Effects of acupuncture treatment on lumbar radiculopathy

A case series study

Abstract

For the purpose of clarifying the effect of acupuncture therapy on lumbar radiculopathy, a case series study was performed. The Japanese Orthopedic Association score (JOA score) was used to evaluate changes in subjective and objective varieties. Twenty-two outpatients with lumbar radiculopathy, due mostly to lumbar disc herniation, were treated with acupuncture. Fifteen patients (68%) reported improvement in their subjective symptoms and activities associated with daily life.An analgesic effect immediately after treatment was reported by 16 patients (73%). On the other hand, the JOA scores associated with sensory disturbance and muscle weakness showed less improvement; 21% and 32%, respectively. The age of the patients in whom the analgesic effect was not obtained tended to be older. From the results above, the acupuncture treatment for lumbar radiculopathy was found to be relatively more effective on subjective symptoms such as pain and numbness.