Brain Imaging Study of Acupuncture in Chronic Low Back Pain

Inclusion Criteria: * Meet the Classification Criteria of chronic LBP (having low back pain for more than 6 months), as determined by the referring physician * At least 4/10 clinical pain on the 10-point LBP intensity scale on average during the past two weeks prior to enrollment * At least a 10th grade English-reading level; English can be a second language provided that the patients feel they understand all the questions used in the assessment measures * Must have had a prior evaluation of their low back pain by a health care provider, which may include radiographic studies. Documentation of this evaluation will be obtained from the subject's medical record Exclusion Criteria: * Specific causes of back pain (e.g., cancer, fractures, spinal stenosis, infections) * Radicular pain extending below the knee * Complicated back problems (e.g., prior back surgery, medicolegal issues) * Possible contraindications for acupuncture (e.g., coagulation disorders, cardiac pacemakers, pregnancy, seizure disorder), and conditions that might confound treatment effects or interpretation of results (e.g., severe fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis) * Conditions making study participation difficult (e.g., paralysis, psychoses, or other severe psychological problems as per the judgment of a study investigator and/or a T score \> 60 on the psychological measures assessed during Session 1) * Prior acupuncture treatment for back pain; 1 year minimum wait for any condition other condition. * Active substance abuse disorder in the past two years, as determined by subject self-report. * The intent to undergo surgery during the time of involvement in the study. * History of cardiac, respiratory, or nervous system disease that, in the investigator's judgment, precludes participation in the study because of a heightened potential for adverse outcome. For example: asthma or claustrophobia. * Presence of any contraindications to MRI scanning. For example: cardiac pacemaker, metal implants, fear of closed spaces, pregnancy. * Unresolved legal/disability/workers compensation claims in connection with low back. * Instability of pain ratings in Session 2 or Session 3. * Use of more than 60 mg prescription opioids or steroids for pain.