OBJECTIVETo observe the acupoint distribution and clinical efficacy of lumbar disc herniationi (LDH) with different sensitive types.

METHODSEighty patients with LDH were randomly divided into a heat-sensitive moxibustion group (group A), a heat-sensitive acupuncture group (group B), a force-sensitive acupuncture group (group C) and a force-sensitive moxibustion group (group D), 20 cases in each one. In the group A and the group B, moxibustion and acupuncture were applied at two or three heat-sensitive acupoints separately. In the group C and the group D,acupuncture and moxibustion were used at two or three force-sensitive acupoints respectively. The treatment was given once a day, totally 10 times. The distribution law of the heat-sensitive acupoints and the force-sensitive acupoints and the change of M-JOA before and after treatment were recorded in the four groups.

RESULTSThe frequent heat-sensitive acupoints areas of LDH were at Yaoyangguan (GV 3), Dachangshu (BL 25), Zhiyang(GV 9), Guanyuanshu(BL 26) and Weizhong(BL 40). The major force-sensitive acupoints areas were at Shenshu (BL 23), Dachangshu (BL 25), Tianshu (ST 25), Guilai (ST 29) and Weizhong (BL 40). After treatment, the heat-sensitive acupoints in the group A and the group B were all reduced than those before treatment and the force-sensitive acupoints in the group C and the group D were declined as well (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The M-JOA scores were obviously lower than those before treatment in the four groups (all P < 0.01). The score in the group A was reduced more apparently than that in the group B (P < 0.05). The score in the group C was declined more markedly than that in the group D (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere are diverse acupoints for LDH patients due to different sensitive types. All forms of stimulation can change the functional state of acupoints. Moxibustion is more suitable for heat-sensitive acupoints and acupuncture is optimal for force-sensitive acupoints.