Back Pain Acupuncture: A Summary of Recent Research

Back pain is a common condition with many Australians seeking healthcare to manage symptoms. People can experience different types of back pain including chronic back pain, a strain caused by an injury at work or playing sport or back pain caused by lifestyle factors.

Acupuncture for back pain is becoming more popular among people looking for a natural and holistic therapy that can complement western treatments. There has been recent research on back pain acupuncture that outlines potential benefits.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general educational purposes and should not be considered as medical advice. The findings referenced in this blog may vary from person to person and the efficacy of acupuncture therapy for back pain can depend on a variety of factors.

The purpose of this blog is to discuss recent research on acupuncture for back pain and some of the potential benefits. Research can be limited in some cases and you should always consult your GP or a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about your health or any new treatments.

Acupuncture vs Medication for Acute/Subacute Non-Specific Low Back Pain

A meta-analysis from 2024 compared acupuncture therapy with oral medications for people with acute or subacute non-specific low back pain. The results of the study indicated that ‘acupuncture therapy was slightly more effective than oral medication in improving pain’. 

Key Findings: 

  • ‘Acupuncture therapy was slightly more effective than oral medication in improving pain’
  • ‘Acupuncture was associated with a 12% improvement rate when compared to oral medication for patients with acute or subacute non-specific low back pain (NSLBP).’  
  • ‘Acupuncture is more effective and safer than oral medication in treating acute/subacute NSLBP.’

What it means for patients with acute/Subacute Non-Specific Low Back Pain: 

  • The meta-analysis suggests that acupuncture may be a viable alternative therapy, particularly for people wanting to avoid medication

Acupuncture Combined with Exercise For Low Back Pain

An interesting study from 2024 focused on combining acupuncture with core muscle exercises for chronic non-specific low back pain. 

Key Findings:  

  • This meta analysis of 11 randomised trials (727 patients) found that combining acupuncture therapy with core muscle exercise improved pain levels and  mobility compared to exercise only. 
  • The combination of acupuncture and core muscle exercise provided improvements in pain scores (visual analog pain scale and numerical rating scale).  

What it means for patients with chronic non-specific back pain: 

  • Acupuncture therapy in combination with core muscle exercises has had favourable clinical outcomes and may have benefits for some patients 
  • The analysis did state that a larger sample of trials is required to provide ‘more reliable conclusions.’   

Acupuncture for Chronic Low Back Pain in Older Adults

In September 2025 a clinical trial was conducted to review if acupuncture was an effective treatment for older adults with chronic low back pain.  The study included 800 adult participants aged 65 or older, all with chronic low back pain. 

Key Findings: 

  • Improved disability scores – reductions in disability related to chronic low back pain compared to usual care. 
  • Pain and function improvement – participants receiving acupuncture reported a reduction in pain intensity and improved physical function compared to participants with usual care. 
  • Longer lasting effects – benefits persisted from 6 months to 12 months, indicating that acupuncture may provide longer term relief. 

What it means for older adults with chronic low back pain: 

  • The findings ‘suggest that acupuncture needling provided greater improvements in back pain–related disability at 6 months and at 12 months compared with usual medical care  alone.’
  • The analysis also supports ‘acupuncture needling as an effective and safe treatment option for older adults with chronic low back pain’.

Summary of Research Findings

Recent studies show promising evidence that acupuncture may help to reduce back pain and improve mobility, particularly for people with chronic lower back pain.

 However, it’s important to acknowledge that the quality of current research can vary. More recent trials are more rigorous than older studies but  some limitations remain, including small sample sizes. 

Taking all of this into account,  acupuncture for back pain can be considered as  a potential therapeutic option that can form a key component of a  broader back-pain management plan.  

Results may vary for different people, but acupuncture may be an option if you are seeking a natural, drug-free  and non-invasive therapy that can work alongside and perhaps complement western medicine treatments. 

To find out more about acupuncture for back pain contact us at the clinic on 

0403 524 893

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