Back pain · Scottsdale
Acupuncture for back pain in Scottsdale
Most back pain isn't one thing. It's a joint that got irritated, the muscles that tightened to protect it, and a nervous system that kept them tight. I treat all three.
90-min Spine Assessment · 3 take-home spine tools · 1:1 with Dr. Phil
Why it lingers
Bracing that outlasts the injury
Your lower back is a stack of five vertebrae, the discs between them, and layers of muscle that hold you upright: the deep multifidus close to the spine, the long erector muscles beside it, and the quadratus lumborum and psoas reaching to the pelvis and hip.
When something strains, those muscles brace. Bracing is useful for a few days. When it lasts for months, the bracing becomes the problem: stiff mornings, pain after sitting or driving, and a back that tightens at the first sign of load.
How I treat it
Four parts, one plan
- AssessmentHow you bend, turn and walk, what makes it worse, and which muscles are guarding. I also screen for anything that needs a physician first.
- ElectroacupunctureNeedles in the guarding muscles with a gentle pulse to help them let go. See how electroacupuncture works.
- Targeted bodyworkHands-on work on the specific tissues the exam found, at a pressure you can tolerate.
- Home careYour first spine visit includes three tools to keep: a cervical support, a wooden thoracic roller and a psoas release tool, with instruction.
Who it's for
This may be a good fit if you have
- Low back pain lasting more than a few weeks, or that keeps returning
- Stiffness after sitting, driving or sleeping
- Pain that started with golf, lifting, a new workout or a long flight
- Disc-related pain, once your doctor has ruled out anything urgent
- A wish to rely less on pain medication
- Leg pain or tingling that travels from the back
See a doctor first for new bladder or bowel problems, numbness in the groin, weakness in both legs, pain after a serious fall or accident, or back pain with fever. Call 911 in an emergency.
The Spine Care Program. For pain that's been around a long time, I offer a six-to-eight-week program: more visits early, fewer as you improve, with follow-ups at one and three months. Your first visit never signs you up.
Questions
Back pain FAQ
Can acupuncture help chronic low back pain?
Acupuncture is one of the most studied non-drug options for chronic low back pain, and several medical guidelines include it. Results vary by person; I'll tell you honestly after your assessment whether it's a good fit.
How soon will I notice a difference?
Many people notice easier movement within the first few visits. Long-standing pain usually needs a short series.
Do I need a referral?
No. If you're working with a physician, PT or chiropractor, I'm glad to coordinate.
What does the spine assessment cost?
$550 for 90 minutes, including about $150 in home-care tools. It's credited toward the Spine Care Program if you enroll within 14 days.
Where are you located?
10752 N 89th Pl, Suite A201, Scottsdale, AZ 85260, with free parking. Many patients come from Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills and North Phoenix.
Keep reading
Related care and articles
Find out what your back needs
90 minutes, $550. Counts toward the program if you join within 14 days.
