How effective is acupuncture for back pain?

Low back pain is an extremely common condition — but being common makes it no less painful. Many people reach a point of desperation with back pain and opt for pain medications or surgery, though these options carry serious risks. While some conditions do require more invasive treatment (such as back pain caused by fractures, or back pain associated with groin numbness or difficulty urinating), the vast majority of people who experience back pain can find relief through treatments like yoga, massage, and acupuncture.

In fact, the American College of Physicians changed its recommendations on the treatment of low back pain to reflect the dangers of medication use and the growing body of evidence supporting acupuncture and complementary therapies as first-line treatments for pain. Rather than initially recommending NSAIDs like ibuprofen, the ACP now advises that doctors refer patients to acupuncturists, massage therapists, or exercise practices integrating mindfulness (like yoga or tai chi). These therapies alleviate pain and speed the recovery of injured muscles and tendons without the risks of medications.

In my personal experience, people with low back pain tend to feel relief after our first acupuncture session, with full cessation of symptoms by the sixth to twelfth visit.