Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: Efficacy of Different Acupuncture Methods for Chronic Low Back Pain
Brief Summary: The aim of the study is to evaluate pain intensity over 8 weeks in acupuncture patients with chronic low back pain and to compare 2 different groups of patients which differ in the acupuncture method used to treat the pain.


Options:
A: Inclusion Criteria:

1. Volunteers between 21 and 65 years of age with discogenic low back pain, either with or without radicular pain for more than three months, assessed by the treating physician with the use of imaging. Patients with discogenic low back are chosen in order to study a more uniform pain syndrome, a concern in pain medicine research \[153\]. Patients must have pain for at least three months because 90% of back pain resolves within three months of onset, and back pain beyond this time is more likely to remain chronic \[156\].
2. Average pain intensity of ≥4 on a scale from 0 to 10, because \<4 is considered a level with acceptable pain and function
3. At least an 8th grade English-reading level; English can be a second language provided that the subjects feel they understand all the questions used in the assessment measures.
4. No long-acting opioids. Short acting opioids are acceptable, provided that subjects undergo a 7-10 day washout period. It is not possible to recruit an entirely opioid naïve population.
5. No prescription benzodiazepines.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Any interventional procedure for low back or radicular pain two weeks prior to the study or during the two week study period, such as lumbar epidural steroids, nerve root blocks, or facet joint injections/ radiofrequency lesioning.
2. Having received acupuncture treatment before for any condition.
3. Back surgery in the previous 12 weeks, the intent to undergo back surgery during the study period, or any clinically unstable systemic illness that is judged to interfere with the trial.
4. Non-ambulatory status
5. History of cardiac or nervous system disease that, in the investigator's judgment, precludes participation in the study because of a heightened potential for adverse outcome.
6. An inability to complete questionnaires accurately.
7. . Current opioid treatment through an intrathecal device
8. Cancer or other malignant disease, except carcinoma in situ of the skin or cervix
B: Inclusion Criteria:

* Complaints of back pain lasting more than 12 weeks
* Pain referred larger than 4 according to the 11-points pain scale

Exclusion Criteria:

* No other musculoskeletal injury,
* Individuals diagnosed with structural damage
* Individuals who performed a spine surgery
* Individuals who have sensory abnormalities or dizziness.
* Individuals may not be in physical therapy for reducing low back pain.
* Painkillers or anti-inflammatories use 24 hours before the experimental procedure.
C: Inclusion criteria:

* Diagnosis of low back pain including lumbago, unspecified backache, sprains and strains of sacroiliac, lumbar, sacral, or unspecified regions of the spine
* Back pain must be of at least 3 months duration and rated at least 3 on a symptom bothersomeness scale

Exclusion criteria:

* non-mechanical causes or potential causes of low back pain (i.e. sciatica, underlying systemic or visceral disease, pregnancy, spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, cancer or unexplained weight loss, recent vertebral fracture)
* previous treatment with acupuncture
* inappropriate candidate for acupuncture (i.e. severe clotting disorders or on anticoagulant medication, heart pacemakers)
* characteristics complicating the interpretation of the findings (severe or progressive neurologic deficits, back surgery within the prior three years, planning to seek other treatment for back pain)
* characteristics related to ability to complete the study protocol (unable to speak English, plans to move out of town)
D: Inclusion Criteria:

* diagnosis of chronic low back pain (for at least 3 months) confirmed by a consultant
* indication for treatment of low back pain with acupuncture confirmed by a consultant
* at least 40 mm on a VAS pain scale

Exclusion Criteria:

* acupuncture during the last 6 months
* start of a new therapy for low back pain within the last 4 weeks
* pregnancy
* substance or drug abuse

Answer: D