Lower back pain can take over your life very quickly.
If you’re struggling with lower back pain, hip pain, glute pain, or pain travelling down the leg, you can book a free 15-minute call with Lucy to see whether the Back Pain Reset Plan may be suitable for you.
I often see people come into my clinic with pain that is 8, 9, or even 10 out of 10. It can be hard to get in and out of the car, difficult to climb stairs, painful to sit, painful to stand, and sometimes even getting out of bed in the morning feels like a major ordeal.
One lady said to me recently that she hates getting into bed at night because she knows how hard it will be to get out again in the morning. She has to manoeuvre herself carefully, hold onto the side of the bed or the wall, and even getting up during the night to go to the toilet can feel dreadful.
That is the reality of lower back pain for many people.
At Galway Acupuncture Hub in Loughrea, Co. Galway, I support people with lower back pain, hip pain, glute pain, sciatica-type symptoms, stiffness, and pain that travels down the leg.
With over 25 years’ experience, I use acupuncture, cupping, heat, moxa, gentle movement advice, and NLP-informed strategies to help support the body, calm the pain response, and work towards getting you moving more comfortably again.
What Lower Back Pain Can Feel Like
Lower back pain does not always stay in the lower back.
People often describe pain:
- Deep in the lower back
- Across one side of the back
- Into the hip
- Into the glute or bottom
- Down the back of the leg
- Into the calf
- Into the foot
- Along the side of the leg
- Into the knee
- Into the top of the foot or toes
Some people describe it as sharp. Others describe it as gripping, burning, heavy, stiff, numb, or like pins and needles.
It can be painful to:
- Sit in the car
- Push the clutch or brake
- Get up from a chair
- Get out of bed
- Climb stairs
- Bend forward
- Walk normally
- Standing for too long
- Sleep comfortably
Sometimes movement helps. Sometimes it does not. Sometimes the pain is worse first thing in the morning. Sometimes it builds during the day.
This is why I always look at the full picture, not just the sore spot.
When Back Pain Keeps Coming Back
A lot of people I see have had lower back pain on and off for years.
They may have had an MRI showing wear and tear. They may have tried physio. They may have had an injection that helped for six months, a year, or even two years — but then the pain came back again.
That can be very frustrating, especially when you feel there is no real follow-up plan.
In clinic, I look at what may be keeping the pain loop going.
When pain has been there for a long time, the body can become very sensitive around that area. The nerves, muscles, tendons, and surrounding tissues can stay on high alert. The body starts to protect the area, but sometimes that protection becomes part of the problem.
The aim is not just to chase the pain. The aim is to help calm the system, reduce sensitivity where possible, and give the body a chance to settle.
My Approach to Lower Back Pain
When you come in for lower back pain, the first session takes about an hour.
I go through a full health history and ask questions such as:
- When did the pain start?
- Was there an injury or fall?
- Has it been coming and going for years?
- Where exactly is the pain?
- Does it travel down the leg?
- Is there numbness or pins and needles?
- What makes it better or worse?
- What have you already tried?
- What is your pain level out of 10?
I will ask you to show me exactly where the pain is using your hand or fingers. I may check movement, palpate areas of tension, and look at how the pain is affecting your hips, glutes, legs, calves, feet, abdomen, neck, shoulders and nervous system.
I do not always treat directly into the painful area. In fact, if the area is very sore, I may avoid needling there at first and use points away from the pain to support the body.
Many people are surprised when I use points in the hand, arm, elbow, shoulder, leg or foot to help support lower back pain. But the body is connected, and sometimes treating away from the painful area can be a gentler and more effective way to begin.
The Back Pain Reset Plan
For people with lower back pain, I offer a structured:
Back Pain Reset Plan
This is a 4-session treatment plan designed to give the body consistent support over a short period of time. The aim is to reduce pain as quickly and safely as possible, calm the area down, and begin breaking the pain loop.
Price
€70 per session
4 sessions: €280
Payment can be made upfront or in two parts
Health insurance note: acupuncture is commonly covered by many Irish private health insurance plans. You may be able to claim back part of your treatment cost, depending on your policy. Some clients can claim back up to half. Please check directly with your own provider.
Why Four Sessions Close Together?
When lower back pain is acute or severe, I usually prefer to see someone twice in the first week.
Stretching the sessions too far apart often does not work as well when the pain is high. The body needs repeated support close together so we can calm the pain response, reassess properly, and keep working with what is changing.
For many people, the rhythm is:
2 sessions in week one
2 sessions close together in week two
This can vary depending on the severity of the pain and how the body responds.
What Happens in the Four Sessions?
Session 1 — Assessment and First Treatment
We go through your full history, pain score, symptoms, movement, where the pain travels, and what you have already tried. Then you receive your first treatment.
Session 2 — Reassess and Treat Again
I check how your body responded after the first session. Has the pain reduced? Has movement changed? Is the pain travelling differently? Then I treat again and adjust the approach if needed.
Session 3 — Work Deeper Into the Pattern
By now, we are looking at the wider pattern. This may involve the back, hips, glutes, legs, calves, feet, abdomen, neck, shoulders, and nervous system. I may also begin adding simple movement or lifestyle strategies.
Session 4 — Review and Next Step. We review progress, treat again, and decide what is needed next.
Some people may be ready to stop. Some may need two more sessions. Some may benefit from maintenance treatment. If symptoms are not improving or something needs further investigation, I may refer you back to your GP.
I reassess every time I see you. If the treatment needs to change, I change it. If your body is responding well, we build on what is working.
Practical Strategies After Treatment
Treatment is one part of the plan. Long-term back support often needs practical strategies too.
Depending on the person, I may suggest gentle options such as:
- Walking
- Swimming
- Cycling
- Pilates
- Yoga
- Tai Chi
- Qigong
- Dancing
- Simple movement resets
- Nervous system calming strategies
The best plan is the one the person will actually do. There is no point in giving someone a routine they hate. We look at what suits your body, your lifestyle, and your stage of recovery.
When to Seek Medical Advice
If your lower back pain is sudden, severe, worsening, linked with trauma, numbness, weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, fever, unexplained weight loss, or if you are worried something serious is going on, please contact your GP or seek urgent medical advice.
Acupuncture can support many people with lower back pain, but it does not replace medical care where that is needed.
Book a Free Call
If you are struggling with lower back pain, sciatica-type symptoms, hip pain, glute pain, or pain travelling down the leg, you can book a free 15-minute call with me.
We can talk through what is happening, how long it has been going on, what you have already tried, and whether the Back Pain Reset Plan may be suitable for you.
Not sure where to start – Book a free call with Lucy:
Or call: 087 227 3084
Ready to begin? You can also book your first treatment directly. Book Your Back Pain Reset Appointment Here
Galway Acupuncture Hub is based in Loughrea, Co. Galway, supporting clients from Loughrea, Ballinasloe, Gort, Portumna, and surrounding areas.
FAQs
Can acupuncture help lower back pain?
Acupuncture may help support lower back pain by calming pain sensitivity, easing muscular tension, supporting circulation, and helping the nervous system settle. Results vary, and the response depends on the person, the severity of the pain, and how long it has been there.
How many sessions will I need?
For lower back pain, I usually recommend starting with the 4-session Back Pain Reset Plan. The aim is to give the body consistent support close together, especially if the pain is acute or severe. After four sessions, we review whether you need to stop, continue, move to maintenance, or seek further medical input.
What if my pain is going down my leg?
Pain travelling into the glute, leg, calf, foot or toes can happen with lower back and sciatica-type patterns. I will ask where the pain travels, whether there is numbness or pins and needles, and how it affects movement. If symptoms suggest something that needs medical review, I will recommend contacting your GP.
Do you needle directly into the sore area?
Not always. If the area is very painful, I often use acupuncture points away from the pain, such as points in the hands, arms, legs or feet. This can be a gentler way to begin supporting the body.
Can I claim acupuncture through health insurance?
Many Irish private health insurance policies cover acupuncture, depending on your provider and plan. Some clients can claim back part of the cost, sometimes up to half. Please check your own policy directly.
How much does the Back Pain Reset Plan cost?
The plan is four sessions at €70 per session, so the total is €280. There is no discount, but payment may be made upfront or in two parts.
Where are you based?
Galway Acupuncture Hub is based in Loughrea, Co. Galway, and supports clients from Loughrea, Ballinasloe, Gort, Portumna, and nearby areas.