Acupuncture for Back Pain in London
Back pain is one of the most common conditions treated with acupuncture, from chronic lower back stiffness to tension between the shoulder blades and nerve pain radiating down the leg. Our Islington clinic treats back pain across the whole spine — lower back, upper back and neck-related pain — with a treatment plan based on the location and cause of the pain.
Acupuncture for lower back pain
Lower back pain is the most researched form of back pain treated with acupuncture, with consistent short-to-medium-term benefits for pain relief and function.
- Chronic stiffness and dull, aching pain across the lower back
- Pain over the hips and gluteal region
- Nerve pain running down one or both legs (sciatica-type pain)
- Pain that worsens in cold weather or after long periods of stillness
Acupuncture for upper back pain
Upper back pain (thoracic pain) occurs behind the chest and around the shoulder blades, often linked to poor posture, desk work, or a pinched nerve in the neck or upper spine. Treatment targets the neck, shoulders and thoracic spine, easing trigger points and the muscle spasm that sustains upper back pain.
- Tightness or aching pain between or around the shoulder blades
- Pain accompanied by neck and shoulder tension
- Trigger points that feel tender or knotted to the touch
- Pain that worsens with prolonged sitting or screen use
What to expect from treatment
Your first appointment
The initial consultation assesses pain location, duration, and general health and lifestyle, to build a treatment plan targeting the relevant points. It typically lasts around an hour.
During treatment
Fine, single-use sterile needles are inserted at selected points and left for around 20–30 minutes. Most patients feel a brief tingling or dull ache.
After your session
Mild tiredness is common and usually passes quickly. Most patients need a short course of sessions, rather than a single treatment, to achieve lasting benefit.
Frequently asked questions
Is acupuncture better for lower back pain or upper back pain?
Both respond well, though the evidence base for chronic lower back pain is the strongest. Upper back and neck pain also respond well, using different treatment points.
How many sessions are required for back pain?
This depends on the duration and severity of the pain, but most patients need a short course of multiple treatments rather than a single session.
Is acupuncture safe for back pain?
Yes, when carried out by a qualified, licensed practitioner using single-use sterile needles and following British Acupuncture Council safety codes.
The research evidence
Vickers et al. (2012), published in JAMA Internal Medicine, pooled data from 29 trials and 17,922 patients across four chronic pain conditions, including back and neck pain, finding acupuncture significantly superior to sham and no-acupuncture control.
A 2018 update in the Journal of Pain extended this to 20,827 patients and confirmed benefits persist over time and aren’t explained by placebo alone.
NICE’s chronic pain guideline (NG193, 2021) recommends considering a single course of acupuncture for chronic primary pain. Its separate low back pain guideline (NG59, 2016) does not recommend acupuncture specifically for that condition — worth discussing with a practitioner, as suitability varies by individual case.