Acupuncture – the most effective form of CAM for musculoskeletal conditions
Acupuncture is the most effective CAM for treating musculoskeletal conditions and one of only a few therapies that is supported by current medical evidence, according to a report commissioned by the charity Arthritis Research UK.
The report, which examined trial data on 25 therapies, was aimed at helping people with musculoskeletal conditions and healthcare professionals choose safe and effective therapies. Very little evidence was found in support of commonly-used therapies such as copper or magnets for musculoskeletal disorders. The therapies that were shown to be the most effective were: acupuncture for osteoarthritis, low back pain and fibromyalgia, massage for fibromyalgia and low back pain, tai chi for osteoarthritis and yoga for back pain. (Practitioner-based complementary and alternative therapies for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia and low back pain.
