For the first time the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has backed the use of acupuncture, manual therapy and exercises as treatment options for persistent low back pain. The reason why 3 therapies are being offered is because whilst research has shown that acupuncture, manual therapy and exercise can be beneficial for persistent back pain it is not clear if one therapy is superior to the other.

Anyone with persistent back pain for over 9 weeks will be given the normal advice and medication options. In addition, people will be able to choose from a course of acupuncture, manual therapy or exercise. Low back pain is a widespread problem in the UK with an estimated 2.5 million people visiting their GP with the condition