Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most common reasons for seeking medical attention. Numerous high-level studies have demonstrated that acupuncture is an effective method for relief of back pain.
Chinese Medicine always takes an individualised approach to treatment. It has an elaborate system of diagnostic analysis that adapts to the specific symptoms and body signs that any one person presents. The full range of Chinese Medicine skills including acupuncture, acupressure and Chinese herbal medicine offer a reputable treatment option for the management of pain.
Damian Carey, our Doctor of Chinese Medicine, has decades of experience treating patients with back pain.
Acute Low Back Pain: Level Two - Evidence of Potential Positive Effect Conditions with this level of evidence have moderate support of efficacy, but insufficient to make definitive conclusions. But please keep in mind that ‘insufficient evidence of efficacy’ is not the same thing as ‘evidence of lack of efficacy’!
Chronic Low Back Pain: Level One - Evidence of Positive Effect This level of evidence demonstrates consistent, statistically significant, positive effect.
Sciatic Pain: Level Two - Evidence of Potential Positive Effect Conditions with this level of evidence have moderate support of efficacy, but insufficient to make definitive conclusions. But please keep in mind that ‘insufficient evidence of efficacy’ is not the same thing as ‘evidence of lack of efficacy’!
Andronis L, Kinghorn P, Qiao S, Whitehurst DG, Durrell S, McLeod H. Cost-Effectiveness of Non-Invasive and Non-Pharmacological Interventions for Low Back Pain: a Systematic Literature Review. Applied Health Economics and Health Policy. 2016 Aug 22.
Chou R, Deyo R, Friedly J, Skelly A, Hashimoto R, Weimer M, et al. AHRQ Comparative Effectiveness Reviews. Noninvasive Treatments for Low Back Pain. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2016.
Lee JH, Choi TY, Lee MS, Lee H, Shin BC, Lee H. Acupuncture for acute low back pain: a systematic review. The Clinical Journal of Pain. 2013 Feb;29(2):172-85.
Liam M, Galvin R, Curry P. Effectiveness of acupuncture for nonspecific chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Spine. 2013 Nov 15;38(24):2124-38.
Liu L, Skinner M, McDonough S, Mabire L, Baxter GD. Acupuncture for low back pain: an overview of systematic reviews. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine: eCAM. 2015;2015:328196.
SIGN. Management of Chronic Pain (SIGN publication no. 136). Scottish Incollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN); 2013.
Taylor P, Pezzullo L, Grant SJ, Bensoussan A. Cost-effectiveness of Acupuncture for Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain. Pain Practice: the official journal of World Institute of Pain. 2014 Sep;14(7):599-606.
Wellington J. Noninvasive and alternative management of chronic low back pain (efficacy and outcomes). Neuromodulation: Journal of the International Neuromodulation Society. 2014 Oct;17 Suppl 2:24-30.