Menu
27/05/2009
NHS Recommends Acupuncture For Patients With Chronic Back Pain
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has recommended, for the first time, complementary therapies to treat chronic back pain on the NHS.
According to the Institute, people with lower backache should be prescribed a course of acupuncture, exercise classes or some form of manual therapy such as massage if they suffer from a non-specific lower back pain - which means that their symptoms persist for at least six weeks, but less than a year.
Some 2.6 million people visit their GP suffering from backache. It affects around one in three adults each year and is the cause of one in every six days off work.
According to the guidance, X-rays, ultrasounds and MRI scans should not be used to investigate causes of back pain except in certain circumstances.
Experts that have doubts about the effectiveness of complementary therapies have criticised the guidance, saying evidence showed these therapies were no more effective than a placebo.
Edzard Ernst, from the Department of Complementary Medicine at Peninsula Medical School, said that the watchdogs' advice has "overestimated the benefit and underestimated the risks of chiropractic spinal manipulation."
However, Professor Steve Field, Chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners, has welcomed the guidance.
He thinks that there is a clear evidence for the effectiveness of these complementary therapies.
Peter Littlejohns, the Institute's Clinical and Public Health Director, believes that beneficial effect of the therapies is "sufficiently robust" to recommend them over less cost-effective procedures such as X-rays or injections into the spine.
"The evidence still shows that on balance patients do better," he added.
The NICE said that providing these treatments to patients in England and Wales may save the NHS money in the long term.
The cost of the implementation of the guidance will be £77,000 a year. NICE said that this amount is in part owing to savings that could be made by dropping tests and treatments that have no proven clinical benefit.
It is still unclear when patients will be able to access the treatments on the NHS and if it will pay for patients to visit private practitioners for treatment.
(AC/JM)
According to the Institute, people with lower backache should be prescribed a course of acupuncture, exercise classes or some form of manual therapy such as massage if they suffer from a non-specific lower back pain - which means that their symptoms persist for at least six weeks, but less than a year.
Some 2.6 million people visit their GP suffering from backache. It affects around one in three adults each year and is the cause of one in every six days off work.
According to the guidance, X-rays, ultrasounds and MRI scans should not be used to investigate causes of back pain except in certain circumstances.
Experts that have doubts about the effectiveness of complementary therapies have criticised the guidance, saying evidence showed these therapies were no more effective than a placebo.
Edzard Ernst, from the Department of Complementary Medicine at Peninsula Medical School, said that the watchdogs' advice has "overestimated the benefit and underestimated the risks of chiropractic spinal manipulation."
However, Professor Steve Field, Chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners, has welcomed the guidance.
He thinks that there is a clear evidence for the effectiveness of these complementary therapies.
Peter Littlejohns, the Institute's Clinical and Public Health Director, believes that beneficial effect of the therapies is "sufficiently robust" to recommend them over less cost-effective procedures such as X-rays or injections into the spine.
"The evidence still shows that on balance patients do better," he added.
The NICE said that providing these treatments to patients in England and Wales may save the NHS money in the long term.
The cost of the implementation of the guidance will be £77,000 a year. NICE said that this amount is in part owing to savings that could be made by dropping tests and treatments that have no proven clinical benefit.
It is still unclear when patients will be able to access the treatments on the NHS and if it will pay for patients to visit private practitioners for treatment.
(AC/JM)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
23 May 2006
Doctors urge NHS Trusts not to use complementary medicine
A group of leading British doctors has called on NHS Trusts to stop paying for complementary therapies. The letter, which was reproduced in 'The Times', called for the money to be used for conventional treatments.
Doctors urge NHS Trusts not to use complementary medicine
A group of leading British doctors has called on NHS Trusts to stop paying for complementary therapies. The letter, which was reproduced in 'The Times', called for the money to be used for conventional treatments.
17 October 2005
Breast cancer can cost ‘thousands’
Breast cancer can cost sufferers thousands of pounds, a survey by a leading cancer charity has revealed. Macmillan Cancer Relief surveyed 50 cancer patients and found that, on average, they spent almost £2,000 on extra costs during their treatment.
Breast cancer can cost ‘thousands’
Breast cancer can cost sufferers thousands of pounds, a survey by a leading cancer charity has revealed. Macmillan Cancer Relief surveyed 50 cancer patients and found that, on average, they spent almost £2,000 on extra costs during their treatment.
22 September 2008
Scottish Government Pledges Cap On Surgery Waiting Times
Scottish patients may soon have a legal guarantee that they will wait no longer than 12 weeks for surgery. The Scottish Government's Patient Rights Bill proposes a strict limit on how long they have to wait from their surgical referral to receiving their operation.
Scottish Government Pledges Cap On Surgery Waiting Times
Scottish patients may soon have a legal guarantee that they will wait no longer than 12 weeks for surgery. The Scottish Government's Patient Rights Bill proposes a strict limit on how long they have to wait from their surgical referral to receiving their operation.
23 June 2010
NHS Backs 'Psychological Therapies'
Psychological therapies will continue to be rolled out across the NHS in the coming year Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has announced.
NHS Backs 'Psychological Therapies'
Psychological therapies will continue to be rolled out across the NHS in the coming year Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has announced.
14 August 2014
30 Women Recalled For Breast Screening Over Doctor Concerns
Up to 30 women are to be recalled for breast cancer screenings after five patients treated by the same doctor developed the disease. Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust has identified the group of 30 women from a total of 626 that were seen between 2011 and 2014. It is understood that the women need "urgent appointments" for reassessment.
30 Women Recalled For Breast Screening Over Doctor Concerns
Up to 30 women are to be recalled for breast cancer screenings after five patients treated by the same doctor developed the disease. Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust has identified the group of 30 women from a total of 626 that were seen between 2011 and 2014. It is understood that the women need "urgent appointments" for reassessment.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
