Acupuncture may offer older adults a safe way to manage chronic low back pain. A new study found that older adults who tried acupuncture reported less pain, better movement, and less anxiety compared with those who only used medications or physical therapy. Since back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide, researchers say acupuncture could be a helpful low risk option.

The study followed 800 adults aged 65 and older who had ongoing back pain. Those who received up to 15 acupuncture sessions and some who continued with maintenance treatments felt steady improvements after six and 12 months. Only a few mild side effects were reported, making acupuncture safer than many common drug treatments.

Experts say acupuncture will not erase pain completely, but it works about as well as standard care. It may also help older adults rely less on medications. For many seniors, acupuncture could be a practical and nonaddictive way to manage pain and improve quality of life.