Why Acupuncture Could Be the Missing Piece in Back Pain Treatment for Over-50s
Back pain and ageing
Back pain is one of the biggest reasons people lose mobility and independence as they age. A major new study, the BackInAction trial, has just confirmed what many of us already see in practice: acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for chronic low back pain in older adults.
Pain is multifaceted
In my previous blog on pain, I explained how pain is not just a physical sensation but a complex experience shaped by our nervous system, emotions, and environment. People experience pain differently, and how we respond to it also changes with age.
Often in our 40s and 50s, the body gives us warning signs. The adrenal system helps us push through so that we can keep working, parenting, and living busy lives without too much disruption. But ignore those signals at your peril. Covering up symptoms instead of addressing the cause only delays healing.
What the research showed
The BackInAction trial involved over 1,000 adults aged 65 and older with chronic low back pain. Participants who received a course of acupuncture had:
Better physical function
Less disability
Benefits that lasted at 6 and 12 months
Very few side effects, with most people tolerating treatment well
This matters because many older adults cannot take strong painkillers without experiencing side effects that accelerate ageing and reduce quality of life.
Why surgery is not always the answer
Back surgery is rarely a quick fix, and in older adults it comes with added risks. Recovery is slower, complication rates are higher, and sometimes surgery does not provide lasting relief. Surgery may help in specific cases, but it should not be the first line of care.
Acupuncture, by contrast, is minimally invasive, carries a very low risk profile, and can be started at any stage of life. In my clinical experience, older patients often need more sessions than younger ones, but improvements in pain, sleep, and quality of life are still achievable.
Making acupuncture more accessible in Ireland
At present, acupuncture is not covered widely enough by Irish insurance companies. This makes it available mainly to a select group. That needs to change. If we are serious about healthy ageing, insurers should provide broader cover so that people can access safe, effective, non-drug therapies earlier.
Surgeons too should be partnering with acupuncturists. Patients should be actively referred for acupuncture before being offered surgery, especially since any surgical procedure carries risk. Western medicine has many strengths, but it does not always provide a solution. Waiting until things get really bad can close off safer options.
Standards and professional care
In Ireland, professional bodies such as the Acupuncture Council of Ireland set clear standards of care and require ongoing professional development. This ensures that when you choose a registered acupuncturist, you are in safe hands.
Take-home message
The evidence is now clear: acupuncture is a safe, effective treatment for chronic low back pain in older adults. It reduces the need for medication, improves function, and helps people stay active and independent.
If you are experiencing persistent back pain, do not wait for it to get worse. Explore acupuncture as a safe and evidence-informed option.
On the Pulse Clinic
South County Dublin
📞 086 811 9534
👉 🔗 sineadd@onthepulse.clinic