Acupuncture for musculoskeletal pain: what does the current evidence show?

Abstract

Current evidence on acupuncture for musculoskeletal pain shows a generally modest difference compared with sham acupuncture and a larger benefit compared with no treatment or usual care. Interpretation is methodologically challenging because sham
procedures may not be physiologically inert, operator blinding is difficult, and experimental protocols often standardise treatments that may be individualised
in clinical practice. Chronic low back pain, knee osteoarthritis, chronic neck pain and shoulder pain are among the most studied conditions.
In family medicine, acupuncture may be considered as a complementary option within a multimodal management strategy, only after appropriate history taking, physical examination and diagnostic assessment, with realistic and measurable clinical goals.