A recent National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded study has found that acupuncture significantly reduces chronic low back pain and disability in adults 65 and older, providing a potential alternative to traditional treatments like opioids. The trial, known as BackInAction, involved 800 participants aged 65 and older with a history of chronic back pain lasting at least three months. Participants were divided into three groups: those receiving usual medical care such as medications or physical therapy, those receiving up to 15 acupuncture treatments over three months, and those receiving up to 21 acupuncture treatments. The study found that both acupuncture groups experienced greater reductions in pain-related disability compared to the usual care group at six- and 12-month follow-ups. Additionally, acupuncture was associated with reduced pain intensity, improved physical function, and fewer anxiety symptoms.
The effectiveness of acupuncture, a traditional Chinese practice introduced to the US in the 1970s, highlights its potential as a less invasive treatment for older adults with multiple health issues. Lead study author Lynn DeBar noted that while the effect is modest, it is positive and sustained, indicating acupuncture could offer relief comparable to more familiar treatments. Co-lead researcher Andrea Cook emphasized that older adults often deal with additional medical problems alongside back pain. “Acupuncture offers a less invasive option that has a better safety profile than a lot of the common treatments for back pain in older adults,” Cook said in the release.
According to the NIH, the share of adults using acupuncture has risen from 1% in 2002 to 2.2% in 2022 — more than doubling over two decades. Over 72% of Americans who had the treatment used it for pain. These findings suggest that acupuncture may play an increasingly important role in managing chronic pain, particularly as more people seek alternatives to opioids and other traditional medical interventions.