Dragon Warring Main Needle For Lumbar Disc Herniation Clinical Observation

Objectives: To study the efficacy of acupuncture compared with a special needling technique called Fight between Dragon and Tiger ( FDT ) and routine needling technique in patients with lumbago which is caused by herniation of lumbar intervertebral disc.( HIVD ) Methods: 20 patients who were diagnosed as HIVD under CT or MRI examination were randomised to two groups: FDT group.( n=9 ) and control group( n=11, routine needling methods ). Each group was administered by the same specialized acupuncturist and consisted of two treatment courses with 10 sessions per patient in one course. Pain intensity (visual analogue scale, VAS) , gait and straight-leg raising ( SLR )test were measured before, during and after completion of the therapy. Results: There were significant within-group reductions in pain in both groups . However, no significant differences were found in total clinical relevant improvement between these two groups . FDT group showed significantly lower VAS than the control group after 5 sessions of treatments .Conclusion: These results indicate that acupuncture is effective on lumbago in HIVD patients, while FDT may have greater pain relief than routine needling technique on HIVD.