Brain Imaging Study of Acupuncture in Chronic Low Back Pain

Inclusion criteria

• Meet the Classification Criteria of chronic LBP (having low back pain for more than 6 months), as determined by the referring physician
• At least 4/10 clinical pain on the 10-point LBP intensity scale on average during the past two weeks prior to enrollment
• At least a 10th grade English-reading level; English can be a second language provided that the patients feel they understand all the questions used in the assessment measures
• Must have had a prior evaluation of their low back pain by a health care provider, which may include radiographic studies. Documentation of this evaluation will be obtained from the subject's medical record

Exclusion criteria

• Specific causes of back pain (e.g., cancer, fractures, spinal stenosis, infections)
• Radicular pain extending below the knee
• Complicated back problems (e.g., prior back surgery, medicolegal issues)
• Possible contraindications for acupuncture (e.g., coagulation disorders, cardiac pacemakers, pregnancy, seizure disorder), and conditions that might confound treatment effects or interpretation of results (e.g., severe fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis)
• Conditions making study participation difficult (e.g., paralysis, psychoses, or other severe psychological problems as per the judgment of a study investigator and/or a T score > 60 on the psychological measures assessed during Session 1)
• Prior acupuncture treatment for back pain; 1 year minimum wait for any condition other condition.
• Active substance abuse disorder in the past two years, as determined by subject self-report.
• The intent to undergo surgery during the time of involvement in the study.
• History of cardiac, respiratory, or nervous system disease that, in the investigator's judgment, precludes participation in the study because of a heightened potential for adverse outcome. For example: asthma or claustrophobia.
• Presence of any contraindications to MRI scanning. For example: cardiac pacemaker, metal implants, fear of closed spaces, pregnancy.
• Unresolved legal/disability/workers compensation claims in connection with low back.
• Instability of pain ratings in Session 2 or Session 3.
• Use of more than 60 mg prescription opioids or steroids for pain.