A new study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has found that acupuncture can help older adults with chronic low back pain improve their physical function and reduce their pain more than usual medical care alone.
This is a significant finding because low back pain is the leading cause of disability around the world and affects over one-third of older adults in the United States.
Many treatments exist, such as painkillers and physical therapy, but there is a growing need for safe, effective, and non-addictive options.
The clinical trial, called BackInAction, involved 800 people aged 65 and older who had experienced low back pain for at least three months. These participants continued their usual medical care and were divided into three groups.
One group received up to 15 acupuncture sessions over three months. Another group received the same treatment plus an extra six maintenance sessions over the following three months. The third group received only their usual medical care.
Acupuncture is a treatment that originated in traditional East Asian medicine. It involves inserting very thin needles into specific points on the body. It is believed to help reduce pain and improve body function.
While acupuncture is known to be safe and helpful for back pain in adults, there has been little research focused specifically on people aged 65 and older.
Participants completed surveys at three different times—after three, six, and twelve months—answering questions about their pain, daily activities, mood, and general physical health. Their answers were used to assess their level of disability and how much their back pain affected their lives.
The results showed that those who received acupuncture had more improvement in their pain and physical function at six and twelve months than those who did not receive acupuncture.
They also reported less pain and fewer limitations in daily activities. Furthermore, those who received acupuncture had fewer symptoms of anxiety compared to those who only received standard medical care.
Lead researcher Dr. Lynn DeBar of Kaiser Permanente said that while many treatments for back pain only have modest effects, acupuncture worked just as well as more commonly known treatments and had lasting benefits.
Dr. Andrea Cook, a co-lead researcher, added that the treatment was safe and did not cause many side effects, which is especially important for older adults who often have other health conditions.
One unique aspect of the study is that it focused entirely on older adults and included people from different parts of the country. The study used licensed acupuncturists from local communities, making it more realistic and practical.
The researchers also noted that if acupuncturists could bill Medicare directly, it might improve access to acupuncture for older adults.
In conclusion, this study suggests that acupuncture is a safe and effective option for older adults dealing with chronic low back pain. It may offer long-term benefits not only for pain but also for physical functioning and mental well-being.
The study is published in JAMA Network Open.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
