Back pain is a common condition that can affect people of all ages, lifestyles and occupations. Back pain can occur due to a variety of factors such as lifting something heavy at work, acquiring a sports injury or due to poor posture while sitting at your desk.
Acupuncture for back pain is a natural and holistic therapy that can complement and work in conjunction with western medicine treatments. Acupuncture focuses on overall well-being and looks to address any underlying issues that might contribute to back pain.
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese health system that has been used for centuries to help manage a variety of health conditions and symptoms including chronic pain. Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine sterile needles into specific areas of the body to promote the flow of ‘Qi’ which is referred to by Chinese medicine practitioners as the flow of energy through the body.
By inserting acupuncture needles into particular areas of the body acupuncturists aim to maximise blood flow and remove any obstructions that may be interrupting balance within the body.
It is believed that acupuncture can have an effect on pain relief by stimulating the central nervous system which may promote the release of pain relieving chemicals in the body.
Acupuncture may also assist to manage back pain by:
Research from 2015 concluded that “acupuncture as an adjunct to conventional therapy provides short-term clinically relevant improvements in pain and functional measures for the treatment of chronic low back pain”. The study did advise that more research was required to confirm the validity of the study.
Findings from a study in September 2025 that focused on men and women aged 65 and older suggested that “acupuncture needling provided greater improvements in back pain–related disability at 6 months and at 12 months compared with usual medical care alone. These findings support acupuncture needling as an effective and safe treatment option for older adults with chronic lower back pain.”
To maximise the potential benefits of acupuncture for back pain the following lifestyle factors may assist:
Acupuncture for back pain is a complementary therapy to consider if you are looking for a natural way to maximise your overall well-being.
To find out more about acupuncture for back pain contact us at the clinic on
