title: [Observation on therapeutic effect of Tongluo Guben needling method for lumbar disc herniation].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the better treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and thirty-two cases of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, sixty-six cases in each group. In observation group, Baihui (GV 20) penetrating to Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Jiaji (EX-B 2), Huantiao (GB 30) and Chengfu (BL 36) etc. on affect side were applied; in control group, Shenshu (BL 23), Dachangshu (BL 25), Huantiao (GB 30) and Chengfu (BL 36) etc. on affect side were applied. Once a day, 6 treatments made one session and one day break between courses. The curative effects after 4 and 8 courses and the recurrence rate that 6 months after treatment were observed; the pain scale evaluated by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were observed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The cured rate and total effective rate were 44.3% (27/61) and 100.0% (61/61) in observation group, 26.7% (16/60) and 93.3% (56/60) in control group after 4 courses; there were significant differences between two groups (all P < 0.05). After 8 courses, the cured rate and total effective rate were no significant differences between two groups (all P > 0.05). In observation group, the recurrence rate was 9.4% (5/53) 6 months after treatment, which was lower than that (24.1%,13/54) in control group (P < 0.05). The VAS and ODI scale were significantly reduced (all P < 0.05) after treatment, and which in observation group were inferior to those in control group (all P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The lumbar intervertebral disc herniation treated with puncture by opening meridian and consolidating origin is rapidly effected with low recurrence rate.
authors.affiliation: Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Affiliated to Shanghai University of TCM, Shanghai 200437, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Zheng
authors.initials: XZ
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Chun-Ling
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Bao
authors.forename: Gui-Rong
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Dong
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000628:therapy*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D016740:Meridians; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement