ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To search for an effective method for treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The treatment group (n = 32) were treated by acupuncture combined with cupping therapy and the control group (n = 30) by simple acupuncture for 40 days.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The clinical remission rate was 62.5% in the treatment group and 33.3% in the control group with a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.01); the total effective rate in the treatment group was 93.8% which was better than 83.3% in the control group (P<0.01); the recurrence rate after one year was 3.3% in the treatment group and 24.0% in the control group with significant difference between the two groups (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture combined with cupping therapy in the therapeutic effect on ankylosing spondylitis is better than simple acupuncture, with shorter therapeutic course and lower recurrence rate.</p>