Cerebral mechanism of opposing needling for managing acute pain after unilateral total knee arthroplasty: study protocol for a randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Opposing needling is a unique method used in acupuncture therapy to relieve pain, acting on the side contralateral to the pain. Although opposing needling has been used to treat pain in various diseases, it is not clear how opposing needling affects the activity of the central nervous system to relieve acute pain. We herein present the protocol for a randomized sham-controlled clinical trial aiming to explore the cerebral mechanism of opposing needling for managing acute pain after unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: This is a randomized sham-controlled single-blind clinical trial. Patients will be allocated randomly to two parallel groups (A: opposing electroacupuncture group; B: sham opposing electroacupuncture group). The Yinlingquan (SP9), Yanglingquan (GB34), Futu (ST32), and Zusanli (ST36) acupoints will be used as the opposing needling sites in both groups. In group A, the healthy lower limbs will receive electroacupuncture, while in group B, the healthy lower limbs will receive sham electroacupuncture. At 72 h after unilateral TKA, patients in both groups will begin treatment once per day for 3 days. Functional magnetic resonance imaging will be performed on all patients before the intervention, after unilateral TKA, and at the end of the intervention to detect changes in brain activity. Changes in pressure pain thresholds will be used as the main outcome for the improvement of knee joint pain. Secondary outcome indicators will include the visual analogue scale (including pain during rest and activity) and a 4-m walking test. Surface electromyography, additional analgesia use, the self-rating anxiety scale, and the self-rating depression scale will be used as additional outcome indices. DISCUSSION: The results will reveal the influence of opposing needling on cerebral activity in patients with acute pain after unilateral TKA and the possible relationship between cerebral activity changes and improvement of clinical variables, which may indicate the central mechanism of opposing needling in managing acute pain after unilateral TKA. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Study on the brain central mechanism of opposing needling analgesia after total kneearthroplasty based on multimodal MRI ChiCTR2100042429 . Registered on January 21, 2021.

Enhanced Temporal Coupling between Thalamus and Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex Mediates Chronic Low Back Pain and Depression.

Numerous neuroimaging studies have demonstrated that the brain plasticity is associated with chronic low back pain (cLBP). However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the underlying mechanisms of thalamic pathways for chronic pain and psychological effects in cLBP caused by lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Combining psychophysics and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we investigated the structural and functional brain plasticity in 36 patients with LDH compared with 38 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. We found that (1) LDH patients had increased psychophysical disturbs (i.e., depression and anxiety), and depression (Beck-Depression Inventory, BDI) was found to be an outstanding significant factor to predict chronic pain (short form of the McGill Pain Questionnaire, SF-MPQ); (2) the LDH group showed significantly smaller fractional anisotropy values in the region of posterior corona radiate while gray matter volumes were comparable in both groups; (3) resting state functional connectivity analysis revealed that LDH patients exhibited increased temporal coupling between the thalamus and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), which further mediate the relationship from chronic pain to depression. Our results emphasized that thalamic pathways underlying prefrontal cortex might play a key role in regulating chronic pain and depression of the pathophysiology of LDH.

[Amplitude Changes of Low Frequency Fluctuation in Brain Spontaneous Nervous Activities Induced by Needling at Hand Taiyin Lung Channel].

OBJECTIVE: To observe amplitude changes of low frequency fluctuation in brain spontaneous nervous activities induced by needling at Hand Taiyin Lung Channel, and to preliminarily explore the possible brain function network of Hand Taiyin Lung Channel. METHODS: By using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), 16 healthy volunteers underwent resting-state scanning (R1) and scanning with retained acupuncture at Hand Taiyin Lung Channel (acupuncture, AP). Data of fMRI collected were statistically calculated using amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (ALFF). RESULTS: Under R1 significantly enhanced ALFF occurred in right precuneus, left inferior parietal lobule, bilateral superior temporal gyrus, bilateral middle frontal gyrus, left superior frontal gyrus, left inferior frontal gyrus, left medial frontal gyrus. Under AP significantly enhanced ALFF occurred in right precuneus, bilateral superior frontal gyrus, cerebellum, bilateral middle frontal gyrus, right medial frontal gyrus, and so on. Compared with R1, needing at Hand Taiyin Lung Channel could significantly enhance ALFF in right gyrus subcallosum and right inferior frontal gyrus. Significant decreased ALFF appeared in right postcentral gyrus, left precuneus, left superior temporal gyrus, left middle temporal gyrus, and so on. CONCLUSION: Needing at Hand Taiyin Lung Channel could significantly change fixed activities of cerebral cortex, especially in right subcallosal gyrus, right inferior frontal gyrus, and so on.

[Analgesic effect on primary dysmenorrheal treated with conventional and sham acupuncture at San-yinjiao (SP 6)].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the difference in the analgesic effect on primary dysmenorrheal between acupuncture and sham acupuncture at Sanyinjiao (SP 6) during menstrual pain and evaluate the impact of psychological effect on acupuncture analgesia. METHODS: Sixty subjects were randomized into an acupuncture group and a sham acupuncture group, 30 cases in each one. The conventional acupuncture and sham acupuncture were applied to Sanyinjiao (SP 6) on bilateral sides when menstrual pain began to attack and needles were retained for 30 min each time. Three menstrual cycles were required. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was adopted to determine the scores before and 0. 5 h, 1 h, 3 h, 6 h and 12 h after acupuncture during menstrual pain in each cycle separately. RESULTS: In the acupuncture group, VAS score at each time point after acupuncture was reduced as compared with that at the previous one during menstrual pain in each menstrual cycle, indicating the significant difference (all P<0. 05). In the sham acupuncture group, the scores in 6 h and 12 h of acupuncture were reduced as compared with the previous one, indicating the significant difference (all P<0. 05). After acupuncture, VAS score at each time point in the acupuncture group was lower than that in the sham acupuncture group (all P<0. 05). CONCLUSION: The conventional acupuncture at Sanyinjiao (SP 6) achieves the significant analgesic effect on primary dysmenorrheal. The psychological placebo effect of sham acupuncture has no obvious impact on acupuncture analgesia.

[Effect of acupuncture at pericardium points of amplitude of low frequency fluctuations of healthy people in resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupuncture at the whole points of Hand Jueyin pericardium meridian on the amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (ALFF) of healthy people in resting state (R1) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). METHODS: Totally 16 healthy subjects received structure scan of T1 and T2. Then two fMRI scans were conducted for each participant. fMRI included the resting-state scan (R1; the scanning time was 8 min 6 s), the stimulating-acupoint scan (AP; the scanning time was 8 min 6 s). fMRI data acquisition from structure scanning and function scanning were processed with format conversion and statistical analysis. RESULTS: Under R1 state, brain regions with activated ALFF signals included bilateral superior frontal gyrus, medial frontal gyrus, middle occipital gyrus, precuneus, superior temporal gyrus, and cingulate gyrus. Under the AP state, brain regions with activated ALFF signals were bilateral superior frontal gyrus, medial frontal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, left fusiform gyrus, precuneus, posterior cingulate, and declivis. Compared with R1 state, obvious difference of ALFF signal areas of the brain caused by acupuncture at pericardium were: bilateral cuneus, precuneus, left posterior cingulate gyrus, right middle occipital gyrus, and right occipital lingual gyrus. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture at the whole points of Hand Jueyin pericardium meridian could significantly change inherent activity states of the cerebral cortex, especially in bilateral superior frontal gyrus, medial frontal gyrus, and precuneus.

Capturing amplitude changes of low-frequency fluctuations in functional magnetic resonance imaging signal: a pilot acupuncture study on NeiGuan (PC6).

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to examine amplitude changes of low-frequency oscillations (fALFF) in the blood-oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signal associated with acupuncture on NeiGuan (PC6). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Ten (10) healthy adults participated in a functional magnetic resonance imaging (i.e., nuclear medicine; fMRI) study. During the brain-imaging procedure, the participants were instructed to lie quietly; they did not perform any cognitive task. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Three (3) fMRI scans were conducted for each participant: a first resting-state scan (R1), a stimulating-acupoint scan (AP), and a second resting-state scan (R2) after AP. Individual fALFF maps were calculated for each scan. RESULTS: During R1, consistent with previous studies, the default network regions showed significantly detectable fALFF amplitudes. Acupuncture on PC6 increased fALFF amplitudes within the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), occipital fusiform gyrus, posterior cingulate cortex, and precuneus (PCC/PCU). In contrast, during R2, fALFF within PCC is still significantly higher than R1 while ACC and cerebellum showed decreased fALFF. CONCLUSIONS: These findings imply that stimulating PC6 can change the amplitude of the intrinsic cortical activity of the brain. In particular, a continuous and temporally consistent effect of acupuncture within PCC not the common brain circuit of pain including ACC and cerebellum was observed. Considering the cognitive functions and deficits of the relevant areas in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer disease, acupuncture on PC6 could potentially affect both psychiatric and neurological disorders. Thus, stimulating PC6 may be a candidate method for improving cognitive impairment.

[Investigation on the changes of dependent signal on the amplitude of low frequency fluctuations at blood oxygen level in brain after acupuncture Neiguan (PC 6)].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship of the acupoint and its functional location in the brain. METHODS: Ten healthy participants were examined with the resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fM-RI). The scanning includes the resting state 1 (R 1), acupuncture stimulating (AP) Neiguan (PC 6) and the resting state 2 (R 2). All data were analyzed with the amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (ALFF). RESULTS: 1) During the R1, the regions with active signal on the ALFF contained bilateral superior frontal gyrus, medial frontal gyrus and some part of cerebellum (including right declive, culme, tonsil and left uvula), as well as left precuneus, right superiour temporal gyrus. 2) As for AP, the active regions with higher ALFF were bilateral superior frontal gyrus and right cuneus, as well as left middle frontal gyrus, declivis and right semi-lunar lobule. 3) The main difference on ALFF between R1 and AP appeared within bilateral cingulated gyrus and declivis, left lingualgurus, and cuneus, as well as right precuneus, fusiform gyrus, superior frontal gyrus, medial frontal gyrus and superior temporal gyrus, etc. CONCLUSION: After acupuncture stimulating the left Neiguan (PC 6), the active regions on ALFF are detected on bilateral cingulated gyrus, right superior frontal gyrus and medial frontal gyrus, as well as bilateral declivis and left lingual gurus, etc. These regions have the close relationship with the mental disorder and nervous diseases, which might be the possible neural mechanism of acupuncture stimulating Neiguan (PC 6) for treating some of related mental disorder and nervous diseases.

[Clinical observation on acupoint sticking therapy for treatment of chronic pain of cervical intervertebral disc].

OBJECTIVE: To probe into an effective therapy for chronic pain of cervical intervertebral disc. METHODS: Sixty-six cases of chronic pain of cervical intervertebral disc were randomly divided into an acupoint sticking group and an acu puncture group, 33 cases in each group. The acupoint sticking group was treated with acupoint sticking therapy, and the acupuncture group with acupuncture. Tianding (LI 17), Futu (LI 18), Dazhui (GV 14), Tianzong (S 11), etc. were selected in the two groups. After treatment for 3 therapeutic courses, their therapeutic effects were observed. RESULTS: The effective rate was 93.5% in the acupoint sticking group and 72.4% in the acupuncture group, the former being better than the latter (P<0.05); in a 3-month following-up survey, the effective rate was 90.3% in the acupoint sticking group and 65.5% in the acupuncture group, the former being better than the latter (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The acupoint sticking therapy has an satisfactory therapeutic effect on chronic pain of cervical intervertebral disc.

[Correlation analysis on changes between cognitive ability and brain fMRI after acupoint thread embedding in Alzheimer's disease patients].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of acupoint thread embedding (ATE) in treating Alzheimer's disease (AD) by means of brain functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). METHODS: Twenty-six patients with mild to moderate AD were assigned to the tested group and the control group in pairing, 13 in each group. ATE was performed in patients of the tested group at Shenmen (HT7), Fenglong (ST40), Taixi (KI3) and Zusanli (ST36) acupoints, once every month for 6 times in total; but for patients of the control group only sham operation was done at the same acupoints. The correlation between cognitive ability and fMRI were assessed by comparing the scores of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Alzhemer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive section (ADAS-Cog), monitored at two time points, namely, in one week before starting treatment and 1 week after terminating 6-month treatment. Furthermore, fMRI was detected to obtain the data of the cerebral blood oxygen content before treatment and 6 months after completing the 6-month therapeutic course. Correlation analysis was conducted on the obtained data using software SPM. RESULTS: After treatment, changes of MMSE score significently increased in the test group (P < 0.01) and decreased in the control group (P < 0.01), and ADAS-Cog decreased in the test group (P < 0.01) and increased in the control group (P < 0.05), showing statistical significance between the two groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The activated regions related with the change of MMSE were mainly inferior frontal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, superior frontal gyrus, transverse temporal gyrus, on the left cerebrum and superior frontal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, precentral gyrus, hippocampal gyrus, cingulate gyrus, postcentral gyrus, paracentral lobule on the right cerebrum; those related with change of ADAS-Cog were superior frontal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, fusiform gyrus, inferior temporal gyrus, hippocampal gyrus on the left cerebrum, and superior frontal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, precentral gyrus, fusiform gyrus, transverse temporal gyrus, postcentral gyrus, middle occipital gyrus on the right cerebrum. CONCLUSION: ATE could improve the cognitive ability of AD patients, its possible mechanism may be through the activation on the cognition related regions of frontal, temporal lobe and marginal system, as well as those of cerebellum.

Effect of acupuncture given at the HT 7, ST 36, ST 40 and KI 3 acupoints on various parts of the brains of Alzheimer' s disease patients.

In this study, we explore various regions of the brains of Alzheimer' s Disease (AD) patients before and after acupuncture treatment of acupoints in the brain in order to determine the effect, if any, of acupuncture on AD. Twenty-six patients with clinically-diagnosed AD underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while undergoing acupuncture at the four acupoints of Shenmen (HT 7), Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40) and Taixi (KI 3). fMRI Block design paradigm was chosen by electroacupumcture interval stimulation, and the data of fMRI were analyzed by Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM 99). The result demonstrated that there were right main hemisphere activations (temporal lobe, such as hippocampal gyrus, insula, and some area of parietal lobe) and left activated regions (temporal lobe, parietal lobule, some regions of cerebellum). The activated regions induced by these acupoints were consistent with impaired areas in brain for AD patients, which were closely correlated with the cognitive function (memory, reason, language, executive, etc.). The present study provided the strong evidence that acupuncture had a potential effect on AD, and in partial revealed the mechanism.

[Clinical observation on catgut implantation at acupoint for treatment of Alzheimer's disease].

OBJECTIVE: To observe clinical therapeutic effect of catgut implantation at acupoint on Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS: Twenty-six cases with mild-moderate AD were divided into an acupoint catgut implantation group and a control group by sample-paired method. The acupoint catgut implantation group were treated with cat-gut implantation at Shenmen (HT 7), Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40) and Taixi (KI 3), and the control group with the same manipulation at the same acupoints with no catgut implanted, once each month, for 6 months. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Activity of Daily Living (ADL) and Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Section (ADAS-Cog) scores were recorded before and after treatment and analyzed statistically. RESULTS: After treatment, the score of MMSE significantly increased (P < 0.01), the score of ADAS-Cog significantly decreased (P < 0.01) and the score of ADL did not significantly change in the acupoint catgut implantation group; compared with the control group, the score of MMSE in the acupoint catgut implantation significantly increased (P < 0.01), the score of ADAS-Cog significantly decreased (P < 0.05) and the score of ADL did not significantly change in the acupoint catgut implantation. CONCLUSION: Acupoint catgut implantation therapy increases cognitive function of the patient of AD, which provides a new therapeutic method for aged AD.

[Effect of Huaisanzhen on central analgesic transmitters in the rat of the nerve root pain caused by protrusion of lumbar intervertebra disc].

OBJECTIVE: To search the mechanism of Huaisanzhen in treating the nerve root pain caused by protrusion of lumbar intervertebra disc. METHODS: Sixty male SD rats were randomly divided into a normal control group, a sham operation control group, a model control group, an aspirin-DL-lysine control group, a routine body acupuncture group, and a Huaisanzhen treatment group. The aspirin-DL-lysine control group, the routine body acupuncture group and the Huaisanzhen treatment group were treated by aspirin-DL-lysine through intramuscular injection, routine acupuncture and Huaisanzhen therapy, respectively. The pain threshold and the content of brain 5-HT in each group were determined. RESULTS: The pain threshold significantly increased in the Huaisanzhen treatment group as compared with that in the model control group at the same hour points (P < 0.05). And at the 30 min, the pain threshold in the aspirin-DL-lysine control group and the routine body acupuncture group was significantly higher than that in the model control group, and the Huaisanzhen treatment group was significantly higher than that in the aspirin-DL-lysine control group and the routine body acupuncture group (all P < 0.05). The 5-HT contents at the same time in the Huaisanzhen treatment group were higher than those of the model control group and the aspirin-DL-lysine control group (P < 0.01). The 5-HT content at 30 min in the Huaisanzhen treatment groups was significantly higher than that of the routine body acupuncture group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The analgesic effect of Huaisanzhen treatment is closely related to increase of 5-HT content in the brain.

[Effects of Naomaitong Recipe on expressions of nuclear factor-kappaB and nitric-oxide synthases in brain tissue after focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion in aged rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of Naomaitong Recipe, a compound Chinese herbal medicine, on the expressions of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and nitric-oxide synthases (NOSs) in brain tissue after focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion in aged rats and the dosage-effect relationship. METHODS: We adopted the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in aged rats as the focal cerebral ischemia model, with 3-hour ischemia and 12-day reperfusion, and observed the changes of the nerve dysfunction score, the water content of cerebral constitution and the expressions of NF-kappaB, heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70) and NOSs in cerebral cortex. RESULTS: The nerve dysfunction score, the water content of cerebral constitution, the expressions of NF-kappaB, HSP70, neuronal nitric-oxide synthase (nNOS), endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS) and inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS) in the untreated group were higher than those of the sham-operated group. The nerve dysfunction score, the water content of cerebral constitution, the expressions of NF-kappaB, iNOS and nNOS were lower, while the expressions of HSP70 and eNOS were higher in the high-, medium- and low-dose Naomaitong-treated groups and nimodipine-treated group than those of the untreated-group. The nerve dysfunction score and the expression of nNOS were lower, while the expression of eNOS was higher in the medium-dose Naomaitong-treated group than those of the nimodipine-treated group. The expressions of HSP70 and eNOS were higher, while the other indices were lower in the medium-dose Naomaitong-treated group than those of the low-dose Naomaitong-treated group. CONCLUSION: Naomaitong Recipe can protect the brain cells from damage after focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury by adjusting the expressions of NF-kappaB, HSP70 and NOSs, and the medium-dose Naomaitong Recipe is more effective.

[Neuro-protective effect of Naomaitong to inflammatory cascade response after focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion in aged rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the protective effect of Naomaitong on inflammatory cascade response after focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion in aged rats. METHOD: We duplicated focal cerebral ischemia model with MCAO, with ischemia 3 h and I/R 1, 3, 6, 12 d points. The effect of Naomaitong on the nervous dysfunction score, the water content of cerebral constitution and the expression of TNF-alpha, VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and its mRNA were observed, and the group with nimodipine was as control. RESULT: The nervous dysfunction score (I/R1, 3, 6 d), the water content of cerebral constitution (all the time points), the expression of TNF-alpha, VCAM-1 (I 3 h, I/R 1, 3, 6 d), ICAM-1 (I 3 h,I/R 1, 3, 6 d) and its Mrna (all the time points) in model group were higher than those of the sham-operated group; The nervous dysfunction score, the water content of cerebral constitution (I/R 3, 6, 12 d), the expression of TNF-alpha, VCAM-1 (I 3 h, I/R 1, 3 d), ICAM-1 and its mRNA (I 3 h, I/R 1, 3 d) in model group were decreased compared with that of model group. The nervous dysfunction score (I/R 6, 12 d), the expression of TNF-alpha, ICAM-1 (I/R 1d) and its mRNA (I/R 1, 3 d) in Naomaitong group were higher than that of Nimodipine group. CONCLUSION: Naomaitong could protect brain cell from damage after focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury by inhibiting the expression of TNF-alpha, adhesion molecule.

[Clinical observation on ankle-three-needle for treatment of nerve root pain of prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the analgesic effect of ankle-three-needle on nerve root pain of prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc. METHODS: Three hundred and eighty cases were randomly divided into an ankle-three-needle group, a routine acupuncture group and a medication group. The ankle-three-needle group were treated with ankle-three-needle therapy, i. e. according to different prolapse segments, points Gentong No. 1, 2 and 3 were selected with lifting-kneading needle insertion method used and the needle was inserted along the skin; the routine acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture at Shenshu (BL 23), Qihaishu (BL 24) and Jiaji (EX-B 2) of the prolapse corresponding segment, and Ciliao (BL 32), etc. with uniform reinforcing-reducing manipulation; the medication group were treated with routine buttock intramuscular injection of aspirin-DL-lysine plus saline. RESULTS: The time inducing analgesia was 6 min in the ankle-three-needle group, 27 min in the routine acupuncture group and 18 min in the medication group. The effect-lasting time was 24.48 h in the ankle-three-needle group, 8.93 h in the routine acupuncture group and 6.36 h in the medication group, with a significant difference as the ankle-three-needle group compared with both the routine acupuncture group and the medication group, but with no significant difference between the routine acupuncture group and the medication group. After treatment, there were very significant differences in change tendency of the analgesic score among the three groups at all the time points (P < 0.01). And there was very significant differences in the changing tendency of straight-leg raising test among the three groups at 0.5 h, 1 h, 24 h and 48 h (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Ankle-three-needle has obvious therapeutic effect on nerve root pain induced by prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc.

[Observation on therapeutic effect of acupuncture and moxibustion combined with sacral injection on prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc].

OBJECTIVE: To search for an effective method for treatment of prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc. METHODS: Ninety-four cases were randomly divided into a treatment group of 48 cases and a control group of 46 cases. The treatment group were treated by acupuncture and moxibustion combined with sacral injection and the control group with simple sacral injection. Their therapeutic effects were compared. RESULTS: The cured and total effective rates were 64.6% and 97.9% in the treatment group, and 37.0% and 89.1% in the control group, with statistically significant differences between the two groups (both P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture and moxibustion combined with sacral injection has a significant therapeutic effect on prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc.

[Clinical study on analgesic effect of Huaisanzhen on the nerve root pain due to prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc].

OBJECTIVE: To search for an effective therapy for the nerve root pain caused by prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc. METHODS: One hundred and ninety-two cases were randomly divided into a Huaisanzhen group of 96 cases, a drug control group of 48 cases and an acupuncture control group of 48 cases. The Huaisanzhen group were treated by Huaisanzhen therapy, the drug control group by intramuscular injection of aspirin-DL-lysine and the acupuncture control group by routine acupuncture. RESULTS: The time inducing analgesic effect was shorter, the effect-lasting time was longer, and the analgesic effect and the comprehensive therapeutic effect were better in the treatment group as compared with the two control groups with very significant differences (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Huaisanzhen therapy has a better analgesic effect on the nerve root pain due to prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc.