Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical attention. It’s estimated that 80% of the world’s population will experience low back pain at some point in their lives. Although most episodes of back pain last less than 2 weeks, research shows recurrence rates can be as high as 50% in the first few months following the initial pain.
While there is no definitive way to resolve low back pain, the use of acupuncture has increased dramatically in recent years, motivated by controlled studies that validate it as a reliable method of pain relief. The results of a 2006 study published in the Clinical Journal of Pain provide further proof of acupuncture’s safety and effectiveness for low back pain, and patients maintained the pain relief they achieved for 6 months and longer with none of the negative side effects common to more typical pain modalities.