Observations on the Efficacy of Du-reinforcing and Meridian-unblocking Acupuncture in Treating Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Herniation

Objective To compare the efficacy of Du-reinforcing and meridian-unblocking acupuncture with conventional acupuncture in treating lumbar intervertebral disc herniation.Methods Three hundred and twenty-eight patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation were randomly allocated to a treatment group of 238 cases and a control group of 90 cases.The treatment group received Du-reinforcing and meridian-unblocking acupuncture and the control group,conventional acupuncture.Results The clinical cure rate and the total efficacy rate were 61.8% and 95.8%,respectively,in the treatment group and 25.5% and 73.3%,respectively,in the control group.There was a statistically significant difference in therapeutic effect between the two groups(P0.05).After treatment,the pain was markedly relieved and its score was significantly lower than before(P0.01,P0.05).There were statistically significant differences in post-treatment pain severity and pre-/post-treatment score difference between the two groups(P0.05).Conclusions Du-reinforcing and meridian-unblocking acupuncture is an effective way to treat lumbar intervertebral disc herniation.