Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion Criteria: * Male or female participants aged ≥ 18 years * Participants experiencing low back pain for at least 3 months (\>12 weeks) * Highest low back pain intensity within the past 2 weeks with a score of ≥ 3 on a 0-10 Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) * Receiving pharmacological therapy with a stable analgesic regimen for at least 2 weeks prior to enrollment * Presence of physical functional disability as indicated by an Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score \> 20% * Willing and able to participate in the study until completion and to provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * History of hypersensitivity reactions to acupuncture or thread embedding acupuncture, or known allergy to stainless steel or polydioxanone (PDO) threads * History of keloid formation * Presence of scars (cicatrices) or skin disorders at the thread embedding acupuncture insertion sites in the lower back area * Specific spinal pathology including fracture, tumor, infection, or severe lumbar spinal stenosis requiring surgical intervention * Structural spinal abnormalities (scoliosis or kyphosis) detected on physical examination * History of spinal surgery or indication for spinal surgery due to severe neurological deficits * Presence of cardiac disease, hematological disorders, or uncontrolled diabetes mellitus * Regular use of systemic steroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antiplatelet agents, anticoagulants, or topical analgesic medications * Receipt of other treatments for low back pain, including dry needling, neuromuscular taping, spinal injections, or acupuncture within the past 2 weeks, or thread embedding acupuncture within the past 6 months * Severe cognitive impairment, severe psychiatric or psychological disorders, or history of alcohol or substance abuse * Pregnant or breastfeeding women, or women planning pregnancy within the next 6 months * Body mass index (BMI) \< 18 kg/m²