Acupuncture for low back pain: ritual healing or medicine?

ConclusionsIf the effects of acupuncture on LBP are mainly due to the treatment ritual or to other psychological factors, then the placebo nature of the treatment must be fully disclosed; otherwise, patients will not be making an informed medical decision. Moreover, the use of acupuncture for LBP might directly conflict with the current positions of the American Medical Association, the American Osteopathic Association, the American Pain Society and the American Society for Pain Management Nursing on the use of placebo for the treatment of pain.
Source: Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies - Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Tags: Review Source Type: research