Acupuncture is recommended as one of Noninvasive Treatments for Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Low Back Pain: by A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians.

The American College of Physicians (ACP) has developed a clinical practice guideline for the noninvasive treatment of low back pain. The guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for the treatment of acute, subacute, and chronic low back pain. Acupuncture is recommended as one of the noninvasive treatments for low back pain.

For patients with acute or subacute low back pain, acupuncture treatment is recommended in conjunction with superficial heat, massage, or spinal manipulation. This is based on moderate-quality evidence. For patients with chronic low back pain, acupuncture is recommended in conjunction with exercise, multidisciplinary rehabilitation, mindfulness-based stress reduction, tai chi, yoga, motor control exercise, progressive relaxation, electromyography biofeedback, low-level laser therapy, operant therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, or spinal manipulation. This recommendation is also based on moderate-quality evidence.

Recent research has analyzed the data for acupuncture treatment for low back pain and supported the ACP guideline. One study analyzed 44 clinical trials with 8,338 procedures and suggested that acupuncture has better effects than sham treatment and other controls for chronic low back pain. Another study extracted data from 22 trials including 2,588 patients and suggested that acupuncture has a significantly superior effect on the reduction in chronic spinal pain and function improvement compared to no treatment, sham acupuncture, or conventional therapy such as medication, massage, and physical exercise. Yet another study assessed data from 25 trials with 7,587 participants and suggested that acupuncture was more effective at inducing pain relief and function improvement than no treatment and sham acupuncture.

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body. It has been used for centuries to treat a variety of conditions, including pain, stress, and anxiety.

Low back pain is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is a leading cause of disability and a significant contributor to healthcare costs. The ACP guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for the noninvasive treatment of low back pain to help patients and healthcare providers make informed decisions about their care.

The ACP guideline recommends acupuncture as one of the noninvasive treatments for low back pain based on the available evidence. The recommendation is based on the fact that acupuncture has been shown to be effective in reducing pain and improving function in patients with chronic low back pain. Acupuncture has also been found to be effective in reducing pain and improving function in patients with acute or subacute low back pain when used in conjunction with other noninvasive treatments.

The recent research findings further support the use of acupuncture for low back pain. The studies analyzed a large number of clinical trials and found that acupuncture has better effects than sham treatment and other controls for chronic low back pain. Acupuncture was also found to be more effective in inducing pain relief and function improvement than no treatment and sham acupuncture.

In conclusion, the ACP guideline recommends acupuncture as one of the noninvasive treatments for low back pain. The recommendation is based on the available evidence, which suggests that acupuncture is effective in reducing pain and improving function in patients with chronic low back pain. The recent research findings further support the use of acupuncture for low back pain. Patients and healthcare providers should consider acupuncture as a treatment option for low back pain, in conjunction with other noninvasive treatments.

References
Amir Qaseem et al Ann Intern Med. 2017 Apr 4;166(7):514-530.
Alice Baroncini et al J Orthop Surg Res. 2022; 17: 319.

Huang J-F et al Global Spine J. 2021;11:1248–1265. 

Yun-Xia Lil et al Acupunct Med. 2020 Aug;38(4):235-243.

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