How To Use An Acupuncture Pen For Back Pain

Chronic back pain is an incredibly frustrating condition – trust me, I know! It really affects the daily lives of sufferers. However, I have recently discovered the power of acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Specifically, how an acupuncture pen can work to significantly reduce my pain and distress. To learn how to use an acupuncture pen for back pain, take a look at this ultimate guide.

Effectiveness Of Acupuncture For Back Pain 

Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to treat various conditions and chronic pain, including back pain. This study concluded that acupuncture and acupressure treatment worked as pain relief for women experiencing lower back pain.

Other research suggests that an acupuncture pen for back pain may be effective. This is because traditional acupuncture has shown its ability to stimulate the nervous system, triggering the release of critical relief hormones.

As such, if you’re looking for an alternative, more holistic treatment for your chronic pain, an acupuncture pen is a good option. If you’re still not convinced of the benefits of acupuncture pens, take a look at this titled Do Acupuncture Pens Work. You’ll be convinced in no time!

How To Use An Acupuncture Pen For Back Pain

Photo by Gheorghe Catalin Crisan on Unsplash

The first thing you should know about using an acupuncture pen is that it is not meant to replace traditional acupuncture treatments. Instead, this tool is designed to help you get more out of your existing treatment plan as integrative medicine.

Acupuncture pens are much safer and easier to use than traditional acupuncture needles. This is because they use an electric pulse to mimic the results of traditional acupuncture treatment. Take a look here for a detailed explanation of how to use an acupuncture pen.

The first thing you should do when using an acupuncture pen is to find out where the best acupuncture points are for relieving your specific back pain. To get you started, I’ve listed some of the most useful and common acupuncture points for back pain below. Take a look!

Acupoint: SI-11 (Other Names: Small Intestine-11/Tian Zong/Heavenly Gathering)

For general back pain, the SI-11, or Tianzong, acupuncture point is great. It is situated on the shoulder blade and belongs to the small intestine meridian. You can find the acupoint in the central depression of the infraspinatus fossa, level with the 4th thoracic vertebra. It works to alleviate back and shoulder pain and increase blood circulation.

Look here to learn more about how to relieve tension between the shoulder blades.

Acupoint: LI-11 (Other Names: Large Intestine-11/Qu Chi/Pool at the Crook)

LI-11, or Quchi, is located close to the elbow, and you can find the acupoint at the lateral end of the cubital crease. It belongs to the large intestine meridian, and it is understood to improve gastrointestinal function and reduce back pain. It also works to relieve skin conditions such as eczema.

To learn more about this point, take a look at this article about pressure points on the forearm.

Acupoint: Ren-12 (Other Names: The Conception Vessel-12/Zhong Wan/Middle Epigastrium)

Ren-12, or Zhongwan, is an acupuncture point located on the upper abdomen. You can find the acupoint at 4 cun above the umbilicus on the midline of the upper abdomen. It is understood to strengthen and harmonize the spleen and stomach and relieve back pain whilst doing so. This is a great point if you want to use your acupuncture pen for sciatica treatment.

To learn more about this versatile acupuncture point, check out this article about acupressure points to increase estrogen.

Acupoint: GB-21 (Other Names: Gallbladder-21/Jian Jing/Shoulder Well)

GB-21, or Jianjing, is located on the highest part of the shoulder blade. It belongs to the gallbladder meridian, and it is understood to aid significantly in relieving pain in the upper back. It also aids with relieving pain and muscle tightness in the neck.

This point is very versatile. Take a look at this article about acupressure points for cervical spondylitis to learn more.

Acupoint: Bl-23 (Other Names: Urinary Bladder-23/Shen Shu/Kidney Transporter)

Acupoint: Bl-23 Or Ub-23(Other Names: Urinary Bladder-23/Shen Shu/Kidney Transporter)

BL-23, or Shen Shu, is located on the waist line. You can find the pair of acupoints 1.5 cun from the center.  It belongs to the bladder meridian, and it is understood to improve fatigue in the lower back and the whole body. This is a great point if you want to use your acupuncture pen for sciatica treatment. It is a very versatile point that benefits the kidneys, the ears, the eyes, and one’s essence.

To learn more about this great acupoint, check out this article on back pressure points massage.

Other Benefits Of Acupuncture Pens

Although this article has focused on the benefits of acupuncture pen for back pain, acupuncture pens are very versatile devices. Whether you’re experiencing general aches and pains or mental health disorders, an acupuncture pen may be able to relieve your pain.

I know that many people who experience back pain may also experience chronic neck pain. To learn more about what an acupuncture pen can do for your neck pain, check out this article about acupuncture pens for neck pain.

Author: P. Sze

P. Sze P. Sze is the founder of TCM Tips and Dragon Acupuncture®. She graduated from the National University of Singapore with a first-class honor in Civil Engineering. S he also holds a master’s degree in Engineering and is the brain behind the innovative TCM products of Dragon Acupuncture®. She is the author of The Beginner's Guide to Auricular Therapy: Application of Ear Seeds (ISBN 978-1520451398) and Facial Gua Sha - Fight the Signs of Aging Naturally and Inexpensively (ISBN 978-1980678922). She has dedicated her life to ensuring that the complex theories behind oriental medicine and the seemingly dangerous techniques that involve needles and fire do not scare you from trying oriental medicine. This is why she writes endlessly about acupressure and its countless health and wellness benefits.

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