Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of catgut implantation at Xuehai (SP10) and Weizhong (BL40) acupoints combined with mang electro-acupuncture in pain relief and improving lumbar spine range of motion in patients with sciatica caused by lumbar disc herniation.
Subjects and methods: A clinical intervention, no control study, which was conducted on 40 patients aged 18-65 years diagnosed with sciatica caused by lumbar disc herniation according to the Saporta (1970) diagnostic criteria. All patients received a 14-day treatment regimen consisting of one session of catgut implantation at Xuehai and Weizhong acupoints on the first day, combined with daily mang electro-acupuncture for 30 minutes over 14 consecutive days. Treatment outcomes were assessed by using the VAS, the Lasègue test, the Schöber test, and lumbar spine range of motion, including flexion, extension, and tilting of the spine.
Results: After 14 days of treatment, the mean VAS score decreased significantly from 5.2 ± 0.7 points to 1.7 ± 0.8 points. The mean Lasègue angle increased from 57.9° ± 4.4° to 79.5° ± 5.8°, while the mean Schöber index increased from 2.8 ± 0.5 cm to 4.5 ± 0.5 cm. Lumbar spine flexion, extension, and tilting of the spine also improved significantly (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Catgut implantation at Xuehai and Weizhong acupoints combined with mang electro-acupuncture was effective in pain relief and improving lumbar spine range of motion in patients with sciatica caused by lumbar disc herniation.