Landmark study confirms acupuncture is a potent remedy for back pain
By avagrace // 2025-09-18
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  • A new NIH-funded study in JAMA Network Open found that acupuncture provides superior and sustained relief from chronic low back pain for adults over 65 compared to standard medical care alone.
  • The rigorous "BackInAction" trial followed 800 older adults for a year, with groups receiving either a course of acupuncture, acupuncture plus maintenance sessions, or only usual care (like pain medication or physical therapy).
  • Participants who received acupuncture reported significantly greater reductions in pain-related disability and pain intensity, as well as improved physical function and fewer anxiety symptoms, at both the six and twelve-month marks.
  • The research highlights acupuncture as a safe, evidence-based, non-pharmaceutical alternative to opioid painkillers, with a superior safety profile and very few adverse effects for this vulnerable population.
  • Despite its eligibility for Medicare coverage, a significant barrier to treatment remains due to logistical hurdles in billing; the authors argue that improving access is crucial for the millions of older Americans who could benefit.
In a significant development for millions of Americans, a new study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that acupuncture provides superior and sustained relief for chronic low back pain in older adults compared to standard medical care alone. The research, funded by the National Institutes of Health, offers a compelling, non-pharmaceutical alternative at a time when the nation is grappling with an epidemic of chronic pain and the dangers of opioid dependence. "Acupuncture is a treatment that involves inserting fine needles into specific points on the body," said Brighteon.AI's Enoch. "It works by stimulating these points to regulate the flow of Qi (vital energy) and blood, restoring balance to the body's systems. This process helps the body's natural healing mechanisms, effectively treating various conditions."

The BackInAction trial: A rigorous examination

The clinical trial, named BackInAction, enrolled 800 participants aged 65 and older who had suffered from persistent low back pain for at least three months. This demographic is critically important, as chronic low back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide and affects over one-third of older adults in the United States. The study was designed to test whether manual acupuncture — a technique eligible for Medicare coverage — could measurably improve function and reduce pain. (Related: Before you reach for pain medication, have you considered acupuncture?.) Participants were divided into groups. One-third received up to 15 acupuncture treatments over three months. Another third received those initial treatments plus an additional six maintenance sessions over the following three months. The final control group received only usual medical care, which typically consists of prescribed pain medications or physical therapy. The researchers then tracked the participants' progress over a full year.

Measuring success beyond the needle

The study's findings were based on detailed self-assessments provided by the participants at three, six and twelve-month intervals. They rated their pain and physical limitations, agreeing or disagreeing with statements about everyday activities hindered by their back pain. This provided a disability score, offering a clear, patient-centered view of their quality of life. The results were unambiguous. At both the six and twelve-month marks, the groups that received acupuncture reported significantly greater reductions in pain-related disability and pain intensity than the group that received usual care alone. They also experienced greater physical function and, notably, fewer symptoms of anxiety. The benefits were sustained, indicating that acupuncture provides more than just a temporary respite.

A response to a national crisis

This research matters profoundly today because it addresses a dual crisis: the pervasive burden of chronic pain and the urgent need for safe, non-addictive treatment options. For decades, the medical establishment's first line of defense often involved prescribing potent painkillers, a practice that contributed to the devastating opioid epidemic. While physical therapy is a common alternative, its effectiveness can be modest and access can be limited. The findings from the BackInAction trial present acupuncture not as a fringe alternative but as a legitimate, evidence-based mainstream treatment. The lead researcher noted that while most conventional treatments offer a modest effect, often reducing pain by about one-third at best, acupuncture performed just as well, if not better, with a positive and sustained impact. This challenges outdated skepticism and aligns with a growing body of evidence supporting the therapy's efficacy.

Overcoming historical skepticism

The positive results of this study gain even greater weight when viewed against a history of academic debate. For years, a common argument against acupuncture relied on a narrow interpretation of older medical reviews, which sometimes claimed a lack of clinically important effects beyond a placebo. However, this perspective often overlooked important nuances and more recent, high-quality research. Previous Cochrane reviews, which are considered the gold standard for systematic medical reviews, have already indicated acupuncture's effectiveness for chronic low-back pain, noting it relieves pain and improves function better than no treatment or sham treatment. Furthermore, updates to these reviews incorporating newer studies have consistently strengthened the case for acupuncture, showing significant benefits for conditions like neck pain, migraines and tension-type headaches. This new study on older adults adds a critical, high-quality data point to this evolving narrative.

Safety, access and the path forward

A paramount finding of the study was its outstanding safety profile. Researchers reported very few adverse effects, a crucial consideration for older adults who often manage multiple health conditions and are more vulnerable to the side effects of pharmaceuticals. Acupuncture offers a less invasive option with a superior safety profile compared to many common drug treatments. However, the study's authors highlight a significant barrier: access. While acupuncture is eligible for Medicare coverage, practitioners often cannot bill the program directly, creating a logistical and financial hurdle for patients. The researchers argue that streamlining this process could greatly improve access to this effective treatment for the millions of older Americans who need it. This rigorous, pragmatic trial focused on a vulnerable and large population delivers a powerful message. It provides robust evidence that acupuncture is a safe, effective and durable treatment for chronic low back pain in older adults. It affirms what a multitude of previous studies have suggested and pushes back against reductive criticisms. For an aging population in desperate need of better options, this research is more than just data — it is a pathway to improved quality of life and a call to modernize the approach to pain management. Watch as the Health Ranger Mike Adams discusses acupuncture as an aid for pain cure. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Acupuncture really works for lower back pain: Research. Acupuncture Beats Western Medicine for Treating Low Back Pain. Effectiveness of acupuncture for back pain increases with time. Jump for joy - Chronic low back pain relieved with acupuncture. Acupuncture Reduces Back Pain Better than Drugs, Exercise. Sources include:  MedicalXpress.com Brighteon.ai Nih.gov Brighteon.com
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