ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Bai Xiao moxibustion plus electroacupuncture in treating lumbar intervertebral disc herniation (LIDH). Method Ninety-six LIDH patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 48 cases each. The treatment group was intervened by Bai Xiao moxibustion plus electroacupuncture, while the control group was intervened by electroacupuncture alone. Before and after the treatment, the lower back pain scores of Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were evaluated, and the clinical efficacies of the two groups were compared. Result The JOA and VAS lower back pain scores were changed significantly after the treatment in both groups (P<0.05). After the treatment, the JOA and VAS lower back pain scores of the treatment group were significantly different from those of the control group (P<0.05). The pain release time was (2.95±0.59)d after the intervention in the treatment group versus (4.26±0.68)d in the control group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 95.7％ in the treatment group versus 91.7％ in the control group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Bai Xiao moxibustion plus electroacupuncture is an effective method in treating LIDH and it can reduce the lower back pain.