OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effects of Pizhen in treating lumbar disc herniation combined with buttock tender node.

METHODSFrom August 2009 to February 2010,83 patients (29 males and 54 females) with lumbar disc herniation combined with buttock tender node were randomly divided into the Pizhen group and acupuncture group. Pizhen group were treated with Pizhen manipulation, inserting needle by vertical prick with quacking inserting and quick withdrawing the needle, no rotating and the depth was through the surface of fascia, two times as a course of treatment; acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture, inserting Ashi-point, retaining the needle 20 min, ten times as a course of treatment. VAS scoring at the end of treatment and B ultrasonic image at 3d after treatment was carried out to observe the therapeutic effects.

RESULTSB ultrasonic image of buttock tender node showed inflammation reaction or ellipse. The width of the inflammation reaction decreased after treatment, but there has no statistical significance (P=0.635). There was no significant difference between two groups (P=0.813).

CONCLUSIONPizhen manipulation is better than acupuncture. B ultrasonic image gives morphological performance of buttock tender node, the content is inflammatory infiltrates. B ultrasound has certainly significance in diagnosing, treating and evaluating the clinical effect of Pizhen manipulation on treating buttock tender node.