One of the recent NIH funded studies showed that acupuncture was twice as effective as conventional therapy for treating low back pain.

FORBES: Does NIH recommend acupuncture?

As many as 20% of spinal fusions are for ordinary low back pain and may not be supported by good evidence, says Derrick Sung, an analyst at Sanford C.

FORBES: Neurosurgery

When you consider the terrible side-effects caused by even over the counter pain relievers millions of people take every day for low back pain, it seems unethical to ignore the good news of these studies just because the mechanisms for how acupuncture works baffle us.

FORBES: Does NIH recommend acupuncture?

But there is a backlash over whether the equipment is overused on patients with ordinary back pain who would do just as well with low-tech treatment.

FORBES: Magazine Article

But to keep it alive, the Saudis might have to use their muscle significantly boost output and gut oil prices low enough that it inflicts enough financial pain on its wayward brethren to get them back in line.

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