Acupuncture vs. pills: which works better for slipped discs?

NCT ID NCT06024460

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This study compares non-drug treatments (acupuncture, spinal manipulation) with standard medications (painkillers, injections) for people with a herniated disc in the lower back who have had pain for at least a month. 200 adults aged 19-69 will be randomly assigned to one of the two approaches and followed for 3 years. The goal is to see which strategy provides better long-term pain relief and function.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

What this could lead to

If successful, this could show that non-drug treatments like acupuncture and spinal manipulation work as well as or better than medications for herniated disc pain, offering a drug-free option.

What could go wrong

This is a pragmatic trial comparing existing treatments, not testing a new breakthrough. Results may not apply to all patients, and pain relief varies individually.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Intervertebral Disc Displacement lumbar disk disease lumbar disk herniation, susceptibility to

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Bucheon Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine

    RECRUITING

    Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 14598, South Korea

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Daejeon Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine

    RECRUITING

    Daejeon, South Korea

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Haeundae Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine

    RECRUITING

    Busan, South Korea

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine

    RECRUITING

    Seoul, Gangnam-Gu, 135-896, South Korea

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••