Bloodletting at Auricular Points versus Acupuncture at Specific Points for Analgesia in Acute Lumbar Sprain / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To compare the effects between bloodletting at auricular points and acupuncture at specific points [Yintang (GV 29) or Yanglao (SI 6)] for analgesia in acute lumbar sprain.Method Totally 100 patients with acute lumbar sprain were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 50 cases in each group. The treatment group was intervened by bloodletting at auricular points, while the control group was by acupuncture at specific points [Yintang (GV 29) or Yanglao (SI 6). The Present Pain Intensity (PPI) from the Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire was taken as the observation index. The changes of PPI were compared respectively 10 min and 30 min after treatment.Result The PPI scores were significantly changed 30 min after treatment in both groups (P<0.05). The PPI scores in the treatment group were significantly different from that in the control group both 10 min and 30 min after intervention (P<0.05).Conclusion Bloodletting at auricular points and acupuncture at specific points are both effective in releasing pain in acute lumbar sprain, while bloodletting at auricular points can produce a more significant real-time analgesic effect.