Clinical Effectiveness of CAM methods for pain reduction in acute non-specific lower back pain

Abstract

Background : Acute Nonspecific Lower Back Pain (ANLBP) significantly impacts quality of life and often leads to the use of various treatments, including Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). This retrospective study examines the effectiveness of three CAM treatments: acupuncture, cupping, and sotai therapy—in managing ANLBP.

Methods : The study analyzed medical records from the Doctorkits - Integrative Holistic Health Clinic in Toronto, Canada, spanning August 2018 to February 2020. Patients were retrospectively grouped into four categories: acupuncture, cupping, sotai therapy, and a control group receiving no treatment. Pain intensity was assessed using the Faces Pain Scale (FPS), with measurements recorded before the intervention and 24 hours post-intervention.

Results : The study found significant reductions in Faces Pain Scale (FPS) scores across all CAM treatment groups 24 hours post-intervention compared to the control group. Specifically, the acupuncture group showed a reduction of 3.05 points, the cupping group by 3.25 points, and the sotai group by 2.95 points in FPS scores, with p-values of 9.94E-05, 3.46E-05, and 7.04E-06, respectively. These results were statistically significant, confirming the effectiveness of each CAM treatment in reducing pain intensity.

Conclusion : This study provides empirical evidence supporting the clinical effectiveness of acupuncture, cupping, and sotai therapy in reducing pain levels among patients with ANLBP. These findings suggest that CAM therapies can be effective immediate options for pain alleviation in ANLBP management, warranting further investigation into their long-term effects and potential integration into standard care practices.