Johns Hopkins Health Alerts | Back Pain - Osteoporosis |

Acupuncture For Back Pain Relief

This Health Alert is intended for readers interested in learning about the prevention, diagnosis, and management of back pain.

National Institutes of Health stated that for back pain, acupuncture "may be useful as an adjunct treatment."

Acupuncture comes from the traditional Chinese medical theory that pain or disease occurs when the body’s natural energies (chi) are out of balance. The Chinese believe that chi is conducted through the body along pathways called meridians, which intersect at specific points in the body. Stimulating these points through acupuncture needles is meant to correct the improper flow of chi—and relieve the disorder.

The needles used in acupuncture are as thin as a hair. In general, 10 to 15 of these needles are inserted into the back to treat pain. Sometimes the needles are stimulated with electricity or heat, or turned after insertion. Acupuncture may relieve pain by triggering nerves to send out natural, pain-blocking chemicals (endorphins) within the body. Pain relief, while common, is usually temporary.

Although a panel convened by the National Institutes of Health found few well-designed studies of acupuncture, they concluded that there was enough evidence of its value for further research. They also stated that for certain situations, such as back pain, acupuncture “may be useful as an adjunct treatment or an acceptable alternative or be included in a comprehensive management program.”

To find a reputable acupuncture practitioner, contact the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine ( www.nccaom.org), the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture (www.medicalacupuncture.org), the American Association of Oriental Medicine (www.aaom.org), or the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Alliance (www.aomalliance.org).

Johns Hopkins Health Alerts | Back Pain - Osteoporosis |

Acupuncture For Back Pain Relief