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Can Acupuncture Help Avoid Back Surgery? A New Study Thinks So

Writer's picture: Phoebus TianPhoebus Tian

Updated: Jan 24


Low back pain (LBP) is something most of us will experience at some point in our lives. Whether it’s from sitting too much, lifting something the wrong way, or just ageing, it can be incredibly frustrating and, for some, downright debilitating. Many people turn to surgery when nothing else seems to help – but is surgery always the answer?


A new study from Korea has taken a closer look at whether acupuncture, an ancient therapy involving thin needles, could help reduce the chances of needing back surgery. The results? Pretty promising. Let’s break it down.


What Did the Study Do?

The researchers looked at a huge group of people with LBP – over 260,000! They split them into two groups: one group had acupuncture treatment, and the other didn’t. Then, they tracked them to see who ended up needing back surgery.


After careful matching (to make sure the two groups were as similar as possible), the study found that people who had acupuncture were much less likely to end up having surgery.


What Were the Results?

Here’s what stood out:


Lower Surgery Rates with Acupuncture

The acupuncture group was 37% less likely to need back surgery compared to those who didn’t get acupuncture. That’s a big difference!


Who Benefited the Most?


Older adults: People in their 30s and above saw the biggest reduction in surgery rates with acupuncture. It wasn’t as effective for younger people in their 20s, though.

All income levels: People of all income levels benefitted, but those with higher incomes seemed to see the most improvement. This might be because they had better access to consistent care.

Does More Acupuncture = Better Results?

The study didn’t find that more sessions made a huge difference, but it did notice that more focused or intensive treatments helped bring the surgery rate down even more.


Why Acupuncture?

Acupuncture has been around for thousands of years. It’s a traditional practice where tiny needles are inserted into specific points on your body. The idea is that it helps balance your energy, relieve pain, and improve overall function.


For back pain, acupuncture is thought to:


Reduce inflammation

Relax tight muscles

Help improve blood flow to the affected area

Trigger your body’s natural pain-relief systems

It’s also much less risky than surgery and doesn’t come with long recovery times or potential complications.


What Does This Mean for People with Back Pain?

If you’re dealing with LBP and worried that surgery might be your only option, this study suggests acupuncture could be worth a try. It’s a safe, non-invasive option that could help reduce your pain and potentially keep you out of the operating theatre.


Here’s why it might be a good choice:


It’s Low-Risk: Unlike surgery, there’s no long recovery or big risks involved.

It Can Be Combined with Other Treatments: You can do acupuncture alongside things like physiotherapy, medication, or lifestyle changes.

It’s Affordable: Acupuncture is often more budget-friendly than surgery.

The Bigger Picture

This study is a big deal because it challenges the growing trend of jumping straight to surgery for back pain. While surgery can be helpful for some, it’s not always necessary – and it doesn’t always fix the problem long-term.


Acupuncture offers a more natural, patient-friendly approach. Plus, it works for a wide range of people, from those in their 30s to older adults, and across all income levels.


Back pain can feel like a never-ending battle, and for some people, surgery might feel like the only way out. But this study shows there’s hope in exploring alternative treatments like acupuncture.


If you’re struggling with LBP, it might be time to give acupuncture a shot before jumping to surgery. After all, a few tiny needles might be all it takes to help you get back to feeling like yourself again – without the risks of going under the knife.

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