Study on the efficacy and mechanism of dragon-tiger fight needling method in treating lumbar disc herniation
10.1007/s11726-025-1481-5
- VernacularTitle:龙虎交战针刺法治疗腰椎间盘突出症的疗效及机制研究
- Author:
Jun WU
;
Daoming WANG
;
Lin GUI
;
Kaiwei ZHANG
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Acupuncture Therapy;
Dragon-tiger Fighting;
Needling Technique;
Low Back Pain;
Lumbar Disc Herniation;
Acupuncture Analgesia;
Pain Measurement
- From:
Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science
2025;23(1):73-81
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To observe the analgesic effect and therapeutic mechanism of the dragon-tiger fight needling method in treating lumbar disc herniation(LDH).Methods:A total of 100 patients with LDH were selected and randomly divided into an observation group and a control group,with 50 patients in each group.Both groups received the same basic treatment of Western medicine.The observation group received additional acupuncture treatment using the dragon-tiger fight needling method,administered once every other day for a consecutive month.Before and after treatment,the serum levels of bradykinin(BK),soluble tumor necrosis factor type 1 receptor(sTNF-R1),α1-acid glycoprotein(α1-AGP),phospholipase A2(PLA2),methionine enkephalin(M-ENK),β-endorphin(β-EP),and 6-keto prostaglandin E1α(6-keto-PGE1α)were measured in both groups.Additionally,the sensory conduction velocities(SCV)of the sural nerve and superficial peroneal nerve,as well as the biomechanical indicators of lumbar muscles(including the lumbar flexion-extension ratio and peak torque and average power in the lumbar extension position)were assessed.The Oswestry disability index(ODI)was evaluated,and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)symptoms were scored for patients in both groups.After treatment,the clinical efficacy of the two groups was compared.Results:After treatment,the serum levels of α1-AGP and PLA2 in both groups decreased compared to their respective pre-treatment levels(P<0.05),and the levels in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The serum levels of sTNF-R1 in both groups increased compared to their respective pre-treatment levels(P<0.05),and the levels in the observation group were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).The serum levels of 6-keto-PGE1α and BK in both groups decreased significantly compared to their respective pre-treatment levels(P<0.05),and the levels in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The serum levels of M-ENK and β-EP in both groups increased compared to their respective pre-treatment levels(P<0.05),and the levels in the observation group were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).The lumbar flexion-extension ratio in both groups decreased compared to their respective pre-treatment level(P<0.05),and the ratio in the observation group was lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).The peak torque and average power in the lumbar extension position increased in both groups compared to their respective pre-treatment levels(P<0.05),and both values in the observation group were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).The SCV of the superficial peroneal nerve and sural nerve in both groups increased compared to their respective pre-treatment levels(P<0.05),and the values in the observation group were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).The ODI and TCM symptom scores in both groups decreased(P<0.05),and the scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Based on Western medicine treatment,acupuncture treatment using the dragon-tiger fight needling method for LDH patients can inhibit inflammatory markers,regulate pain mediator levels,alleviate pain,improve the biomechanical and electromyographic indicators of lumbar extensor muscles,and thus enhance lumbar function and clinical efficacy.
