Overview

• A multicenter randomized trial of about 800 older adults found acupuncture reduced back pain–related disability at six and 12 months compared with usual care.
• Both acupuncture groups reported modest yet sustained improvements, with roughly 40% achieving at least a 30% improvement at six months.
• Extra maintenance sessions did not add benefit, and researchers reported no major safety concerns across the study.
• The trial, published in JAMA Network Open and funded under NIH’s HEAL Initiative, was delivered by dozens of licensed acupuncturists across U.S. sites.
• Professional groups are using the results to advocate for the Acupuncture for Our Seniors Act so community acupuncturists can bill Medicare directly, noting current coverage is limited to physician-supervised settings.