OBJECTIVETo observe the differences in the clinical therapeutic effects on lumbar disc herniation among warm needling therapy, electroacupuncture therapy and common acupuncture therapy.

METHODSOne hundred and thirty-six cases of lumbar disc herniation were randomized into a warm needling group (46 cases), an electroacupuncture group (45 cases) and a common acupuncture group (45 cases). The points were the same in the three groups. The main points were Shiqizhui (EX-B 8), Yaoyangguan (GV 3), Huantiao (GB 30), Yanglingquan (GB 34), Jiaji (EX-B 2) (corresponding tender points). In the warm manipulation group, the warm and dredging manipulation was adopted. In the electroacupuncture group, G6805- II electric acupuncture apparatus was attached. In the common acupuncture group, only common needling therapy was applied without any specific manipulation supplemented. In all of the three groups, the treatment was given once every two days, 10 treatments made one session. After one session of treatment, the comprehensive assessment score of the chief symptoms and physical signs, VAS score and the clinical efficacy were compared among the three groups.

RESULTSThe score of the chief symptoms and physical signs and VAS score after treatment were all reduced as compared with those before treatment in all of the three groups, indicating the statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). All of the three therapies could relieve the chief symptoms and physical signs of lumbar disc herniation. After treatment, the total effective rate was 89.1% (41/46) in the warm manipulation group, 88.9% (40/50) in the electroacupuncture group and 71.1% (32/45) in the common acupuncture group. The efficacies were not different apparently between the warm manipulation group and the electroacupuncture group (P > 0.05). The efficacies in the warm manipulation group and the electroacupuncture group were all superior to the common acupuncture group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe efficacies of the warm and dredging manipulation and the electroacupuncture therapy are superior to the common acupuncture therapy in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation.