1. How Acupuncture Can Help With Back Pain
Healing your back naturally.
Scot Somes,LAc.
Center for Integrated Eastern Medicine
Introduction:
Your name, what you do, how long in practice and thank them for coming.
Thank you for coming down today, today we are going to talk about how acupuncture can help with stress. It’s an ancient medicine for a modern world and has been around used for over 5000 years.

2. Back Pain in the U.S.
80% of the population has had back pain at one time or another
50% of Americans have some form of chronic back pain
Second most common reason to visit a doctor
One of the most common reasons for missing work
Most prevalent cause of disability under the age of 35

3. Types of Back Pain Upper back pain Middle back pain Low back pain
Sciatica

4. Western causes of Back Pain
Muscular strain
Ligamentous sprains
Herniated disks
Spinal stenosis
Osteoporoisis
Arthritis
Trauma
Fibromyalgia
Spinal subluxation
No notes here.

5. What you can do Ignore it Worst Option Bed rest
Pain killers
Surgery
Acupuncture
Chiropractic
Massage
Worst Option
Doesn’t resolve root cause, can help
Can help, but can cover-up root issues
Short term, possible last resort
Natural, addresses root cause,
can take time
No notes here.

6. How can acupuncture help?
Uncovers the “root cause” of back pain
Focuses upon correcting the problem and strengthening the body
Unblocks the body’s internal flow of healing energies
Facilitates the free-flow of healing energies throughout the meridian networks
Reduces inflammation
Expedites the healing process
Alleviates pain
No notes here.

7. Acupuncture and Back Pain
“Meridians not only feed vital energies to their related organs, they also reflect any pathological disturbance in those organs, thus providing a convenient and highly accurate tool for diagnosis as well as therapy.”
No notes included here.

8. Acupuncture and Meridians
Meridians are river networks inside our body
What are Meridians?
It’s important to create the analogy of meridians being similar to rivers.
“All across our planet, we have rivers.”
“Wherever water flows on the planet it bring nourishment to the plants, the forest and the people. Wherever water doesn’t flow, it brings drought, death and disease.”
“Similarly, your body is lined with rivers, that we call Meridians, that provide nourishment to every cell, tissue, muscle, tendon and organ. Wherever Qi flows in the body it bring nourishment to the tissues, organs in the body.”
“The meridians flow throughout your entire body, along the back of your body and the front of your body (trace the meridian pathways here). Each of these dots (pointing to the points on image), is called an acupuncture point. Acupuncture points along the body are similar to gates, through acupuncture you open up the gates and allow Qi to freely flow through the body, allowing all of the organs, tissues and cells to be nourished relieving the “disturbances”, leading to good health.”
“Each Meridian has a corresponding organ that it supports and provides nourishment for. Each Meridian pathway is named for its corresponding organ system (name them here) Not only do they have superficial aspect on the body, but they also have a deeper/internal connection to the organs within the body.”
Tip:
Name each of the Meridian systems with corresponding organs. Trace the flow of Qi throughout the body.

9. An Ancient View of Back Pain
Qi travels through our meridian system
Qi provides nourishment for every cell, tissue, muscle, gland and organ
When Qi becomes blocked and imbalanced, pain and disease result
As water flows through river networks nourishing our planet, Qi flows through our meridian networks nourishing our body

10. Acupuncture and Back Pain
Flow of Qi
Stagnation = Pain
Water flows in rivers, Qi flows in meridians
Meridians are the river network inside
“Qi flows through the body in a specific and defined ways. (trace the flow of Qi) From one meridian and organ network to the next, just like this.”
“If there is a blockage, or a “dam”, in one meridian, it will affect everything else downstream.”
“When there is a blockage, the cells, tissues, muscles, organs and glands will receive improper nourishment and therefore express ill health and ultimately disease and pain in the body. Various symptoms and signs will develop. This is what an acupuncturist calls an imbalance, and as an acupuncturist, I am trained to detect and correct where these various meridian imbalances are.”
Tip:
Explain the concept of excess on one side of the blockage and depletion on the other side, and improper nourishment. This leads to imbalance and symptoms and signs in the body

11. Back Pain and Bi Syndrome
How TCM views back pain
Back pain = Bi syndrome
Bi syndrome is caused by:
Obstruction of Qi and Blood
Sluggishness of Qi and Blood
Invasion of external influences

12. What is Bi Syndrome?
Bi syndrome is the most common condition acupuncture treats. It can either be acute or chronic.
Bi syndrome manifests as pain, soreness, or numbness of muscles, tendons and joints. It is the result of the body being "invaded" by external environmental factors such as Wind, Damp, Cold and Heat.
Bi syndrome symptoms reflect which factor has invaded the body, affecting the flow of Qi and Blood.

13. Diagnosing Pain with TCM
Characteristics of Bi Syndrome?
Pain
Numbness
Heaviness
Swelling
Soreness
Aching
Throbbing

14. Eastern Causes of Back Pain
Environmental conditions influence our health
Wind
Damp
Cold
Heat
Phlegm
Stasis
Trauma

15. Diagnosing Pain with TCM
Wind Bi Syndrome
Classified as wandering pain
Caused by invasion of Wind
Pain moves from joint to joint
Sore and painful muscles and joints
Limited range of motion (ROM)

16. Diagnosing Pain with TCM
Damp Bi Syndrome
Classified as fixed pain
Caused by invasion of Dampness
Aggravated by damp weather
Does not radiate
Soreness
Swelling of joints and muscles
Feeling of heaviness
Numbness of limbs

17. Diagnosing Pain with TCM
Cold Bi Syndrome
Classified as aching pain
Caused by invasion of Cold
Usually fixed location
May be worse at night and better during the day
Severe joint or muscle pain
Limited ROM

18. Diagnosing Pain with TCM
Heat Bi Syndrome
Classified as hot/inflamed pain
Caused when Wind, Damp and/or Cold linger too long, stagnating Qi and turning into heat
Can be caused by underlying weakness in body
Painful, hot joints
Radiating
Throbbing
Red and swollen joints
Severe pain
Limited ROM

19. Diagnosing Pain with TCM
Phlegm Bi Syndrome
Classified as deep joint pain
Caused when previous 4 types linger
Chronic
Muscular atrophy and weakness
Swollen and deformed joints

20. Diagnosing Pain with TCM
Stasis Bi Syndrome
Classified as stagnant pain
Usually caused by Qi and Blood stagnation
Fixed location
Stabbing sensation
May be throbbing

21. Diagnosing Pain with TCM
Bi syndrome can be related to:
All painful conditions
Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Osteoarthritis
Muscular sprain/strain
Sciatica
Gout

22. Treating Pain with TCM Make correct diagnosis
If Cold diagnosis, use warming methods
If Damp diagnosis, use drying and dampness elimination methods
If Heat diagnosis, use cooling methods
Choose most effective acupuncture points
Local points
Distal points
Ear and hand points
Choose adjunct therapies
Determine treatment schedule

23. Treating Pain with TCM Choose adjunct therapies Electro-stim Gwa Sha
Tui Na
Cupping
Moxibustion
Infra-red heat lamp
Herbs
Topical oils and/or patches

24. Treating Pain with TCM Provide self-care education
Movement rehabilitation
Home-care point stimulation
Exercise and stretching

25. What You Can Do Movement rehabilitation Lift smart Sit smart
Let your legs do the work.
Move straight up and down.
Keep your back straight and bend with your knees.
Avoid twisting.
Sit smart
Choose a seat with good low back support that has arm rests and a swivel base.
Keep your hips and knees level.
Stand smart
Maintain a neutral pelvis.
No notes included here.

26. What You Can Do Home-care point stimulation
Bladder 40 – Located in the depression at the back of the knee.
Bladder 62 – In the depression directly below the outer ankle.
Bladder 60 – In the depression between the tip of the outer ankle and Achilles tendon.
Small Intestine 3 – When a loose fist is made, the point is on the outside of the palm, where the skin protrudes.
No notes included here.
Large Intestine 4 – On top of the hand, in between the thumb and first finger.
Gallbladder 39 – Approximately three inches above the outer ankle, just posterior to the bone.
Local points

27. What You Can Do Exercise and stretching – back pain
Forward Bend – Stretches and opens up the Bladder meridian.
Bicycle Pedal Leg Press – Stretches and opens up the Bladder meridian.
Forward Bend
1) Sit on the floor with legs stretched out in front of you. Keep your knees slightly bent, do not lock them. If this causes any discomfort, you can sit on a folded blanket and bend your knees slightly out to the side.
2) With chin slightly tucked, slowly stretch forward, reaching your hands toward your toes. If you cannot touch your toes, reach for your knees, shins or ankles. Relax your head.
3) As you breathe in, focus your breath along your back and spine. Expanding outwards with each inhalation, and imagining that you are expanding your back like a big balloon. As you exhale, allow your body to relax deeper into the stretch.
4) Hold this position for a few breaths.
Bicycle Pedal Leg Press
1) Sit on the floor with your legs stretched out in front of you. Keep your heels together and knees straight.
2) Take a deep breath in, as you exhale, bend your upper body forward from the hips. Grab your feet if you can; if not, grab your knees or ankles.
3) Relax your neck, allowing your head to hang down.
4) Push your left hip and left heel forward, away from you, and pull your right hip and right heel closer to you.
5) As you push forward with your left foot, reach forward with your extended left arm.
6) Rhythmically alternate the synchronized leg and arm movements for each side.
Embrace the Sun Forward Bend
1) While sitting on the floor, stretch your left leg out to the side and bend your right leg in with your heel gently touching your groin. If this causes any discomfort, you can sit on a folded blanket.
2) As you inhale, raise your arms to the sky and stretch upward. Keep your back straight and turn your torso slightly toward the extended leg.
3) Keep your arms extended, and with an exhalation bend forward from your hips over your extended leg and relax your neck, allowing your head to hang down. Try to grab your toes, ankles or shins if you can. Hold this position for a few breaths.
4) Upon inhalation, raise up, switch legs and repeat for the other side. Repeat steps 1-3.
Embrace the Sun Forward Bend – Stretches and opens up the Bladder meridian.

28. Treating Pain with TCM Tips to remain healthy Remain active
Avoid prolonged bed rest
Warm up and stretch before physical activities
Maintain proper posture
Sleep on a supportive mattress
Work with your acupuncturist

29. What Else Acupuncture Treats
The NIH and WHO acknowledge acupuncture can be helpful for:
• Addiction - alcohol,
drug, smoking
• Anxiety
• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Bronchitis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Chronic fatigue
• Colitis
• Common cold
• Constipation
• Dental pain
• Depression
• Diarrhea
• Digestive trouble
• Dizziness
• Dysentery
• Emotional problems
• Eye problems 
• Facial palsy/tics
• Fatigue
• Fertility
• Fibromyalgia
• Gingivitis
• Headache
• Hiccough
• Incontinence
• Indigestion
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Low back pain
• Menopause
• Menstrual irregularities
• Migraine
• Morning sickness
• Nausea
• Osteoarthritis
• Pain
• PMS
• Pneumonia
• Reproductive problems
• Rhinitis
• Sciatica
• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
• Shoulder pain
• Sinusitis
• Sleep disturbances
• Smoking cessation
• Sore throat
• Stress
• Tennis elbow
• Tonsillitis
• Tooth pain
• Trigeminal neuralgia
• Urinary tract Infections
• Vomiting
• Wrist pain
NIH = National Institutes of Health

30. And has treated billions of people over the past 5,000 years.
Most of All…
Acupuncture Works
And has treated billions of people over the past 5,000 years.
No notes included here.

31. Center for Integrated Eastern Medicine, LLC
Thank You!
Offer educational information about acupuncture, and a free health pass for comprehensive evaluation.
A Health Pass is a great tool for getting prospective patients through your door. It’s a card that features special rates, freebies, discounts, consultations—whatever your heart desires. Not only that, but each time you hand one out, you are taking a stand for our profession, spreading the idea that health can be achieved naturally through acupuncture care. This alone should be enough to make you want to hand a Health Pass to everyone you meet.
You can use the Health Pass concept in a variety of ways. For example, your existing patients are your best source for referrals, and they would most likely welcome the opportunity to give their friends and family members a special offer from you. You can also hand them out at screenings and talks or provide them to your networking partners—the possibilities are endless.
Only have a limited amount available so when you offer them at the end of your presentation, your audience will know that they need to react now and that there is value to these passes.
Scot Somes, LAc., MSTCM
Center for Integrated Eastern Medicine, LLC