The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has recommended the use of acupuncture for NHS patients.

For the first time, back pain sufferers will be offered complimentary therapies on NHS. NICE recommends that people with lower back pain should be prescribed a course of acupuncture, exercise classes or some form of manual therapy or massage if their symptoms persist for six weeks or more.

Statistics show that back ache is the cause of one in six days off work and one in three will suffer during their life time.

Healthcare litigation partner, Zoe Holland welcomes the move.

"The recommendation from NICE to offer complementary medicine at a cost to the NHS is a significant move. As a back pain sufferer myself, I welcome the alternative to strong pain killers. I also act for a number of clients with back conditions and their reaction to the recommendation has been very positive. It remains to be seen whether patient access to therapies will be as widely available as it needs to be"