By Daria Belov
Chronic low back pain is a plague on America, and when it comes to its treatment, there is a long laundry list of therapies and approaches people rely on. A recent study published in the May issue of The Archives of Internal Medicine suggests that acupuncture is an effective treatment for chronic low back pain. However, the study noted an unusual finding, that penetration of the skin with needles was not required, in order for people to report improvement. Turns out acupuncture can be added to the long list of uses for the common toothpick.
(photo: Acupuncture for Low Back Pain – credit: NYCTCM)
The acupuncture trial on chronic low back pain was the largest randomized clinical trial of its kind, and it was funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, part of the US National Institutes of Health. The randomized study included four different groups involving 600 adults that suffered with chronic low back pain. The four group separations were: standardized acupuncture, individualized acupuncture, simulated acupuncture (non-penetrating), and usual care (in this case physical therapy). Those participating in the trial received 10 treatments over a seven week period, followed by dysfunction and symptom score reports, on each of the four acupuncture style groups.
There was a finding that medication use in all of the acupuncture groups decreased immediately and throughout the course of the next year. Nearly 2/3 of the patients were taking painkillers such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
The simulated acupuncture group didn’t involve breaking the skin with a needle. Instead, practitioners mimicked traditional needle acupuncture using a toothpick set up in a needle guide tube. Using the same pressure points that would be poked with needles, the practitioners applied pressure with the toothpicks, without breaking the patients skin.
According to the study, there were no cost savings for health plans, with treatments costing an estimated $600-$1200. The real surprise to researchers was the finding that acupuncture was effective even when the protocol used didn’t involve breaking the skin.
The Southern California University of Health Sciences has an on-campus acupuncture program, as well as a Doctor of Chiropractic graduate degree program. It’s one of the few chiropractic schools in the nation that offers certified training in acupuncture techniques.
Learn more about acupuncture from the U.S. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
planetc1.com-news @ 10:01 am | Article ID: 1242147703
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