Musculoskeletal Medicine in Practice: Dry needling for chronic low back pain in a hospital outpatient setting

Abstract

This retrospective, descriptive study looked at the clinical outcomes in 107 patients (72% female) with chronic low back pain that had been selected for acupuncture/dry needling treatment following referral to a musculoskeletal clinic in a specialist orthopaedic secondary care centre. Average age was 43.9 (19–79) years and average duration of symptoms of 11.6 (0.5–25) years. 91% had regional low back pain. Outcome was rated excellent in 23% and good in 10% and in these patients there was no requirement to pursue other hospital treatments. Acupuncture was considered to have contributed to the identification of underlying lumbar conditions such as disc, facet or sacroiliac joint pain or segmental instability in a further 18% where further interventions resulted in good or excellent outcomes. In total, 51% of patients were deemed to have benefited from acupuncture treatment either directly or indirectly. Its low cost and safety make acupuncture an attractive treatment option in patients with chronic low back pain.

Key Words::

• low backpain
• dry needling
• acupuncture
• audit
• outcomes