Battlefield Acupuncture for Low Back Pain (BFA)
Low Back Pain, Chronic Low Back Pain
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Low Back Pain
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Diagnosis of LBP (pain for > 4 weeks, with or without radiating nerve pain
- Age 18 to 50 years
- Active duty military, Public Health Service, or Coast Guard (guard and reserve on active orders)
- Pain score 3/10 or higher as patient reported on the DVPRS
- mODI score ≥ 20%
- No anticipated prolonged temporary duty, deployment, or vacation within the next month.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Any severe comorbidity
- LBP neurologic "red flags" indicating serious spinal pathology (i.e. bowel or bladder dysfunction)
- Auricular acupuncture in the past 6 months
- Use of steroids in the month prior to the study
- Hemorrhagic disorders
- Malignancy
- Unexplained weight loss
- Severe scoliosis or congenital spine disorder
- Back pain because of a visceral problem (e.g. endometriosis)
- Under surgeon's care for back surgery within the last 12 months
- Balance disorder
- Pregnancy or suspected pregnancy (last menstrual period will be reported by the patient)
- Aversion to needles
- Previous keloid scar formation
- Active infection on the ear
- Bleeding disorder
- Metal allergy
- Mental health diagnosis requiring medication (depression, PTSD, etc)
- Untreated sleep apnea or other sleep disorders
Sites / Locations
- Malcolm Grow Medical Clinics and Surgery Center
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Sham Comparator
Experimental
Sham Treatment
Auricular Acupuncture
Participants will continue to receive usual care from their primary care provider, which can include medications, physical therapy, biofeedback, and education according to DoD/VA guidelines for LBP management. Participants randomized to this arm will also receive a sham intervention, pointing a laser pointer to the ear without turning the laser on.
Participants will continue to receive usual care from their primary care provider, which can include medications, physical therapy, biofeedback, and education according to DoD/VA guidelines for LBP management. Participants randomized to this arm will receive up to five ASP needles per ear placed in the predetermined BFA pattern. Needles are placed until the participant states pain is reduced 1/10.