Acupuncture boosts pain relief for chronic low back pain
News briefs
- Reviewed by Robert H. Shmerling, MD, Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
For more than one-third of people ages 65 and older, low back pain becomes a chronic problem, meaning it persists for three months or more. Treatment often includes pain medications, physical therapy, and spinal injections. Another potential treatment is acupuncture.
A study published Sept. 12, 2025, in JAMA Network Open examined the effectiveness of acupuncture for people 65 and older with chronic, nonspecific low back pain (that is, pain without a single, identifiable cause). For the study, 800 participants were divided into three groups. All three groups were given the usual medical care for back pain, such as pain relievers and physical therapy. One of the groups also received standard acupuncture, which consisted of eight to 15 treatment sessions over 12 weeks. A third group received usual medical care, standard acupuncture for 12 weeks, plus four to six additional acupuncture sessions over the next 12 weeks.
After six months and again at the one-year mark, people in both acupuncture groups reported greater pain relief and better function compared with those who had only the usual medical care. There were no significant differences between the two acupuncture groups.
Image: © Mike Harrington/Getty Images
About the Author
Lynne Christensen, Staff Writer
About the Reviewer
Robert H. Shmerling, MD, Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
