This article is related to a Cochrane Protocol/Review which is published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews where it will be regularly updated. Cochrane Reviews are of a high standard and are not evaluated by a CRD Reviewer. The citation is: Furlan AD, van Tulder MW, Cherkin D, Tsukayama H, Lao L, Koes BW, Berman BM. Acupuncture and dry-needling for low back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD001351. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001351.pub2.