Objective To explore the efficacy of electroacupuncture and massage combined with Yaobi-Zhuyu-Zhitong decoction in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Methods A total of 100 LDH patients with qi stagnation and blood stasis type who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into two groups, 50 in each group. The control group was treated with Yaobi-Zhuyu-Zhitong decoction, and the observation group was treated with electroacupuncture and massage on the basis of the control group. Both groups were treated for 4 weeks. The VAS scale was used to evaluate the degree of pain. The Japanese Orthopedic Association Scores (JOA) was used to evaluate the efficacy of low back pain. The Oswestry dysfunction index was used to evaluate the recovery of lumbar function, and the improvement of daily activities of patients after treatment was evaluated. Results After treatment, the VAS score of the observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group, and the JOA score was significantly higher than that of the control group (t value were 9.870, 8.214, P<0.01). The excellent and good rates of Oswestry dysfunction index before and after treatment in the observation group were 34.0% (17/50) and 86.0% (43/50), respectively, and the control group was 24.0% (12/50) and 44.0% (22/50), respectively. The excellent rate of Oswestry dysfunction index in the two groups was significantly higher than that in the same group before treatment (χ2 values were 28.167, 4.456, P<0.01), and the observation group was significantly higher than the control group (χ2=19.385, P<0.001). The scores of daily activities such as walking, weight-bearing, sitting for a long time, bending over, washing, standing, sleeping and turning over in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (t values were 3.689, 1.661, 3.621, 3.621, 3.300, 1.661, 1.461 respectively, all Ps<0.05). The total effective rate was 94.0% (47/50) and the control group was 76.0% (38/50). The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (χ2=6.353, P=0.012). Conclusions Electroacupuncture and massage combined with Yaobi-Zhuyu-Zhitong decoction can improve the lumbar function, reduce the degree of lumbar pain, improve the quality of life of the LDH patients with qi stagnation and blood stasis type. Key words: Intervertebral disc displacement; Qi stagnation and blood stasis; Electroacupuncture; Tui Na therapy; Yaobi-Zhuyu-Zhitong decoction; Activities of daily living; Quality of life
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