Clinical Study Of 8 Needles Method Acupuncture Treatment For LDH

PurposeThis clinical data analysis aimed to compare the "8 needles method" acupuncture treatment Vs.the classic TCM acupuncture treatment for LDH,to conclude which of the treatments had the higher rate of symptoms improvement on the treatment of lumbar disc herniation as well as to try to find a more effective acupuncture technique for LDH.MethodsA total of 60 patients meeting the inclusion criteria with a definite diagnosis of lumbar disc herniation(LDH)were collected in accordance with regular clinical practice between April 2020 and November 2020 in Portuguese TCM clinic and randomly divided into a group 1(n=30)and a group 2(n=30).In the group 1,the patients were treated by the ’8 needles method’ acupuncture treatment.In the group 2,the patients were treated by the acupuncture classic treatment for LDH.In both groups,the treatments frequency were 2 times per week with 3 or 4 days of break between,during 6 weeks.12 sessions were considered a treatment course.The duration of each treatment was 30 minutes starting after the insertion of all needles.The Visual Analogue Scale(VAS),the Japan Orthopedic Association Score(JOA),the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire Work days(RMDQ),the Oswestry Disability Index questionnaire(ODIQ)and MRI evaluated the results of both groups.Data analysis was performed after the patients have completed one treatment course.ResultsThis study revealed that after a treatment course,both groups showed statistically significant improvement in pain,function and quality of life levels(VAS,JOA,RMDQ,ODIQ)(p<.001).However,participants undergoing 8 Needles Method treatment,revealed significantly lower pain levels(VAS)(M=.20,SE=.20)(p=.008)and higher function levels in completing physical and social activities(ODIQ)(M=.07,SE=.01)(p=.001)than participants undergoing Classic Treatment VAS(M=1.03,SE=.23)(p=.008),ODIQ(M=.10,SE=0.2)(p=.00Tests also showed that in VAS,the 8 Needles Method treatment achieved the optimums results after 6 treatments VAS(M=.20,SE=.20)(p<.001)while Classic treatment only achieved the optimums results after 12 treatments VAS(M=1.03,SE=.23)(p<.001).8 Needles Method treatment also showed better scores(VAS(M=.20,SE=.20)(p<.001);JOA(M=28.60,SE=.40);RMDQ(M=.27,SE=.27);ODIQ(M=.07,SE=.01)(p<.001),than Classic treatment(VAS(M=1.03,SE=.23)(p<.001);JOA(M=27.57,SE=.52);RMDQ(M=.53,SE=.53);ODIQ(M=.10,SE=.02)(p<.001)in all the scales.There were not statistically significant differences between the two groups in the JOA and RMDQ.ConclusionThe "8 needles method"is a more effective non-surgical invasive method for patients suffering with light and moderate lumbar disc herniation(LDH).