Everyday Health: Acupuncture May Ease Chronic Low Back Pain Better Than Drugs

Everyday Health recently interviewed Andrew Bach, DO, a physiatrist with the Cedars-Sinai Spine Center, about a new study that showed older adults with lower back pain responded better to acupuncture for easing discomfort than to standard physical therapy and medications.

Acupuncture is an ancient form of Chinese medicine that involves inserting thin needles into the body to restore the flow of energy.

“Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years for good reason,” Bach said, noting that it’s useful for managing pain.

The clinical trial, which included 800 men and women 65 and older, divided participants into three groups. One group received physical therapy and prescription medication for pain; another received physical therapy, medication and acupuncture; and the third received only acupuncture.

The groups that received acupuncture reported less pain interfering with daily life, less intense pain overall, improved mobility and less anxiety compared with the group that received physical therapy and medication.

Bach, who was not involved in the study, told Everyday Health that despite these findings, “the ongoing question has been to what extent it helps and how strongly it should be recommended.”  

Bach noted that acupuncture’s effectiveness is difficult to measure because each practitioner uses different techniques. He also cautioned that patients who dislike needles might not take to acupuncture. Acupuncture might not be effective for those with active infections, Bach added.

While acupuncture is not the standard of care for chronic back pain, Bach said it could still be a good treatment option.

“Acupuncture for chronic low back pain is definitely worth a try, especially if you have tried the standard treatments and failed to find much relief.”

Read the complete article from Everyday Health.