Cochrane review of reviews
A Cochrane review of reviews has just been published which looked at non‐pharmacological and non‐surgical treatments for low back pain. Full title: Non‐pharmacological and non‐surgical treatments for low back pain in adults: an overview of Cochrane reviews [1]
The data shows that acupuncture reduces pain and improves function for those with chronic low back pain. Placebo acupuncture controls are not inert, and the acupuncture delivered in clinical trials is often not tailored to the individual, unlike the personalised treatments delivered by a traditional acupuncturist. Consequently, the actual benefits of acupuncture are likely to be underestimated. Please see our research page and fact sheet on back pain for a detailed explanation of these issues.
Acupuncture is increasingly being drawn closer to mainstream healthcare in a number of countries. For example, acupuncture is now:
- statutory regulated in Australia, New Zealand, and Portugal
- included as a treatment option within German and New Zealand healthcare insurance systems
- recommended in clinical guidelines [2]
This Cochrane review of reviews provides further evidence that acupuncture should be more widely available for those with chronic pain. Acupuncture does not have the negative side effects of some other treatment options, and acupuncture has been shown to be a safe intervention when provided by properly trained practitioners [3-5].
Find a trusted traditional acupuncturist from the British Acupuncture Council
The British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) guarantees high standards of training, safe practice and professional conduct. By choosing a BAcC Member, you ensure that you will find an acupuncturist who:
- has extensive training – minimum three years degree level – with relevant western medicine including anatomy and physiology and thorough training in the traditional approach
- adheres to the BAcC codes of safe practice and professional conduct
- is compliant with current health and safety legislation
- has full cover for medical malpractice and public/products liability
- undertakes mandatory continuing professional development to keep knowledge and skills up to date
The BAcC is an Accredited Register with the Professional Standards Authority for Health & Social Care (PSA). The PSA protects the public by overseeing the regulation and registration of healthcare professionals – including statutory regulated professions, such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council, and Accredited Registers like the BAcC. This offers a quality mark for high standards of training, safe practice, and professional conduct. Statutory regulated healthcare professionals, such as doctors, can use Accredited Register status as an assurance that the acupuncturist will meet professional standards of safety and quality of care, when making referrals.
You can find a BAcC Member acupuncturist by searching the practitioner directory.
References
[1] R.R.N. Rizzo, A.G. Cashin, B.M. Wand, M.C. Ferraro, S. Sharma, H. Lee, E. O’Hagan, C.G. Maher, A.D. Furlan, M.W. van Tulder, et al., Non‐pharmacological and non‐surgical treatments for low back pain in adults: an overview of Cochrane reviews, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (3) (2025).
[2] S. Birch, M.S. Lee, T. Alraek, T.H. Kim, Overview of Treatment Guidelines and Clinical Practical Guidelines That Recommend the Use of Acupuncture: A Bibliometric Analysis, J Altern Complement Med 24(8) (2018) 752-769.
[3] C.M. Witt, D. Pach, B. Brinkhaus, K. Wruck, B. Tag, S. Mank, S.N. Willich, Safety of acupuncture: results of a prospective observational study with 229,230 patients and introduction of a medical information and consent form, Forschende Komplementärmedizin 16(2) (2009) 91-97.
[4] H. MacPherson, A. Scullion, K.J. Thomas, S. Walters, Patient reports of adverse events associated with acupuncture treatment: a prospective national survey, Quality and Safety in Health Care 13(5) (2004) 349.
[5] P. Bäumler, W. Zhang, T. Stübinger, D. Irnich, Acupuncture-related adverse events: systematic review and meta-analyses of prospective clinical studies, BMJ Open 11(9) (2021) e045961.
