Does acupuncture really help out???

does it really help out a tense back?

I think acupuncture and alternative medicine is great and really works for me - but doesn't work for everyone!
I've recommended lots of different therapies and one had quite an adverse effect on my son. I am now not so quick to recommend but I would suggest that you try them out and see what works for you .
Good luck and most of all have fun!

Yes, but acupressure and massage also work. If you have a close friend, you could both learn how to give good reflexology-chinese medicine massages.
Buy a floor mat that has rubber studs protruding upward, and lie down on it, massaging your back muscles deeply. I keep one (like for back porches or automobiles) in my bathtub.

yes but so does yoga and stretching

Yes, it does - I think I owe it at least a half of my life!:)
Depending on a problem, it sometimes works straight away, and sometimes you need to go for several treatments before you get to feel a real improvement (and when I say "real", I mean real, because acupuncture works on a cause of dis-ease, rather than only removing the symptoms).

Obviously, choose your practitioner carefully. Make sure that he/she had attended a recognised/registered acupuncture school (unfortunately, there are plenty "acupuncture courses" over the Internet and elsewhere offering acupuncture and other "medical" qualifications after a few months correspondence course... Worth staying well clear from!).

How it works (http://acupuncturedoc.com/acupuncture.ht...
The life force or healing force is called Qi (pronounced chee) and flows through a system of twelve major pathways or meridians. Each meridian is connected internally to a specific organ such as the lung, spleen, etc. The acupuncture points along these pathways on the surface of the skin can therefore be used to affect a corresponding internal organ. These acupuncture points can be measured as areas of higher electrical skin conductance. The qi in the meridians is balanced, resulting in a state of ease, and well-being.

Yes; yes; yes! I have numerous back issues & I am on all kinds of medicines for pain. I have to wear a back brace & drive with special cushions.
After only 2 visits to an accupuncturist, I was off all my pain meds & pain free!

why not? people do all kinds of stuff to get rid of their pain.

Yes, it does.......depending on the skill of the practitioner. In most cases, you should notice improvement from the first treatment.

Good luck.

Acupuncture is at best a placebo.