OBJECTIVETo explore a safe and effective method for the treatment of low back pain in the cutaneous nerve, and to clarify the indication of Pi needle to treat it.

METHODSFrom January 2003 to December 2004, 278 patients with cutaneous nerve entrapment low back pain were divided into two groups: Pi needle group and electrical stimulation group. In the Pi needle group, there were 68 males and 70 females, ranging in age from 20 to 60 years old, with an average of(41.92±10.88)years old. In the electrical stimulation group, there were 68 males and 72 females, ranging in age from 18 to 60 years old, with an average of(41.44±10.47) years old. The pain, tenderness and soft tissue tension of the two groups were measured and compared before and after treatment.

RESULTSAll of the selected cases were qualified. No suspension, culling and shedding cases occurred in either group. In Pi needle group, visual analog scale(VAS) of pain decreased from 8.78±1.52 before treatment to 1.33±1.33 after treatment;and in electrical stimulation group, VASof pain decreased from 8.59±1.76 before treatment to 5.20±2.64 after treatment;and the VAS of pain of the Pi needle group was lower than that of the electrical stimulation group. In Pi needle group, VAS of tenderness decreased from 9.12±1.24 before treatment to 1.60±1.36 after treatment;and in electrical stimulation group, VAS of pain decreased from 8.79±1.60 before treatment to 5.34±2.60 after treatment;and the VAS of pain of the Pi needle group was lower than that of the electrical stimulation group.

CONCLUSIONSOnce tissue texture changes to pain point, cord, nodules, Pi needle is the first line treatment for the cutaneous nerve entrapment low back pain.