The therapeutic effectiveness of electroacupuncture combined with herbal compress therapy using a thermal effect device in treating lumbar spinal degeneration

Abstract

Objectives: Lumbar spondylosis is a chronic condition with a gradual progression, characterized by increasing severity, causing pain and spinal deformities, significantly affecting the daily activities and quality of life of patients. Electroacupuncture and herbal compress therapy using thermal effect devices are two methods currently being applied in the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal disorders. However, there has been no research documenting the efficacy of combining these two methods in treating low back pain caused by spondylosis. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the pain-relieving efficacy of electroacupuncture combined with herbal compress therapy using thermal effect devices in patients with lumbar spondylosis.

Materials and methods: The study included 206 patients diagnosed with low back pain due to lumbar spondylosis, divided into two groups: the control group received electroacupuncture combined with therapeutic ultrasound, while the study group was treated with electroacupuncture combined with herbal compress therapy using thermal effect devices over 14 days. This was a prospective, controlled clinical intervention study conducted at Long An Traditional Medicine Hospital, comparing outcomes before and after treatment. The effectiveness was assessed using the VAS scale, Oswestry Disability, and Schober index after 14 days of treatment.

Results: After 14 days of treatment, the proportions of patients in the study group achieving good, fair, and average outcomes were 58.25%, 37.86%, and 3.89%, respectively. In the control group, the corresponding proportions were 33%, 45.63%, and 22.33%. During the treatment process, there were 14 cases of bleeding at the acupuncture sites and 1 case of allergic reaction. No cases of acupuncture syncope or burns were reported.

Conclusion: The method of electroacupuncture combined with herbal compress therapy using thermal effect devices is more effective in treating low back pain caused by lumbar spondylosis compared to electroacupuncture combined with therapeutic ultrasound