Chronic low back pain is the first cause of world disability and affects older adults with special intensity. Given the limited efficacy and risks of conventional treatments, acupuncture reappears as a scientifically proven solution. A clinical trial financed by NIH showed that this millenary practice not only reduces pain, but also improves physical function and quality of life with an outstanding security profile.
A clinical trial with 800 older adults
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The Backination study, carried out in different regions of the United States, brought together 800 people 65 years of age or older with persistent low back pain for at least three months. The participants were divided into groups: some received up to 15 acupuncture sessions in three months, others added six maintenance sessions and the rest continued only with conventional medical care (medication and physiotherapy).
Results: Sustained relief and less anxiety
During a year of follow -up, groups treated with acupuncture reported more marked reductions in pain and disability with respect to those who only received regular treatments. At six months, they also improved physical function and anxiety symptoms. Important: no relevant adverse effects were detected, which reinforces the security of the technique.
Expert voices and clinical relevance
For Lynn L. Debar, Main Researcher at Kaiser permanent, “acupuncture works as well as many better known treatments; the effect was modest but positive and sustained.”
For its part, the bioestadic Andrea J. Cook stressed: “We observe very few adverse effects. Acupuncture offers a higher security profile against invasive therapies or medications with dependency risk.”
Implications for public health
With more than a third of older adults in the US. UU. Affected by chronic low back pain, the need for safe and accessible treatments is urgent. Acupuncture, practiced by accredited specialists, is consolidated as an option backed by scientific evidence, less invasive and without the risks associated with opioids or other drugs. The authors suggest expanding their coverage in health systems to improve the quality of life in old age.
Source: Infobae.
