Each year millions of pounds are wasted by the National Health Service (NHS) on try treating back pain, money which should be used on alternative therapies like acupuncture and spinal manipulation says a health service watchdog.

The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) tested 200 treatments and devices claimed at helping sufferers of bad backs. Of these treatments and devices, steroid injections, ultrasound and X-rays have been deemed worthless and chiropractic treatment, osteopathy and acupuncture have been deemed useful.

NHS and alternative therapies

It is the first time the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) has suggested the NHS should spend money on alternative treatments like chiropractic treatment, osteopathy and acupuncture rather than scientifically proven treatments and therapies.

A pain in the back

Back pain is one of the most common excuses for visits to the local GP. Each year in the United Kingdom it effects 1 in 3 adults, with an estimated 2.5 million people seeking help from their GP. Each year the NHS spends a total of £1.5bn on try to treat back pain, and according to NICE, much of that is wasted on worthless treatments.

The standard advice for people who suffer problems with their back has not changed for decades - avoid prolonged bed rest and aim to carry on with normal daily life.

Paying for alternative therapies

NICE suggest that only those patients who suffer prolonged and persistant lower back pain should be given alternative treatments like chiropractic treatment, osteopathy and acupuncture as, usually, non-persist sufferers of lower back ache can cure their pain by taking a paracetamol every four hours and carry on with normal daily life.

The Nice research panel that drew up the guideline expects acupuncture to be the most popular option, with the estimated annual cost to be approximately £24m in England and Wales.

Manual therapy is expected to cost almost £16m and exercise therapy almost £900,000.

Those with severe back pain may be offered up to 100 hours of physical and psychological treatment over the course of two months, at a cost of £4,000 a head.

Even at this high cost, the expense can be justified when set against long-term costs of existing ineffective treatments, disability benefits and lost production, Nice says.