Friday, May 16, 2025

Why the WHO Recommends Acupuncture for Lower Back Pain – The Technical Breakdown!

The World Health Organisation WHO recommends applying non-surgical interventions like acupuncture for back pain to manage chronic low back pain, a condition that is a leading cause of disability worldwide.

The WHO's more comprehensive guidelines are intended to enhance the health and quality of life for individuals with persistent chronic back pain in the standard of care and community settings. They recommend acupuncture for chronic back pain as a treatment.

acupuncture for back pain

Technical Rationale for Acupuncture in Lower Back Pain:

Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine needles into specific points on the body, traditionally believed to balance energy flow but now scientifically recognised to stimulate sensory nerves, myofascial tissue, and neurovascular bundles. Qualified healthcare professionals in accredited clinics are skilled in delivering targeted stimulation to increase localised blood flow, trigger endorphin and cortisol release, modulate pain signals, and reduce inflammatory markers.

Qualified experts follow this evidence-based approach to integrate electroacupuncture protocols and MRI-verified point selection for conditions like chronic back pain and migraines.

These recognised clinics are accredited through multiple clinical trials and systematic reviews, demonstrating that their experts are highly qualified to deliver acupuncture therapy for significant pain relief and functional improvement for patients suffering from chronic lower back pain.

A review conducted in 2018 revealed that acupuncture is an effective long-term therapeutic choice for back pain because its effects can last up to a year following treatment. The WHO further points out that, when administered by trained professionals, acupuncture has a high safety profile with a minimal risk of major side effects.

According to the WHO's guidelines, acupuncture is recommended for use in some situations. They recommend particularly when patients are looking for alternatives to medication or surgery, they should visit only authorised clinics for acupuncture.

In pain management, this is in line with a larger trend towards alternatives to medication that reduce dependency on medications and their possible adverse effects.

For instance, randomised placebo-controlled studies have demonstrated that acupuncture is more effective than no treatment and, frequently, more successful than fake acupuncture or conventional conservative care.

Meanwhile, people seeking a holistic, evidence-based approach to managing lower back pain should find a trusted clinic for acupuncture that has qualified healthcare professionals.


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