News > Does acupuncture work for chronic pain? Here’s what the science says

Does acupuncture work for chronic pain? Here’s what the science says

Critics once dismissed the benefits of acupuncture as purely a placebo effect, a notion that still lingers among a portion of the public. But research has found a benefit for certain conditions, including chronic pain. The data is so promising that, in 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services started covering acupuncture therapy for chronic low back pain. But it isn’t a magic cure-all. Like any treatment, it may not be a good fit for everyone.