[Observation on therapeutic effect of fire-needle therapy on lumbar intervertebral disc herniation].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the therapeutic effect of fire-needle therapy on lumbar intervertebral disc herniation.


METHODS
Sixty cases were randomly divided into a fire-needle group and an electroacupuncture group, 30 cases in each group. The fire-needle group was treated with fire-needle therapy and routine acupuncture, i.e., the fire-needle was given to the points on the lesion segments, and Jiaji (EX-B 2) and Ashi points above and bellow the segments, and routine acupuncture was given at Shenshu (BL 23), Zhibian (BL 54), Huantiao (GB 30), etc.; the electroacupuncture group was treated with electroacupuncture at the points as those in the fire-needle group. The scores of McGill Pain Rating Scale, Visual Analogous Scale (VAS) and present pain intensity (PPI) were compared before and after treatment for 2 weeks in the two groups.


RESULTS
After treatment, all of the scores of McGill Pain Rating Scale, VAS and PPI were significantly decreased (all P < 0.01); the scores of emotion in the McGill Pain Rating Scale, VAS and PPI in the fire-needle group were significantly decreased as compared with those of the electroacupuncture group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Both fire-needle therapy and electroacupuncture can effectively relieve pain in the patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation, but the former is better than the latter.
Yang
Li-yan
LY
Department of TCM Rehabilitation, Luohu District Hospital of TCM, Shenzhen 518001, China. yly1982@126.com
Lu
De-jian
DJ
Li
Yan-hui
YH
D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015671:Electroacupuncture / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000628:therapy*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult