Patient: A 32-year-old female presented with lower back pain that had been affecting her running performance. She had a history of lower back pain and had seen a chiropractor in the past, but the pain had returned after she resumed her running routine. She reported that the pain was dull and achy and intensified during long-distance running.
Assessment: Upon examination, the acupuncturist observed that the patient had tightness and tenderness in the muscles around her lower back, particularly in the lumbar area. The acupuncturist diagnosed the patient with lumbar muscle strain, which is a common injury among runners due to overuse and poor posture.
Treatment: The acupuncturist developed a treatment plan that involved inserting needles into specific points on the patient’s lower back and legs along with some on the arms. The needles were left in place for approximately 20 minutes during each session. The acupuncturist also recommended that the patient modify her running routine for a few weeks and keep workouts light. The patient was sent home with Patrick (PEMF) and instructed to run the Runner’s Back program 5 days a week at home.
Results: After six acupuncture sessions, the patient reported significant improvement in her lower back pain. She was able to run without experiencing pain, and her running performance had improved. The patient continued to receive acupuncture treatments twice a week for a total of twenty sessions. She also continued to use Patrick at home during the week. She experienced continued to improve every week. At the end of the treatment course, the patient reported that she was pain-free and had regained her full running capacity.
Conclusion: Acupuncture is an effective treatment for runner’s back pain caused by lumbar muscle strain. By targeting specific points on the body, acupuncture helps to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and promote healing of soft tissue injuries.