Low Back Pain Due To Multiple Causes

Approximately 80% of global opioid supply is consumed in the United States, although U.S. has only about 5% of the world's population. As concern about the wide-spread use of opioid pain medications grows, it is important that the many Americans who suffer from back pain know that they have an effective treatment option in acupuncture. In order to help people suffering from pain find long- term relief, acupuncture is one of the medical modalities recommended by the American College of Physicians (ACP) as an alternative to opioid drugs and surgery for back pain.

In the midst of the opioid crisis, Mr. Lane's story may bring hope to the people who are suffering from severe low back pain and narcotic dependence.

My name is Doug Lane. I have had back issues for most of my life. The last few years have been especially troubling. I was treated for frequent muscle spasms with physical therapy, muscle relaxers, and lidocaine rubs. This numbed the pain but did not treat the cause.

After an especially bad episode of back pain, my general practitioner took X-rays that revealed I had spondylolisthesis. This is where the L5 vertebra slips forward and over the S1 vertebra causing compression and significant pain. I was then referred to an orthopedic specialist. I was treated with steroid injections which covered the pain for 18 months. When the effectiveness of the injections wore off, the pain was greater than before.

I needed an MRI before further steroid injections. The MRI revealed spinal arthritis, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease and 3 bulging disc. This was in addition to the spondylolisthesis. I did not respond to further steroid injections. I was devastated and the pain was much worse.

I was then referred to the Specialty Pain Hospital for chronic pain. I was given narcotics (opiates) and naproxen which I took around the clock. These medications came with their own set of negative issues. At this point I took medical leave from work, was depressed, and angry.
Unable to face that life would be this way from now on, my husband looked for alternatives to hopefully relieve my pain. While on-line he discovered Dr. Li Lin of Southern Acupuncture and Herbology.

I was a little skeptical but willing to try anything. The first visit I arrived with a pain level of 5 ½-6. Li Lin explained that the first treatment may not last as long as acupuncture is cumulative. After the first Acupuncture treatment with Li Lin my pain level was 0. And for Three full days!
There after, I have gone for treatments twice a week for a couple of weeks and am now down to only once a week. I did not realize how badly the pain was until it was gone. My pain level has rarely been more than a 2 or 3. I am feeling so much better mentally as well as physically.
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Not only that, my use of narcotics(opiates) and Naproxen has grown less and less to where I no longer take them at all!

Li Lin is a true professional and well educated in her art. I have only great praise for Li Lin. She has definitely improved the lives of myself and my family as well as many others.