ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of meridian differentiation-based point selection plus qi-guiding acupuncture in treating lumbar intervertebral disc herniation.MethodFive hundred and forty-nine patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation were randomly allocated, using a random number table, to two groups. The treatment group of 280 patients received qi-guiding acupuncture at points selected according to meridian differentiation and the control group, electroacupuncture at points selected according to meridian differentiation.ResultThe total efficacy rate was 87.5% in the treatment group and 86.6% in the control group; there was no statistically significantdifference between the two groups (P>0.05). The cure rate was 51.8% in the treatment group and41.6% in the control group; there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). ConclusionThe total efficacy rate of qi-guiding acupuncture at points selected according to meridian differentiation for lumbar intervertebral disc herniation is similar to that of electroacupuncture at points selected according to meridian differentiation, but the cure rate of the former is higher thanthat of the latter.