How successful is acupuncture for lower back pain?

The good news is chronic low back pain is one of the conditions that research suggests acupuncture may be an effective tool for treating. One recent review of 22 acupuncture studies showed that it provided short-term relief from chronic back pain.

How many sessions of acupuncture do you need for back pain?

The number of treatments you require will depend upon your rate of improvement. Patty Wang, a Denver acupuncturist who trained in China and has been practicing for over 40 years, says that over 90 percent of her back pain patients — both acute and chronic — improve after two or three treatments.

How long does acupuncture last for back pain?

How Long Does Each Session Last? Acupuncture sessions can last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the type of treatment you are receiving.

How long does it take for acupuncture to work for pain?

Acupuncture has a short term effect. The period of time you will feel its therapeutic benefits is around 3-4 days. If you are having it only and your problem isn’t chronic, you can have it once a week.

Is massage or acupuncture better for back pain?

If you are experiencing pain in specific parts of your body such as back pain, neck tension, or specific joints, acupuncture may be the better option as it offers a more focused approach to pain points. However, like previously mentioned, whether you get a massage before or after acupuncture really doesn’t matter.

Do doctors recommend acupuncture?

In conclusion, after decades of research and hundreds of acupuncture pain trials, including thousands of patients, we still have no clear mechanism of action, insufficient evidence for clinically worthwhile benefit, and possible harms. Therefore, doctors should not recommend acupuncture for pain.

Where are the acupuncture points for lower back pain?

The points are on each side of your spine, about 2 finger-widths away from the spine. On each side, find the space below the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra (spine in lower back) (L2). Directions: Use fingers or thumbs to apply deep pressure to the points.

Is acupuncture good for sciatica?

Acupuncture has been shown to be an effective treatment for sciatica without the side effects of prescription pain medications like NSAIDs and muscle relaxers. It is also a safe, non-surgical treatment option that can relieve sciatica pain.