Acupuncture analgesia for chronic low back pain

Preliminary findings are presented of a double-blind, crossover trial comparing the effects of traditional with placebo acupuncture in relieving chronic low back pain. 77 patients completed the study. Following initial assessment and baseline readings, patients had a 4-week course of active or placebo treatment given twice weekly. After a 4 week rest period patients received the alternate treatment, using the same time schedule. A 4 week follow-up period completed the trial. Using visual analogue scale readings as a measure of pain there was no cumulative difference in pain reduction achieved by traditional as compared with placebo acupuncture treatment. Both groups achieved a 55% overall reduction in pain level at the end of the trial, compared with initial baseline readings.