a patient receiving treatment

Acupuncture and Lower Back Pain

July 07, 20252 min read

Can Acupuncture Help Back Pain?

Many people suffer from back pain, especially in the lower back. It can affect daily life, work, and sleep. Some people try acupuncture to ease their pain, but does it really work?

Here is what this blog will cover:

  • What acupuncture is and how it’s used for back pain.

  • What researchers found about acupuncture for back pain.

  • Whether acupuncture can help with short-term or long-term back pain.

This blog explains what the research says about acupuncture for back pain, using simple and easy-to-understand language.

What Did the Research Study?

To find out if acupuncture really works for back pain, researchers looked at many studies from around the world.

Here is what they did:

  • They reviewed 33 different studies that tested acupuncture for low back pain.

  • These studies included people with both:

    • Short-term back pain (pain lasting a few weeks).

    • Long-term back pain (pain lasting for months or years).

  • They compared acupuncture to:

    • No treatment

    • Other treatments like medicine or physical therapy.

What they measured:

  • Pain levels

  • Ability to move and do daily activities

  • Overall improvement

  • Return to work

  • Use of pain medicine

This helped them understand how well acupuncture works for back pain.

 

Does Acupuncture Help with Chronic (Long-Term) Back Pain?

The research showed that acupuncture can help people with chronic (long-term) low back pain.

Here’s what they found:

  • People who had acupuncture felt less pain than those who got fake treatments or no treatment at all.

  • Acupuncture also helped improve how well people could move and do everyday activities.

  • However, acupuncture did not work better than other treatments like:

    • Medicines

    • Physical therapy

       

someone receiving acupuncture

Key Takeaway from the Study

After looking at many studies, researchers shared these main points about acupuncture for low back pain:

  • Acupuncture works well for long-term (chronic) back pain.

  • It helps reduce pain and makes daily activities easier.

  • However, it doesn’t work better than other treatments like:

    • Medicines

    • Physical therapy

Should You Try Acupuncture for Back Pain?

Acupuncture can be a helpful choice for people with long-term back pain. It may ease pain and improve movement. However, it works about the same as other treatments like medicine or physical therapy.

Remember:
Always speak with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment.

 

We would love to hear from you!

  • Have you tried acupuncture for back pain?

  • Did it work for you?

Share your thoughts or experiences in the comments below!
If you found this post helpful, please share it with others who may benefit.

 

 

FLORYNCE

Executive Assistant (Total Therapy London)

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