Low Back Pain
Acupuncture is widely used to treat low back pain, a condition that affects 4 out of every 5 of us at some time in our lives.
Various trials and reviews have shown that acupuncture is an effective treatment for low back pain.1 2 3 However, some research suggests that actually having acupuncture needles inserted is more than important than where they are put. Not all acupuncturists would agree with this. I, myself, place considerable importance on my patient experiencing a sensation the Chinese call De Qi (pronounced 'De Chee'); this may be felt as a warmth, tingling, dull ache or numbness and is considered by many acupuncturists to be an important guide to the patient's response to acupuncture.
To treat low back pain, needles are usually inserted in the lower back in the region where pain is felt. Some acupuncturists will also insert needles in other points, for example in the arms and legs.
Low back pain usually requires at least 4-6 treatments to get on top of the pain, though longstanding pain may require longer treatments.
Low back pain usually requires at least 4-6 treatments to get on top of the pain, though longstanding pain may require longer treatments.
1. Haake M et al. German Acupuncture Trials (GERAC) for Chronic Low Back Pain. Archives of Internal Medicine 2007; 167(17): 1892-1898.
2. Furlan AD et al. Acupuncture and dry-needling for low back pain, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD001351. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001351.pub2.
3. Ernst E, White A. Acupuncture for back pain: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Archives of Internal Medicine 1998; 158: 2235-2241.
4. Low Back Pain: early management of persistent non-specific low back pain. NICE clinical guideline 88; May 2009.
2. Furlan AD et al. Acupuncture and dry-needling for low back pain, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD001351. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001351.pub2.
3. Ernst E, White A. Acupuncture for back pain: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Archives of Internal Medicine 1998; 158: 2235-2241.
4. Low Back Pain: early management of persistent non-specific low back pain. NICE clinical guideline 88; May 2009.
In 2009 the NICE (the National Institute for Clinical Excellence) recommended that all patients with low back pain should be offered a course of acupuncture, an exercise programme or a course of manual therapy.4