OBJECTIVETo explore the effects differences for the third lumbar transverse process syndrome between acupuncture mainly at zygapophyseal joint and transverse process and conventional acupuncture.

METHODSEighty cases were randomly assigned into an observation group and a control group, 40 cases in each one. In the observation group, patients were treated with acupuncture at zygapophyseal joint, transverse process, the superior gluteus nerve into the hip point and Weizhong (BL 40), and those in the control group were treated with acupuncture at Qihaishu (BL 24), Jiaji (EX-B 2) of L-L, the superior gluteus nerve into the hip point and Weizhong (BL 40). The treatment was given 6 times a week for 2 weeks, once a day. The visual analogue scale (VAS), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) low back pain score and simplified Chinese Oswestry disability index (SC-ODI) were observed before and after treatment as well as 6 months after treatment, and the clinical effects were evaluated.

RESULTSThe total effective rate in the observation group was 95.0% (38/40), which was significantly higher than 82.5% (33/40) in the control group (<0.05). After treatment and at follow-up, the VAS score and SC-ODI score were lower and JOA score was higher than those before treatment in the two groups (all<0.05), with better results in the observation group (all<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAcupuncture mainly at zygapophyseal joint and transverse process for the third lumbar transverse process syndrome achieves good effect, which is better than that of conventional acupuncture on relieving pain, improving lumbar function and life quality.