Acupuncture for Back and Neck Pain in an Emergency Room Setting

Efficacy of an Integrative Approach Utilizing Acupuncture as an add-on Therapy for the Treatment of Back and Neck Pain in an Emergency Department Setting - A Comparative Randomized Controlled Trial

This study aims to examine the efficacy of an Integrative approach utilizing Acupuncture as an add-on therapy for the treatment back and neck pain in an emergency department setting

Acupuncture is well established as an effective treatment for back pain. The investigators cumulative experience in Asaf Harofeh Medical Center has shown Acupuncture to be an Effective therapy for simple back and neck pain in an ER setting.

This study will examine weather Acupuncture can decrease pain, increase range of motion and decrease anxiety in patients admitted to the Emergency Room with simple back and neck pain without neurological findings. Acupuncture will be performed as an add on therapy on top of analgesic therapy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult male and females age 18-60 with acute or sub acute/chronic simple back or neck pain
• Agreed to a physical examination and by an orthopedic physician and X-ray
• Diagnosis of simple back pain with levels of 4<NRS at least
• Agreed and able to fill pain, anxiety and satisfactory questioners
• Agreed and able to sign informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Fracture, sprain or neurological deficit during physical examination
• Pain scale of NRS< 4
• Referred or radiating pain
• Active pregnancy
• Active inflammatory arthritis
• History of CVA
• Open wounds
• Acute malignancy with life expectancy of less than 5 years
• Experience with acupuncture treatments
• History of drug addiction
• History of osteoporosis
• Declined or unable to sign informed consent
• Soldiers in active military service