Acupuncture in locomotor disorders-----Diseases of soft tissues, muscles, bones and joints.
Acupuncture is effective to a very large extent in managing these disorders, and it has the highest patient acceptance in preference to all other methods of treatment wherever acupuncture is available as an alternative medicine.

Acupuncture should not be used as the last line of defense but as the first line of attack in this group and by using it at the early stages of the disease it is possible to prevent the many crippling deformities that often develop in these cases. For relieving pain without causing side effects acupuncture is the method par excellence. With the population of every country tending to become more geriatric the treatment of these disorders with acupuncture will become increasingly important in the future, especially in the context of the surging cost of orthodox medical care and the escalation of drug costs.

ARTHRITIS the term means inflammation of the joints and usually involves pain, stiffness and limitation of movement. Rheumatism is the name for it. Gout is a form of arthritis characterized by increased blood uric acid and is basically a metabolic disorder. In cases of persistent gouty arthritis acupuncture can be given with any prescribed medication to relieve the unpleasant symptoms. Most patients have their pain, swelling and stiffness significantly relieved by acupuncture treatment.

Some people with severe arthritis have been able to stay symptom -free by having maintenance treatments once a week.

ACUPUNCTURE WILL NOT CHANGE BONY DEFORMITIES OF COURSE BUT IT IS REMARKABLE HOW WELL A PERSON CAN FUNCTION IN SPITE OF THESE IF HE IS FREE FROM PAIN AND STIFFNESS.

NECK PAINS - CERVICAL SPONDYLITIS
Most neck problems can be effectively relieved by acupuncture treatment.

INTERVERTEBRAL DISC PROBLEMS AND SCIATICA
The intervertebral disc especially between forth and fifth lumbar vertebrae are subject to stress which leads to degenerative changes symptoms of back pain arise when surrounding vertebral ligaments are damaged or displaced, allowing disc material to protrude and cause nerve roots irritation and pressure.

Acupuncture is safer and most effective form of therapy for prolapsed intervertebral disc and it should be remembered that a person might function well and be pain free despite disc pathology.

Patients taking acupuncture for prolapsed intervertebral disc can safely avoid surgery and even if operated once for a recurrent disc prolapse can avoid further intervention.

BACKACHE
Almost everybody suffers from backache occasionally because it can result from normal activities. The most frequent cause of backache is muscle strain from hard work and strenuous exercises. Obesity puts an added strain on the back and increases pain.

ALL PATIENTS WITH BACKACHE SHOULD BE TREATED WITH ACUPUNCTURE FOR PAIN RELIEF. TENDINITIS AND TENOSYNOVITIS.
Tendonitis inflammation of a tendon and tenosynovitis is inflammation of the sheath of a tendon which contains lubricating fluid. Acupuncture usually relieves pain and stiffness in such cases.

MUSCLE STRAINS AND SPASMS
Muscle pain from strains , sprains and spasms may be disabling and acupuncture is safe and effective treatment for relieving them.

ACUPUNCTURE IN OTHER DISEASES
IMPAIRED MOTOR FUNCTIONS is the loss of the ability to move or to control the movement of various parts of the body .
Acupuncture cannot restore severed nerves but if paralysis and sensation loss is not complete then there is a good chance that acupuncture may produce considerable improvement.

ACUPUNCTURE seems to be the safest and most effective treatment for PARKINSONISM and most patients demonstrate significant improvement in co ordination and reduction of tremors. To maintain remission of symptoms some patients need a series of treatment every three or four months. Acupuncture can treat depression and other emotional problems at the same time the PARKINSONISM is being treated.

TREMORS are involuntary movements in one or more parts of the body produced by rhythmical alternate contractions of opposite muscle groups. Acupuncture can relieve tremors from many different causes.

HYPERACTIVITY is behavior pattern in children characterized by excessive activity, inability to concentrate and clumsiness, which is becoming increasingly common these days and acupuncture is very effective and safe. Although children may not be very co operative initially but they apparently feel so much better afterwards that they become very willing to have more. Nutrition should be improved by increasing proteins, raw vegetables and fruits in the diet and by eliminating junk foods.

NEURALGIA AND NEURITIS
NEURALGIA is sharp and stabbing and paroxysmal pain along the course of a nerve and there is usually an area of tenderness over a nerve, which may be a trigger zone. Acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for relieving this type of pain in TRIGEMINAL, HERPETIC, INTERCOSTAL AND SCIATIC NEURALGIA.

Acupuncture has a high rate of success for TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA and is of course safer than drugs or surgery and it has been successful in many cases after surgery has failed to give relief of pains.

MIGRAINE HEADACHES have an allergic and familial component and acupuncture should be considered a treatment of choice.

DEPRESSION - ACUPUNCTURE is safe and effective way to relieve depression and will not of course change the circumstances of a person's life but it will usually produce a feeling of well being and relieve insomnia which frequently accompanies depression.

ANXIETY is the restless apprehensiveness, which complicates many illnesses and may precede their development. Patients who complain of nervousness and insomnia are generally suffering from anxiety. Chinese medicine considers anxiety a symptom of imbalance between positive and negative aspects of vital energy and it can be effectively balanced by acupuncture.

FATIGUE is excessive tiredness, a feeling that any activity is tremendous effort. Acupuncture can correct the energy and patient usually feels more energetic and will have a normal amount of energy and interest in work.

INSOMNIA is a difficulty sleeping and a problem to almost all at times. Acupuncture by relieving pain and anxiety will almost always relieve insomnia.
NERVOUSNESS- almost everyone feels nervous occasionally, but nervousness may be a serious and chronic problem for some people who are often highly intelligent but lack, self-confidence and ability to cope with frustrating situations. Acupuncture is very effective for promoting relaxation and relieving all the symptoms of nervousness.

ALCOHOLISM -ACUPUNCTURE can be used to relieve withdrawal symptoms, regulate metabolism and give patient a feeling of well being which makes it easier for him to give up alcohol.

SMOKING ADDICTION -ACUPUNCTURE relieves withdrawal symptoms of nervousness, insomnia, depression and craving for excessive amounts of food. Most people experience a feeling of well being and self confidence after acupuncture since it releases mood elevating hormones from brain.

OBESITY inserting acupuncture needles superficially into various parts of the body can facilitate weight loss by giving a person a sense of well being which can suppress the desire for excessive food , and it can stimulate metabolism and thereby enable the body to utilize food efficiently instead of storing it as a fat .

AND TO COMPLETE THE LIST ACUPUNCTURE ALSO HELPS IN ALLERGIES, HIVES (RASHES), EXCESSIVE PERSPIRATION, INDIGESTION, CONSTIPATION, SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION, PREMENSTRUAL TENSION , FACIAL PARALYSIS, FROZEN SHOULDER, HEEL PAINS, TENNIS ELBOW, HEADACHES AND ALL THE OTHER TYPES OF DISORDERS WHERE PAIN IS A DENOMINATOR AND PATIENT FINDS IT DIFFICULT TO TOLERATE ANTI INFLAMMATORY DRUGS DUE TO SIDE EFFECTS.

Acupuncture is a therapy which was developed in China over 3000 years ago and has been used successfully to treat a variety of illnesses. It is now used world wide. Acupuncture works by stimulating designated points on the body via the insertion of very fine acupuncture needles. These points correspond with the functions of internal organs and other bodily processes as defined by the principles of Chinese medicine .

Acupuncture in backache: