Will Acupuncture Help Back Pain? Research-Backed Insights
- David McKinnon
- Jul 20, 2025
- 5 min read
Over 65 million Americans experience a recent episode of back pain annually. For about 13% of adults, it becomes a chronic issue—one that sticks around, reshapes daily life, and resists easy fixes.
Is it very likely that I will have back pain in my life? (Yes.)
Are there ways to prevent back pain? (Yes)
Can moderate exercise and Acupuncture reduce or relieve back pain? (Yes.)
Can you show me some strategies to help the pain, right now? (Yes)
Are there exercises, supplements, or therapies that can help with back pain? (Yes)
Back pain is one of the most common reasons people request my services as a mobile acupuncturist. Just as often, it’s the issue that brings me back after we’ve already addressed something else. In nearly 20 years of practice, I’ve seen the same patterns repeat over and over and I’ve developed a focused approach to treating them.
Most patients don’t know exactly what caused their pain. This is what we call nonspecific back pain, and it accounts for the majority of cases. Others seek my care for more clearly defined conditions like arthritis, degenerative disc disease, or chronic injuries where pain remains as the primary symptom.
What I’ve seen in a broad range of patients—from their mid-30s to their late 70s is that back pain responds well to basic, corrective movements and a brief series of acupuncture treatments.
When we stop chasing a one-time fix and focus instead on sustainable, practical care, things start to improve. During visits, I take time to teach foundational exercises, coach patients on pacing their activity, and identify which treatments actually reduce their pain.
Science-Based Explanation: In a 2025 review from the Cochrane Library, they looked at 31 high-quality reviews covering 27 non-drug, non-surgical treatments for low back pain in over 97,000 adults.
Here’s what matters most:
Acupuncture reduces pain and improves function in chronic low back pain, compared with no treatment or usual care with a moderate‑certainty of evidence.
Exercise therapies also probably reduce pain and improve function in chronic cases, with moderate‑certainty evidence showing clinically meaningful benefits.
For acute and subacute back pain, advice to stay active (rather than rest) probably helps with both pain and function.
Other options like spinal manipulation, traction, or passive modalities (ultrasound, massage-only, etc.) show little to no consistent benefit.
The evidence suggests that both acupuncture and exercise offer moderate, measurable improvements in pain and function for people with chronic low back pain. Neither is a silver bullet, but when used together, they form a practical, evidence-supported approach that aligns well with what I’ve seen work in the clinic.
Personal/Clinical Experience:
Acupuncture often relieves pain immediately and can last for days or up to a week within the first few treatments. Relief of symptoms and functionality improve as treatments progress. I adjust the position of the patient face up, face down or side lying for comfort and use the most effective therapies based on research and clinical experience.
Exercise that matches the patient's strength and ROM are essential. I use movement patterns that can progress with improvements or regress back if needed. For instance, squats while holding onto a sink, single or double leg hip hinges and lunges (when the patients are able) show an almost immediate impact on the condition. These exercises are adaptive by design and can progress as strength and ROM improve, or regress to an easier version should pain, loss of ROM or re-injury occur.
Pacing is essential for improvement. Patients who get a little improvement and then feel they need to clean the garage on a weekend or garden for multiple hours just to “get it done,” often reinjure the affected area. The brain has the ability to amplify pain when we ignore it and can make the condition feel worse if we repeatedly do so. Pacing your activity means working to a level of effort that brings some fatigue or discomfort, but that you can recover from with a short rest. If you can return to the same level of activity later that day or the next, you're in the right zone. This kind of pacing allows you to keep making progress without overloading your system.
Recommended Tools:
Acupuncture: For back pain, I typically recommend starting with a consultation followed by a short series of 3 to 6 treatments to see how your body responds. Each visit includes a medical review, personalized treatment, and prescribed exercise when appropriate.Click here to schedule a complimentary consultation.
Exercise: Gentle, targeted movement plays a big role in recovery. Here’s a link to some helpful exercises that I often recommend for patients working through low back pain.
With each of these, start slow and keep the number of exercises to between 5 - 10 repetitions or less when first starting out. Do the fullest ROM you can without forcing yourself. The gold medal here goes to those that feel the exercise working and stretching the muscles. You may experience some discomfort that should go away a few minutes after finishing the exercise and be able to repeat the exercise again in 2 - 3 days. As with any exercise regimen check with your doctor before beginning.
Herbal Support: Chinese medicine has a variety of safe and effective herbal formulas that help with many conditions. They are generally affordable and can be effective for many patients. As always check with a licensed acupuncturist or doctor before adding these herbal supplements to your daily regimen. To consult with me by phone or video appointment click here.
Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang (独活寄生汤) - Is often prescribed for older adults with joint pain, stiffness, weakness, or difficulty walking due to arthritis or chronic pain.
Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang (芍药甘草汤) - This gentle formula is commonly used for muscle cramps or spasms and when combined with Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang has helped many people manage chronic back pain.
You can find the herbs through the 6harmonies.com online pharmacy. We use Fullscript to fulfill our orders. You’ll get a 10 - 15% discount off retail, and they ship directly to your home. I’ve selected products I trust and use in my private practice.”
Zheng Gu Shui is a classic Chinese herbal liniment used to support recovery from muscle and joint pain. It’s often applied directly to sore areas after activity or acupuncture. Traditionally used for bruises, sprains, and low back pain, it helps improve circulation and ease tension in the muscles and connective tissue. I often recommend it as a topical option for lingering soreness or flare-ups. You can purchase it through my Amazon store here Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
If your back pain has been lingering or keeps coming back, it might be time for a different approach. Acupuncture and exercise are most effective when they’re personalized, consistent, and grounded in experience. I offer house calls throughout the area and take the time to understand what’s really happening with your body.
Let’s find a plan that helps you move and feel better.
SIXHarmonies is a Sonoma County based Mobile Acupuncture & Microneedling Spa, providing specialized services in cosmetic acupuncture, preventative medicine, sports acupuncture, and treatment of chronic conditions and pain. Our team is dedicated to offering personalized care and innovative treatments to improve the well-being of our clients. We are committed to making a difference by providing holistic healthcare services tailored to individual needs and promoting overall wellness.
Dr Dave McKinnon is a licensed acupuncturist with years of experience, I offer compassionate and personalized care in the comfort of your own home. My focus is on providing safe, effective, and results-oriented treatments tailored to your unique needs.
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