— Acupuncture · Geneva & Veyrier —
Back pain: lower back pain, lumbago, sciatica, locked back
Lower back pain, a thrown-out back, a back that locks when you wake up, pain running into the buttock or leg, low back pain that returns every time you exert yourself: acupuncture, Tui-Na massage and cupping can relieve lower back pain and help you move freely again, alongside your doctor’s care.
✓ RME & ASCA recognised · Covered by some complementary insurers · First appointment within 48h
Does this sound like you?
Symptoms of lower back pain
The pain sits low in the back, around the belt line, sometimes on one side only. It can be a dull, constant ache, or strike suddenly with a movement: you bend down to pick something up, and your back locks. The muscles on either side of the spine feel hard and tight.
Straightening up, bending forward, putting on your socks or getting out of bed becomes difficult. In the morning, your back is stiff and slow to loosen up. Sitting for long periods at your desk or in the car makes the pain build, and you keep shifting position. Sometimes the pain runs into the buttock, down the back of the thigh or all the way to the foot.
Often, you end up limiting your movements for fear of putting your back out again: you avoid lifting, stop exercising, sleep badly. Anti-inflammatories or stretches help for a while, then the pain returns with the next effort or the next stressful period.
The back pain I treat
These are the situations I see most often in my practice. Every back is different, so every treatment is tailored to you.
Lumbago
Thrown-out back, locked back, acute low back pain
“I bent down to pick something up and got stuck. I couldn’t straighten up.”
Chronic low back pain
Lower back pain, lumbar pain
“My lower back has hurt for months. It gets better, then comes back as soon as I lift something or I’m tired.”
Sciatica
Buttock and leg pain, sciatic nerve
“It starts in my lower back, pulls in my buttock and runs down the back of my thigh, sometimes all the way to my foot.”
Herniated disc
Slipped disc, bulging disc, disc disease
“The MRI showed a herniated disc. I’m afraid of making the wrong move and I no longer know what I’m allowed to do.”
Stiff back in the morning
Lower back stiffness, spinal arthritis
“In the morning I get out of bed like a robot. It takes a good half hour before my back loosens up.”
Back pain from sitting at a desk
Prolonged sitting, driving, working from home
“After an hour sitting down, I can’t keep still. I get up, I fidget, and by the end of the day my whole lower back is burning.”
More pain between the shoulder blades, in the neck or trapezius? See the dedicated page →
Understanding
What causes back pain?
In the vast majority of cases, low back pain is mechanical and muscular, and not serious. The most common causes:
- an awkward movement: bending while twisting, lifting a badly placed load, carrying a child, often the trigger for lumbago;
- prolonged sitting: office work, working from home, long car journeys, which tire the lower back muscles;
- stress and fatigue: they keep the muscles tense and make the back more sensitive;
- too little movement, or returning to sport too quickly (running, skiing, golf, weight training);
- wear and tear of the discs and vertebrae (herniated disc, lumbar arthritis), which can irritate the sciatic nerve.
When your back hurts, you move less and tense up for fear of the pain. The muscles stiffen, circulation slows and the pain keeps itself going. Chinese medicine describes this as stagnation in the kidneys and lower back, often made worse by cold, fatigue and stress. The aim of treatment is to break that cycle so you can move again.
My approach
Acupuncture for low back pain and sciatica
Several international medical guidelines list acupuncture among the non-drug options to consider for chronic low back pain. In my practice, I work both on the tight muscles and on what keeps the pain going: stress, sleep and fatigue. Depending on your needs, several techniques are combined in the same session at no extra cost.
Acupuncture
Fine, sterile, single-use needles placed on the lower back, the buttocks and distant points on the legs, to reduce pain and release tight muscles.
Tui-Na massage
A deep therapeutic massage of the lower back, buttock and hip muscles that releases knots and restores flexibility.
Cupping & moxibustion
Cupping on the lower back boosts circulation in tense tissue. The warmth of moxa is especially welcome when the back is stiff and sensitive to cold.
How it works
Your care, step by step
01
The assessment
A first consultation of 60 to 90 min: where the pain is, which positions make it worse, your workstation, sleep, stress, physical activity, any scans (X-ray, MRI).
02
The first treatment
You receive a tailored treatment from the very first session, and leave with a few simple tips for your back in everyday life.
03
Follow-up
Sessions of 50 to 60 min, adjusted as you progress. We review things together, honestly, after a few sessions.
First consultation CHF 144 · Follow-up CHF 120 · Discovery Pack 3 sessions CHF 350. See all prices →
Everyday tips
How to relieve back pain before your session
Keep moving
Even with lumbago, complete bed rest often slows recovery. Walk a little, several times a day, at your own pace and without pushing through the pain.
Use heat
A hot water bottle on the lower back or a warm shower helps tight muscles relax. Keep your lower back covered when it’s cold.
Change position
At the office, stand up every 30 to 45 minutes. To get out of bed, roll onto your side first, then push up with your arms. Your back likes movement more than perfect posture.
Important
When to see a doctor first
Acupuncture complements conventional medicine; it does not replace it. See your doctor promptly if your back pain comes with:
- a recent fall, accident or impact;
- fever or unexplained weight loss;
- weakness in a leg, a foot that “drops”, or spreading pins and needles;
- numbness around the groin, or problems passing urine or stools;
- upper back pain with chest tightness or shortness of breath;
- pain that does not ease with rest, especially at night;
- a history of cancer or osteoporosis.
In an emergency, call 144.
FAQ
Your questions about low back pain and lumbago
What is the difference between low back pain, lumbago and sciatica?
Low back pain covers any pain in the lower back. Lumbago is acute low back pain that comes on suddenly, often after an awkward movement, and locks the back. Sciatica is pain that follows the path of the sciatic nerve: it runs into the buttock and down the leg.
How long does lumbago last?
Most acute low back pain improves clearly within a few days to a few weeks. A prompt session can help you get through it more comfortably: call for an appointment within 48 hours. If the pain lasts more than 4 to 6 weeks or keeps coming back, talk to your doctor as well.
Can acupuncture help with a herniated disc or sciatica?
Acupuncture does not make a herniated disc disappear, but it can reduce pain and relax the muscles that tighten around it to protect the back. Many herniated discs improve over time. Acupuncture fits well alongside care from your doctor or physiotherapist.
Acupuncture, osteopath or physio: which to choose for your back?
These approaches complement each other. Acupuncture works on pain and tension, and also takes into account stress and sleep, which are often linked to back pain. It combines very well with physiotherapy.
Does acupuncture hurt?
The needles are very fine, much finer than a blood-test needle. You may feel a slight tingle or heaviness, and most people find the session relaxing.
I have back pain during pregnancy. Can you help?
Yes, with a protocol adapted to pregnancy. Mention it when you book, and talk to your gynaecologist or midwife as well.
How many sessions do I need for low back pain?
It depends on how long you have had the pain and how intense it is. Recent lumbago usually needs fewer sessions than chronic low back pain that has lasted for years. We review regularly, with no commitment beyond what is useful.
Are sessions covered by insurance?
Treatments are recognised by complementary insurers approved by ASCA and RME, as well as by international insurance providers. Please check your coverage with your insurer. A solidarity rate can also be offered, in complete confidence.
A pain free back, and moving without fear
Lumbago, chronic low back pain or sciatica: book your first session online, or call me if you have a question. I will tell you honestly whether I can help.
✓ RME & ASCA recognised · 76 rue de Carouge, Geneva & 97 chemin des Rasses, Veyrier