Recoverypreliminary · human dataDiscovery of the day
A meta-analysis of seven randomised trials in active adults found acupuncture-related treatments reduced delayed-onset muscle soreness pain at 24, 48 and 72 hours, by 0.62 to 0.84 points on a 0 to 10 scale, short of the 1.0 to 1.3 point thresholds often cited as clinically meaningful.
- Study design
- Review
- Journal
- J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil
- Evidence
- preliminary
What it shows: The relief looks consistent but tiny: results pooled from seven trials in active adults, and none of the pain reductions reached the one-point mark usually treated as big enough to notice.Review · J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil
Acupuncture-Related interventions for exercise-induced delayed-onset muscle soreness in active adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis for sport rehabilitation. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil 2026Read the study →