Objective To explore the effects of motor acupuncture based on movement pattern adjustment theory on Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score and the prognosis in patients with non-specific low back pain (NLBP). Methods A total of 98 patients with NLBP who were admitted to the hospital from March 2020 to March 2023 were randomly divided into control group and observation group, with 49 patients in each group. The control group received lumbar and pelvic rhythm training, while the observation group received motor acupuncture based on movement pattern adjustment theory. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, ODI score, JOA score, low back electromyographic signals[the ratio of maximum EMG during extension to maximum EMG during maximum voluntary flexion (EXT/MVF) and the ratio of maximum EMG during flexion to maximum EMG during maximum voluntary flexion (FLEX/MVF)], and serum inflammatory factors[interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α] in both groups were observed before and after treatment. Clinical efficacy and 3-month recurrence rate were compared between the two groups. Results After 2 weeks of treatment, VAS score and ODI score of the observation group were lower than those of the control group, and JOA score was higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). EXT/MVF and FLEX/MVF of the erector spinae and multifidus muscle in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Serum IL-6, IL-1 β and TNF-α levels two weeks after treatment in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(P < 0.05). The effective rate of the observation group was higher, and 3-month recurrence rate of the observation group was lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion Motor acupuncture based on movement pattern adjustment theory can achieve significant therapeutic effect in treating NLBP, which can effectively alleviate pain, improve lumbar function, and reduce inflammatory reactions, with good prognosis and a low recurrence rate.