Acupuncture wins approval for NHS

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The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) published new advice for those working in the NHS but admitted current access to the therapies varied across England and Wales.

Key treatments recommended in the guideline include patients taking part in a tailored exercise programme for up to 12 weeks.

Others are a course of manual therapy, including spinal manipulation, for a maximum of nine sessions over 12 weeks, acupuncture for a maximum of 10 sessions up to 12 weeks, and a combined programme of physical and psychological treatment for people suffering a high level of disability or significant psychological distress.

Nice said a raft of other treatments and tests - including X-rays, ultrasounds and MRI scans - should not be used except in certain circumstances.

It also recommended dropping the use of electrical machines such as TENS units to relieve back pain and the use of therapeutic substances injected into the back.

Experts from Nice also said there should be no early surgical intervention or the use of psychological therapy on its own.

Professor Martin Underwood, a GP in Coventry who also chaired the committee overseeing the new guidance, said he was excited about the new advice.

But he admitted that although the recommended treatments are currently in use across the NHS, their availability is patchy.

He said: "It's very variable at the moment. In some areas, people will get quite good access to these facilities but in other areas they won't be available."