Acupuncture Treatments Effective for Low Back Pain
June 11th, 2009
People suffering from chronic low back pain who received acupuncture or simulated acupuncture treatments fared better than those receiving only conventional care, according to a recent study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. The trial was led by Daniel Cherkin, Ph.D., of Group Health Center for Health Studies in Seattle.
“Because of the lack of highly effective medical treatments for chronic low back pain, we were pleased to find that acupuncture-like treatments were helpful for persons suffering from chronic back pain,” said Cherkin.
The trial enrolled 638 adults with chronic low back pain who had never had acupuncture and who had rated the “bothersomeness” of their pain as at least a 3 on a 0-to-10 scale.
The participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups: Individualized acupuncture, involving a customized prescription for acupuncture points from a diagnostician; standardized acupuncture, using a single prescription for acupuncture points that experts consider generally effective for chronic low back pain; simulated acupuncture, which mimics needle acupuncture but does not involve actual penetration of the skin; or usual care, which is standard medical care.
The patients assigned to any of the three acupuncture groups (individualized, standardized or simulated) were treated twice weekly for three weeks, and then weekly for four weeks. At 8, 26 and 52 weeks, researchers measured back-related dysfunction and how much symptoms bothered participants.
The researchers found that at eight weeks the individualized, standardized and simulated acupuncture groups all improved their dysfunction scores significantly more than the group receiving usual care. These benefits persisted for one year, though diminished over time.
However, there was no significant difference between the groups receiving the needle and simulated forms of acupuncture. Thus, while acupuncture was found effective in treating low back pain, neither tailoring acupuncture needle sites to an individual patient nor penetrating the skin appears to be important for receiving therapeutic benefit.
“The findings of this research show that acupuncture-like treatments, including simulated acupuncture, can elicit positive responses,” said Josephine P. Briggs, M.D., director of NCCAM. “This adds to the growing body of evidence that there is something meaningful taking place during acupuncture treatments outside of actual needling. Future research is needed to delve deeper into what is evoking these responses.”
The researchers believe that further research is needed to determine the roles of patient expectancy, practitioner reassurance, the physiological effects of non-insertive stimulation, and other effects that may contribute to acupuncture-like benefits.
For information about acupuncture for the treatment of low back pain call Dr. Richard Browne, Acupuncture Physician, at (305) 595-9500.
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