The purpose of this research was to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture for adults aged 20 to 50 with acute low back pain. Very little research has been conducted in this area, but case studies indicate that acupuncture has the potential to shorten disability, decrease medical costs, and hasten pain relief.

This retrospective study examined the difference in perception of pain experienced by subjects before and after a single acupuncture treatment. Acute low back pain was defined in this study as pain of less than 3 months duration in the absence of a serious underlying pathology. The subjects were between 20 an 50 years of age. This convenient sample of 12 patients completed a 0 to 10 pain scale prior to a single acupuncture treatment and again the day after the treatment. Treatments were administered by two certified acupuncturists. The results were analyzed using a one-tailed dependent t-test and revealed that there was a significant decrease in the perception of pain 24 hours after acupuncture treatment.

This study will enhance the knowledge of the health care community, as well as encourage additional research into acupuncture as a way of easing pain and decreasing medical costs. Recommendations for further research are made.