Have you ever had any aches or pains in your lower back? If so, you are not alone! Low back pain is a very common complaint, including among the Veteran population.

An important strategy to care for low back pain includes finding ways to move the body, though that can sometimes feel challenging when you’re in pain. Some Veterans have found relief from low back pain by practicing different complementary and integrative health (CIH) techniques, such as acupuncture, yoga, Tai Chi and massage therapy.

Another CIH technique and self-care strategy for low back pain is acupressure, which is similar to acupuncture, but instead of needles, pressure is applied with a finger, thumb, or device to specific points on the body. Acupressure points taught in the video below may be useful for when your pain is worse. The routine may still be effective during times when back pain is less bothersome, but still there. Using acupressure more regularly may lead to better results. Press these points several times a day when your back is hurting and see if you find relief.

A simple routine can work out the kinks

A simple acupressure routine may provide just enough pain relief to allow healing movement to take place, which may help you to be more active. The acupressure may relieve low back pain and muscle tightness that often accompanies pain. Your hands will become more sensitive as you practice acupressure, which allows you to notice as the tightness in your back muscles relax.

Ready to try acupressure for your own self-care? Check out this 11-minute self-care acupressure session for low back pain led by Licensed Acupuncturist Stephanie Gregory from the Portland VA Medical Center.

 

Click here to download a handout to accompany the video above.

For more videos on acupressure and other self-care techniques, visit the #LiveWholeHealth https://news.va.gov/category/health/livewholehealth/.

Topics in this story

#LiveWholeHealthacupressure

Leave a comment

The comments section is for opinions and feedback on this particular article; this is not a customer support channel. If you are looking for assistance, please visit Ask VA or call 1-800-698-2411. Please, never put personally identifiable information (SSAN, address, phone number, etc.) or protected health information into the form — it will be deleted for your protection.

13 Comments

  1. Francisco Licon March 6, 2023 at 14:27

    Wonderful!

  2. LaTalya February 21, 2023 at 19:52

    Thank you for this information! I suffer from lower back pain and sciatic nerve pain and will greatly benefit from either of these treatments.

  3. Debra Hooten February 21, 2023 at 09:48

    Cannot download handout…just sends to VA site.

  4. Dawn S. Morgason February 18, 2023 at 18:47

    I found this segment very helpful. The techniques will extend the effectiveness of acupuncture treatments & extend the period between acupuncture sessions. I’m interested in whole back treatments. Thank you.

  5. Delores Lewis February 17, 2023 at 15:00

    Thanks! Great Knowledge.

  6. Sid Suenishi February 17, 2023 at 14:22

    Are there any accupressure tips for treating upper back pain?

    Thank you for your time.
    Sid

  7. Rodger D. Reddish February 17, 2023 at 12:07

    My lower spline is “knocked” one direction and my upper spline is The Other Direction. Is this going to help?

  8. Eric Dye February 17, 2023 at 05:46

    Very interesting video; some of the very issues I suffer from are addressed here. My hope is it will help free up my “tight” or “painful spots” which have plagued me for years. Most are caused by minor or even a couple of major injuries that occurred during my 21 years active duty and 7 years of reserve service. Didn’t know they were common issues but it makes sense from the running, rucking, airborne and rough terrain activities in the Army. Happened onto this video as I was once again wakened in the wee hours of the morning and struggled to find a comfortable sleeping position. I have received physical therapy and massage therapy to benefit; but frankly cannot afford to do it often enough to help as needed. This self-help video holds out some great promise.
    Thank you for the informational video.

  9. Elmira Francis-Arway February 16, 2023 at 23:46

    Thank you,
    I am writing a paper on Veterans and acupuncture in the Ph.D. program at Saybrook University College of Mind-Body and Medicine which I will use to help at the Veterans Healthcare System of New Jersey.

  10. tom adams February 16, 2023 at 18:01

    Live in Akron, Ohio where CAN I get acupointure?

  11. Emilio Santiago February 15, 2023 at 09:50

    Live at Deltona, FL where cN I get acupointure?

  12. Dr. Lucy Postolov February 14, 2023 at 17:01

    These are wonderful tips and I am so proud to be a Community Care network provider / Acupuncture, serving both Men and Women in the Greater
    Los Angeles area. No charge to the Veteran.

Comments are closed.

More Stories