Southampton researchers have discovered that acupuncture is an effective treatment for patients suffering chronic pain.

Professor George Lewith from the University of Southampton worked with experts across the world to compare the pain relief benefit of acupuncture to usual care for patients living with chronic neck, back and joint pain.

The results showed that traditional acupuncture – which involves the insertion of fine needles into certain points in the body – helped to ease the pain more effectively.

It is hoped this study will encouraged more doctors to recommend it as safe and effective treatment to their patients.

George Lewith, Professor of Health Research and a co-author of the study, said: “Acupuncture is a treatment that is not readily recommended by clinicians but these results will confirm that the effects of acupuncture are beneficial.”