BackInAction is a research study funded by the National Institutes of Health. The BackInAction study team is working to find out if adding acupuncture is better than regular medical care for adults 65 and older with chronic low back pain.
Acupuncture is a form of traditional East Asian medicine that has been practices for centuries. It is commonly used to treat or relieve pain in the body. For more information about acupuncture, read our acupuncture FAQs in the next section.
You may be eligible for this study if:
If you are eligible and decide to join this study, you may receive acupuncture services. You will receive compensation for surveys.
Call 929-237-9821 or email imcoordinator@institute.org to join.
If you are eligible for this study and decide to join, you may be randomly chosen to receive acupuncture services on top of your usual care. Other people may receive more acupuncture services or no acupuncture services. These groups are randomly assigned.
Acupuncture is a form of traditional East Asian medicine that has been practiced for centuries. Acupuncture uses very thin needles on certain points of the body to help it heal. The needles are not shots, and they do not inject anything into your body. They are only used once in specific spots.
The acupuncture provider or acupuncturist may also give you advice about food, exercise, and sleep.
Acupuncture treats inflammation (or swelling) and pain. It can treat many conditions. In this study, we will use acupuncture to treat chronic low back pain.
When a needle is put in at a certain point, it might cause a small sting. There are some patients who feel nothing at all. You might feel mild discomfort when the needle is put in, but it should go away once the needles are in place. Most patients feel very relaxed during and after acupuncture treatment.
Acupuncture sessions are typically 1 hour. Your acupuncturist will spend some of this time asking you questions or examining the part of your back where you feel pain.
Dr. Raymond Teets leads the BackInAction study at the Institute for Family Health as the principal investigator. He is in leadership positions in Integrative Medicine at the Institute for Family Health, Mount Sinai, and Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine and Health. Dr. Teets provides family medical care at the Institute for Family Health at the 17th Street and Cadman Plaza sites. Outside of work he enjoys playing soccer.
Arya Nielsen, PhD is on faculty at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and is a consultant to IFH on the BackInAction study as an acupuncture research expert. She has been in practice for over 45 years is also a leader in Integrative medicine including as a Board member with the Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine & Health. Dr. Nielsen works to promote access for all patients to evidence-based nondrug therapies.
Donna Mah is a NYS licensed acupuncturist responsible for coordinating clinic logistics with our research acupuncture team. She enjoys the innovation that research can contribute to access, equity and integration in patient care. Stories, food and music (including ongoing attempts to learn ukulele) make for the fun shared in and outside of work.
Matthew Beyrouty is the project manager, providing administrative oversight to the study. Matt loves the process of creating better systems that help patients access the care they need. He loves his daily walks with his dog and travelling to new places.
Estefhany Soto is the research coordinator assistant. She is a physician, internal medicine specialist with focus in Integrative Medicine, research and yoga. Estefhany is very hopeful about science, research contributions and making integrative health accessible to everyone. She loves walking, drinking coffee and eating bread all around the world.
If you are a clinician and you have a patient who you think would be a good fit for the BackInAction study, you can make a referral by email. Email imcoordinator@institute.org and put “Referral” in the subject line.
We look forward to hearing from you!
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