Acupuncture for Back and Neck Pain: What the Research Says

Quick answer: In the United States, acupuncture is most commonly used for pain, such as back, joint or neck pain. That is according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH).

Research suggests it may help several pain conditions, including back and neck pain. How it works is not fully understood. If you are thinking about acupuncture in Midtown Manhattan, here is what the federal research summary says.

This article is general information, not a diagnosis.

What is acupuncture used for?

NCCIH says national survey data show that in the United States, acupuncture is most commonly used for pain, such as back, joint or neck pain.

It involves inserting fine needles at specific points on the body.

How does acupuncture work?

NCCIH says how acupuncture works is not fully understood.

It says there is evidence that acupuncture may have effects on the nervous system, effects on other body tissues, and nonspecific (placebo) effects.

What does the research say about back and neck pain?

NCCIH says research has shown acupuncture may be helpful for several pain conditions, including back or neck pain.

It describes a 2018 review in which acupuncture was more effective than no treatment for back or neck pain, and more effective than sham acupuncture. The difference compared with no treatment was larger than the difference compared with sham acupuncture.

In that review, NCCIH says, the pain-relieving effect was comparable to that of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

What do clinical guidelines say?

NCCIH notes that a 2017 American College of Physicians guideline included acupuncture among the nondrug options recommended as first-line treatment for chronic low-back pain. It is also one of the options recommended for acute low-back pain.

The guideline rated the evidence for acute low-back pain as low quality, and for chronic low-back pain as moderate quality.

How do the findings compare?

Question	What NCCIH reports
Most common use in the U.S.	Pain, such as back, joint or neck pain
Back or neck pain vs. no treatment	Acupuncture more effective (2018 review, 12 studies)
Back or neck pain vs. sham acupuncture	Acupuncture more effective, by a smaller margin (10 studies)
Compared with NSAIDs	Pain relief comparable
How it works	Not fully understood
Lasting effects	Benefits continued a year after treatment for several conditions, but not for neck pain

Is acupuncture safe?

NCCIH says relatively few complications from acupuncture have been reported. Complications have resulted from nonsterile needles and improper delivery of treatments.

When not delivered properly, it says, acupuncture can cause serious adverse effects, including infections, punctured organs and injury to the central nervous system.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates acupuncture needles as medical devices and requires that they be sterile and labeled for single use only.

Does insurance cover acupuncture?

NCCIH says some health insurance policies cover acupuncture and others don’t, and coverage is often limited based on the condition being treated.

Call your insurer to ask about your plan, and call the office at (302) 590-8218 to ask about payment before your visit.

What should you ask before a session?

• Are the needles sterile and single use?
• How many sessions are usually recommended, and how will we know if it is helping?
• Should I keep up my other care, such as chiropractic care or massage therapy?
• What should I tell you about my medications and health conditions?

Does acupuncture replace other care?

Not necessarily. NCCIH lists several nondrug approaches for back pain. See what spinal manipulation can and can’t do and massage therapy as part of recovery.

If your pain followed a crash, read whiplash and neck pain after a crash first.

Why choose Nexus Spinal Care for acupuncture in Midtown Manhattan?

Nexus Spinal Care offers acupuncture alongside chiropractic care and pain management at 211 East 43rd Street, Suite 741, in Midtown Manhattan.

Dr. Jean V. Laine, D.C. speaks English, Creole, French and Spanish.

Call (302) 590-8218 or see how to reach the office.