Non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) definition:
Lower back pain that is of unknown cause that cannot be found on imaging studies or have known inflammatory cause (i.e. fractures, radicular issues, arthritis, spondyloarthropathy).
An overwhelming 90% of individuals who have lower back pain will have an unknown cause.
A recent systematic review of of several randomized control trials showed a significant difference between those patients who followed standard of care (as prescribed by allopathic physicians) for low back pain versus those who engaged in a combination of care including acupuncture with standard of care. Those who also used acupuncture had improvements in their pain scale along with their levels of disability.
Some of the studies reviewed also revealed that patients who suffered from low back pain who received acupuncture therapy reported a significant decrease in the medications they used after starting acupuncture.
Acupuncture and electroacupuncture is able to provide pain relief and a generalized sense of calm without additional use of medication.
Patients experiencing acupuncture usually have a minimal sense of pain from the placement of needles and at times can be painless in sensation.
Reference: “Effectiveness of Acupuncture for Nonspecific Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis” Medical Acupuncture Volume 34, Number 2, April 2022
