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| Acupuncture 'best for back pain' | Acupuncture 'best for back pain' |
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| Acupuncture is more effective at treating back pain than conventional therapies, research suggests. | Acupuncture is more effective at treating back pain than conventional therapies, research suggests. |
| A German study found almost half the patients treated with acupuncture needles felt pain relief that lasted for months. | A German study found almost half the patients treated with acupuncture needles felt pain relief that lasted for months. |
| In contrast, only about a quarter who received drugs and other Western therapies felt better. | In contrast, only about a quarter who received drugs and other Western therapies felt better. |
| The Archives of Internal Medicine study also suggests fake acupuncture works nearly as well as the real thing. | |
| Acupuncture represents a highly promising and effective treatment option for chronic back pain Dr Heinz EndresRuhr University Bochum | Acupuncture represents a highly promising and effective treatment option for chronic back pain Dr Heinz EndresRuhr University Bochum |
| The researchers, from the Ruhr University Bochum, say their findings suggest that the body may react positively to any thin needle prick - or that acupuncture may simply trigger a placebo effect. | The researchers, from the Ruhr University Bochum, say their findings suggest that the body may react positively to any thin needle prick - or that acupuncture may simply trigger a placebo effect. |
| One theory is that pain messages to the brain can be blocked by competing stimuli. | One theory is that pain messages to the brain can be blocked by competing stimuli. |
| Researcher Dr Heinz Endres said: "Acupuncture represents a highly promising and effective treatment option for chronic back pain. | Researcher Dr Heinz Endres said: "Acupuncture represents a highly promising and effective treatment option for chronic back pain. |
| "Patients experienced not only reduced pain intensity, but also reported improvements in the disability that often results from back pain and therefore in their quality of life." | "Patients experienced not only reduced pain intensity, but also reported improvements in the disability that often results from back pain and therefore in their quality of life." |
| Needles not manipulated | Needles not manipulated |
| More than 1,100 patients took part in the study. They were given either conventional therapy, acupuncture or a sham version. | More than 1,100 patients took part in the study. They were given either conventional therapy, acupuncture or a sham version. |
| Although needles were used in the sham therapy, they were not inserted as deeply as in standard acupuncture. Neither were they inserted at points thought key to producing a therapeutic effect, or manipulated and rotated once in position. | Although needles were used in the sham therapy, they were not inserted as deeply as in standard acupuncture. Neither were they inserted at points thought key to producing a therapeutic effect, or manipulated and rotated once in position. |
| After six months 47% of patients in the acupuncture group reported a significant improvement in pain symptoms, compared to 44% in the sham group, and just 27% in the group who received conventional therapy. | After six months 47% of patients in the acupuncture group reported a significant improvement in pain symptoms, compared to 44% in the sham group, and just 27% in the group who received conventional therapy. |
| Dr James Young, of Chicago's Rush University, said: "We don't understand the mechanisms of these so-called alternative treatments, but that doesn't mean they don't work." | Dr James Young, of Chicago's Rush University, said: "We don't understand the mechanisms of these so-called alternative treatments, but that doesn't mean they don't work." |
| Acupuncture is based on the ancient Chinese theory that needles can be used to release the body's vital energy, or qi. | Acupuncture is based on the ancient Chinese theory that needles can be used to release the body's vital energy, or qi. |
| Conventional therapies tested in the study included painkillers, injections, heat therapy and massage. | Conventional therapies tested in the study included painkillers, injections, heat therapy and massage. |
| It is estimated that as many as 85% of the population experiences back pain at some point, and the problem costs the NHS around £500m a year. | It is estimated that as many as 85% of the population experiences back pain at some point, and the problem costs the NHS around £500m a year. |
| The study echoes the findings of two studies published last year in the British Medical Journal, which found a short course of acupuncture could benefit patients with low back pain. | The study echoes the findings of two studies published last year in the British Medical Journal, which found a short course of acupuncture could benefit patients with low back pain. |