worldwide. It can come from everyday strain or more complex conditions. Common causes include:

• Everyday Strain & Overuse
  Heavy lifting, repetitive bending, twisting, or long hours on your feet.
• Poor Posture & Core Weakness
  Slouching at a desk, weak abdominal support, or prolonged sitting.
• Injuries & Accidents
  Sports injuries, falls, or sudden awkward movements leading to sprains or herniated discs.
• Nerve Irritation
  Sciatica, pinched nerves, or spinal stenosis causing radiating pain to the legs.
• Age-Related Changes
  Arthritis, osteoporosis, degenerative disc disease, and reduced disc cushioning.
• Scar Tissue, Bone Spurs, Masses, Tumors
  Internal changes that press on nerves or limit movement.
• Lifestyle Factors
  Smoking (slows healing), stress (tightens muscles), seasonal cold/damp weather can all trigger pain, or feeling tight muscles when sick.

HOW PEOPLE EXPERIENCE BACK PAIN

• Physically – Pain may be dull, aching, or sharp. It may radiate down one or both legs (sciatica), cause stiffness, or lead to spasms that make it hard to move.
  
• Mentally – Chronic back pain often brings frustration, irritability, or depression due to ongoing limitations.
  
• Time Frame – Some cases resolve with rest and lifestyle changes; others become persistent or recurring, lasting months or years.

HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE WORK FOR BACK PAIN?

Acupuncture is effective because it targets both the muscles and nerve pathways involved in pain.

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is well known to provide a natural, anatomy based, researched, and safe approach to treating back pain.

Thin sterile needles are inserted at specific points either locally or along distant areas of the body that connect to the same pathways to manipulate the body, reduce pain, and calm the nervous system. Pain can come from nerves being elongated, shortened, or compressed. Nerve compression and muscular tensions lead to areas of the body not being able to fire actions like a misfire in a car or perform as intended because the area could be shut off. 

Western Medical Perspective:

• Triggers release of endorphins (your body’s natural pain relievers)
• Relaxes tight muscles and reduces spasms
• Improves blood circulation for faster healing
• Decreases inflammation in irritated joints and discs
• Restores proper nerve signaling to reduce radiating pain
• Calms the nervous system, helping the body “reset” from chronic tension

Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective:

• Clears blockages in meridians that cause pain and stiffness
• Restores balance of Qi, blood, and body fluids
• Reduces stress and tension that worsen back problems

The result: Less pain, improved mobility, stronger posture, and better quality of life.

RESEARCH ON ACUPUNCTURE FOR BACK PAIN

Modern research continues to confirm the benefits of acupuncture for people living with back pain:

• A large randomized trial published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that patients receiving acupuncture — whether individualized or standardized — experienced greater improvements in function and symptoms compared to usual care. Read the study ›
• A systematic review and meta-analysis in Pain Medicine concluded that acupuncture was generally more effective than control treatments for various neuropathic pain conditions, improving both pain and nerve function. Read the study ›

What this means for you: Acupuncture is not only safe, but it has strong scientific support as a natural, effective treatment for back pain — helping reduce symptoms, restore mobility, and improve quality of life.

TYPES OF TECHNIQUES USED FOR BACK PAIN

• Traditional Acupuncture – Needling along Bladder, Kidney, and Du channels, especially points along the lumbar spine. These meridians are pathways of action utilized to treat your condition.
• Sports Medicine Acupuncture – Targeting motor points to restore muscle balance, relieve nerve compression, and restore function to nerve pathway of action. These pathways are part of a larger network of nerve branches that showcase the pathways of action of the body.
  
• Electrostimulation (Electroacupuncture) – Gentle electrical current to reduce inflammation and improve nerve function. Electrostimulation can provide deeper stimulation for a period of time without the need to manually stimulate each needle.
  
• Cupping Therapy – Cups are placed onto the skin to create suction. This increases blood flow to surface level tissues and loosens muscles/tendons

IMAGING AND RED FLAGS

Imaging (X-ray, MRI, or CT scan) may be recommended if:

• Pain follows an accident, fall, heavy trauma, or major injury
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness travels into one or both legs
• Pain is severe, persistent, or worsening even with care
• Sudden changes in bladder or bowel control occur
• Unexplained weight loss, fever, or other systemic symptoms appear
  

Imaging can reveal issues such as disc herniation, fractures, or spinal narrowing that may guide treatment.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR FIRST ACUPUNCTURE VISIT

When you visit Big Easy Acupuncture in Metairie, we start by discussing the reason for your visit, history of complaint, and checking your mobility and muscle strength. Then we create a plan just for you.

• Consultation & Assessment – We’ll discuss your pain history, lifestyle factors, and perform orthopedic mobility and strength testing to determine your personalized treatment plan.
  
• Treatment – Gentle acupuncture targeting back pain pathways, with needles retained for ~20 minutes.
  
• What You May Feel – A sense of release in the muscles, reduced pain, improved movement, and deep relaxation.
  
• Complementary Care – Cupping, electroacupuncture, or manual therapy may be used to boost results.
  
• Lifestyle Support – Core-strengthening exercises, lifting technique adjustments, and posture tips.

Big Easy Acupuncture treatments utilize a combination of Sports Medicine Acupuncture along with Traditional Chinese Medicine to bring you the best of both this ancient healing system along with modern treatment methods.

BENEFITS OUR PATIENTS NOTICE

• Relief from neck pain and stiffness
• Reduced radiating pain from back pain (Sciatica)
• Better posture, range of motion, and strength
• Better sleep and lower stress levels
• Reduced reliance on pain medications
• More energy for daily life

Many patients feel relief within the first or first few visits. For chronic or recurring cases, a short treatment series helps retrain the body for long-term results.

AFTERCARE (POST TREATMENT RECOMMENDATIONS)

• Drink water to support recovery
• Avoid heavy lifting immediately after treatment
• Practice gentle stretches or core engagement exercises as recommended
• Pay attention to ergonomic adjustments (chair support, lifting mechanics)
• Some patients may have temporary soreness at needling sites as the body processes treatment. This can be normal for some and resolves normally within 24-48 hours.
• Pain reduction is not the only progress people make on their journey to reduce and remove their pains. Pay attention to changes in mobility, strength, sleep, medications used, and overall comfort level. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• How many acupuncture sessions do I need for back pain?
  Many patients notice improvement quickly, but for chronic low back pain, 6–8 visits help retrain the body for lasting relief.
• Is acupuncture safe for chronic back pain?
  Yes. Acupuncture is a safe, non-drug treatment that supports both acute and chronic back pain management.
• Can acupuncture help with sciatica?
  Absolutely. By reducing nerve irritation and relaxing tight muscles, acupuncture often reduces radiating pain into the legs.
• Do you accept insurance for acupuncture?
  Big Easy Acupuncture is a cash-based clinic. We can provide itemized receipts for patients who want to seek out-of-network reimbursement upon request. 

Unlike pain medications that only mask symptoms, acupuncture helps your body heal. It’s safe, natural, and effective — and it’s trusted by people all over the world.

🌿 Ready to Find Relief from Back Pain?

📍 Big Easy Acupuncture | Metairie, LA
📞 504-650-0027

FEEL RIGHT. MOVE FREE. LIVE EASY.

References

1. Cherkin, D. C., Sherman, K. J., Avins, A. L., Erro, J. H., Ichikawa, L., Barlow, W. E., … & Deyo, R. A. (2009). A randomized trial comparing acupuncture, simulated acupuncture, and usual care for chronic low back pain. Archives of Internal Medicine, 169(9), 858–866. View Article ›
2. Vickers, A. J., Vertosick, E. A., Lewith, G., MacPherson, H., Foster, N. E., Sherman, K. J., … & Linde, K. (2012). Acupuncture for chronic pain: individual patient data meta-analysis. Pain Medicine, 18(3), 356–374. PubMed ›