--- title: "Self-Administered Acupressure for Chronic Low Back Pain: A…" description: "Self-administered acupressure shows promise for reducing pain and fatigue in people with chronic low back pain." url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/acupressure_clbp.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/acupressure_clbp.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/acupressure_clbp.html" type: "study" study_key: "acupressure_clbp" journal: "Pain Med" year: 2019 pmid: "31237610" doi: "10.1093/pm/pnz138" citations: 1 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" --- # Self-Administered Acupressure for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Self-Administered Acupressure for Chronic Low Back Pain: A… **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/acupressure_clbp.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/acupressure_clbp ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | Pain Med | | Year | 2019 | | PMID | [31237610](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31237610/) | | DOI | [10.1093/pm/pnz138](https://doi.org/10.1093/pm/pnz138) | | Study key | acupressure_clbp | ## Takeaway Self-administered acupressure shows promise for reducing pain and fatigue in people with chronic low back pain. ## The question Can self-administered acupressure reduce fatigue, pain, sleep problems, and disability in individuals with chronic low back pain (CLBP)? ## Hypothesis Self-administered acupressure, specifically relaxing and stimulating types, will improve fatigue, pain, sleep, and reported disability in individuals with CLBP. ## Methods A randomized pilot trial (N=67) assigned participants to six weeks of either relaxing acupressure, stimulating acupressure, or usual care. Outcomes measured included fatigue (Brief Fatigue Inventory), pain (Brief Pain Inventory), sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), and reported disability (Roland Morris Scale). An intent-to-treat analysis using general linear models was performed. ## Results Baseline characteristics were similar across all groups. Both acupressure groups showed positive improvement in pain compared to usual care, with pain reduced by 35-36%. Stimulating acupressure also led to improved fatigue compared to usual care. Minimal adverse events were reported, primarily due to applying too much pressure. ## Conclusion This pilot study suggests that self-administered acupressure may be effective in reducing pain and fatigue in individuals with chronic low back pain. ## Limitations This was a small pilot study, which limits the generalizability of the findings. ## Verbatim from the abstract > Pain was reduced by 35–36% in the acupressure groups compared with usual care… acupressure demonstrated promising support of efficacy for pain and fatigue reduction. ## Pain Reduction in Acupressure Groups | Measure | Pain Reduction (%) | | --- | --- | | Relaxing Acupressure | 35 | | Stimulating Acupressure | 36 | *Both relaxing and stimulating acupressure groups experienced a significant reduction in pain compared to usual care.* ## Where this study is used on Magellan This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions. | Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages | | --- | --- | --- | | Acupressure Mat & Pillow Set | Emerging evidence | [Acupressure Mat & Pillow Set](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/209.md) | ## Reference 1. **Self-Administered Acupressure for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial** Pain Med 2019 · [PMID 31237610](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31237610/) · [DOI 10.1093/pm/pnz138](https://doi.org/10.1093/pm/pnz138) > Pain was reduced by 35–36% in the acupressure groups compared with usual care… acupressure demonstrated promising support of efficacy for pain and fatigue reduction. ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/acupressure_clbp.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/acupressure_clbp.html","name":"Self-Administered Acupressure for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial","description":"Self-administered acupressure shows promise for reducing pain and fatigue in people with chronic low back pain.","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/acupressure_clbp.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Self-Administered Acupressure for Chronic Low Back Pain: A…","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/acupressure_clbp.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/acupressure_clbp.html#study","name":"Self-Administered Acupressure for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial","headline":"Self-Administered Acupressure for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial","datePublished":"2019","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"Pain Med"},"identifier":"PMID:31237610","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31237610/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.1093/pm/pnz138","abstract":"Self-administered acupressure shows promise for reducing pain and fatigue in people with chronic low back pain."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [Acupressure Mat & Pillow Set](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/209.md) — product graded on this and related evidence - [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) - [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md) ## Scope and disclosures Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).