Relieve Chronic Shoulder and Lower Back Pain! Feel Refreshed with the Synergistic Effects of Acupuncture and Oil Massage

Today, a female patient in her mid-50s visited our clinic. She works as a caregiver and often has night shifts, which puts a significant strain on her body. She has a history of lumbar disc herniation and sciatica and also suffers from migraines.

I first treated her about a year ago. At that time, she seemed a bit shy, rarely making eye contact and having a slightly hunched posture, which gave the impression that she was tense. However, she was quite accustomed to medical interviews and could clearly describe her symptoms, which made it easy to understand her condition.

She does not usually express her stress verbally, but during the treatment, she occasionally shares her struggles, such as "It's been tough because we're short-staffed due to infections among the staff," "Lifting heavier patients is really hard on my back," and "More desk work due to a new system has made my job even busier."

The Importance of Regular Treatment

Physical discomfort is difficult to completely eliminate with just one session, and the accumulated strain from daily life can cause symptoms to return. That is why regular treatment is crucial in preventing chronic shoulder stiffness and lower back pain and in preventing fatigue from building up.

This patient comes in every three weeks, making time to care for her body after taking a nap following a night shift. Initially, she was more concerned about her chronic shoulder stiffness, but in the past six months, her lower back pain has become more troubling. Through regular sessions, she has been able to address these issues before they worsen, reducing the strain that her job places on her body.

The Synergistic Effects of Acupuncture and Oil Massage

For her treatment, she chooses a combination of acupuncture and oil massage, with an added option of sliding cupping. This has proven to be the most effective combination for her.

• Acupuncture: Stimulates pressure points to relieve deep stiffness in the shoulders and lower back and improve blood circulation.

• Oil Massage: Following acupuncture, an oil massage helps relax the surface muscles and alleviate overall body tension.

• Sliding Cupping: Promotes better blood circulation and reaches deep muscle layers.

• Low-Frequency Electrical Stimulation: Helps release tightness in the neck, shoulders, and lower back.

Since she is accustomed to acupuncture, she requests a strong treatment. As soon as the session begins, she quickly relaxes and falls asleep, indicating how much her body needs rest.

Post-Treatment Changes and Trust Building

After each session, she honestly shares how she feels about any lingering discomfort. This time, we focused on her lower back, and after the treatment, she said, "The heaviness in my lower back feels so much lighter now!" Her expression softened with relief. She also mentioned, "Today, I feel especially refreshed," which left a strong impression on me.

By coming in regularly, a natural trust has developed between us. At first, she avoided eye contact, but now she shares her post-treatment impressions with a calm and relaxed expression. Being able to provide a space where she can relax both physically and mentally is incredibly rewarding.

Maintain Your Body with Regular Care

For this patient, the goal is not complete recovery but rather maintaining her body and dedicating time to self-care every three weeks. I feel honored that she entrusts us with that role.

Caregiving is physically demanding, and fatigue can build up without notice. Through regular care, we aim to help her live more comfortably. If you suffer from chronic shoulder stiffness or lower back pain, we highly recommend experiencing the combined effects of acupuncture and oil massage. Feel free to reach out whenever you feel discomfort—we're here to help!