Clinical Observation on HE’s Three Removing Obstruction Methods of Acupuncture-Moxibustion for 53 Cases of Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Herniation

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of HE’s three removing obstruction methods of acupuncture-moxibustion for lumbar intervertebral disc herniation (LDH). Methods Totally 106 cases of LDH were randomized into the treatment group and control group, with 53 in each. The treatment group was given HE’s three removing obstruction methods of acupuncture-moxibustion according to different patterns. The control group was given massage and traction. The treatment lasted for 3 weeks. The visual analogue scales (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI) and Japanese orthopedic association low back pain score (JOA) were used to evaluate the degree of pain and daily social life activity before and after 1-week and 3-week treatment. The therapeutic effect was compared between groups after 3-week treatment. The VAS and JOA scores were followed up in 6 months after treatment. Results Scores in VAS, JOA and ODI in both groups were significantly improved after 1-week or 3-week treatment (P0.05 or P0.01) compared with those before treatment. There were significant differences between groups in VAS, JOA and ODI after 1-week treatment (P0.05). The total effective rate of the treatment group and control group was 92.4% and 88.7% respectively, with no significant difference between groups (P0.05). There were significant differences in VAS and JOA in both groups (P0.01) between before treatment and during follow-up. Conclusion HE’s three removing obstruction methods of acupuncture-moxibustion can relieve localized pain and clinical symptoms of LDH patients with a rapid onset and better efficacy as compared with traction and massage.