For around 3 million people their pain lasts throughout the year.
Acupressure is more effective in reducing lower back pain than standard physical therapies, a study suggests.
Researchers in Taiwan found the effects of the therapy which involves applying pressure on points stimulated by acupuncture lasted for six months.
They gave 129 patients six doses of either acupressure or physical therapy over a month and compared the results.
The study in the BMJ Online also found those who had acupressure had improved body function and were less disabled.
The acupressure group received sessions using a uniform technique.
The research team from the Institute of Preventive Medicine at the National Taiwan University in Taipei questioned all patients on their symptoms before the treatment and afterwards, and then again six months later.
They asked them how much pain they were in, whether it interfered with work and how many days off they had had.
They also asked how much their sleep was disturbed and how satisfied they were.
Combination of therapies
The team found acupressure resulted in an 89% reduction in disability compared to physical therapy.
They also found those in the acupressure group reported greater benefits in terms of leg pain, interference with work and days off from work or school.
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