title: [Acupuncture treatment of low back pain].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This prospective, non-controlled pilot-study examines the potential benefit of acupuncture in patients with low back pain and radicular symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  60 patients with low back pain and lumbar disc herniation diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography were treated by acupuncture. Pain intensity was assessed before and after treatment on a 100 mm visual analogue scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intensity of low back pain dropped from 59 to 19 mm, and intensity of radicular pain from 64 to 12 mm. Three to twelve months after the end of acupuncture, 88% of patients were satisfied with treatment outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acupuncture as a noninvasive treatment with very few complications is a promising therapeutical option of low back pain, especially when associated with radicular symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung Orthopädie I, Stiftung Orthopädische Universitätsklinik Heidelberg. holger.schmitt@ok.uni-heidelberg.de
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schmitt
authors.forename: J Q
authors.initials: JQ
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Brocai
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Kaps
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000628:therapy; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000628:therapy