Even Fake Acupuncture Relieves Back Pain!

A recent German study on acupuncture yielded startling results. For chronic lower back pain, acupuncture performed better than traditional care, even when it was faked!

Nearly half of the patients treated with acupuncture needles felt relief that lasted for months. Only a quarter of the patients who received medication or other traditional Western treatments felt better. Even fake acupuncture -- inserting the thin needles less deeply and in no particular location -- provided more relief for longer periods than traditional medicine. Researchers speculated that either the body found relief from any thin needle pricks or a placebo effect was in operation.

"Acupuncture represents a highly promising and effective treatment option for chronic back pain," said study co-author Dr. Heinz Endres of Ruhr University Bochum in Germany.

In the study, more than 1,100 German patients were treated for chronic lower back pain. Pain relief was assessed six months after treatment. Of those who received real acupuncture, 47% still felt improved at six months. In the sham acupuncture group, 44% had less pain; in the traditional care group, only 27%.