Fake or Not, Acupuncture Helps Back Pain

Sept. 24, 2007 — -- The 31 million Americans who suffer from chronic back pain may be able to get relief from a surprising source: acupuncture.

But even more surprising may be the fact that sham acupuncture had a similar effect -- leading some to believe that relief from back pain may be more in the head.

A new study, published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine, finds that six months of acupuncture treatment is more effective at treating lower back pain than conventional methods like medications, exercise and physical therapy.