Duygu İlke YILDIRIM, Kamile MARAKOĞLU
International Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine Research - 2025;6(3):199-205
Background and Objectives: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a widespread condition affecting quality of life and productivity .1 Acupuncture has been used from past to present as a complementary and alternative therapy to support modern medicine in the treatment of various diseases .2 The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of chronic l ow back pain by theoretically reviewing and synthesizing data obtained from recent meta -analyses and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) .3 Materials and Methods: A systematic review of meta -analyses published between 2010 and 2024 was conducted using PubMe d, Cochrane Library, and Scopus4. Only English -language studies involving adult populations, with chronic low back pain (>=3 months duration) that used acupuncture as a primary intervention, were included .5 Results: Across multiple high -quality meta -analyse s, acupuncture demonstrated statistically significant improvements in pain intensity (measured by VAS or NPRS) and functional capacity (measured by ODI or RMDQ) compared to sham acupuncture and conventional care .6 Most studies reported moderate to large ef fect sizes, especially in the short and medium term .7 Adverse effects were rare and generally mild .8 Conclusions: This meta -analysis suggests that acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment method for managing chronic low back pain .3 Future studies shou ld focus on determining the most appropriate treatment methods and long -term outcomes .7
