Brain Imaging Study of Acupuncture in Chronic Low Back Pain

Inclusion Criteria:

- Meet the Classification Criteria of chronic LBP (having low back pain for more than 6
months), as determined by the referring physician

- At least 4/10 clinical pain on the 10-point LBP intensity scale on average during the
past two weeks prior to enrollment

- At least a 10th grade English-reading level; English can be a second language provided
that the patients feel they understand all the questions used in the assessment
measures

- Must have had a prior evaluation of their low back pain by a health care provider,
which may include radiographic studies. Documentation of this evaluation will be
obtained from the subject's medical record

Exclusion Criteria:

- Specific causes of back pain (e.g., cancer, fractures, spinal stenosis, infections)

- Radicular pain extending below the knee

- Complicated back problems (e.g., prior back surgery, medicolegal issues)

- Possible contraindications for acupuncture (e.g., coagulation disorders, cardiac
pacemakers, pregnancy, seizure disorder), and conditions that might confound treatment
effects or interpretation of results (e.g., severe fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis)

- Conditions making study participation difficult (e.g., paralysis, psychoses, or other
severe psychological problems as per the judgment of a study investigator and/or a T
score > 60 on the psychological measures assessed during Session 1)

- Prior acupuncture treatment for back pain; 1 year minimum wait for any condition other
condition.

- Active substance abuse disorder in the past two years, as determined by subject
self-report.

- The intent to undergo surgery during the time of involvement in the study.

- History of cardiac, respiratory, or nervous system disease that, in the investigator's
judgment, precludes participation in the study because of a heightened potential for
adverse outcome. For example: asthma or claustrophobia.

- Presence of any contraindications to MRI scanning. For example: cardiac pacemaker,
metal implants, fear of closed spaces, pregnancy.

- Unresolved legal/disability/workers compensation claims in connection with low back.

- Instability of pain ratings in Session 2 or Session 3.

- Use of more than 60 mg prescription opioids or steroids for pain.