Efficacy of Acupuncture for Discogenic Sciatica

Efficacy of Acupuncture for Discogenic Sciatica: a Randomized Controlled Trial

This trial is designed to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture on pain relief for patients with discogenic sciatica compared with sham acupuncture.

Background: Sciatica is primarily caused by herniated discs with nerve-root compression. Acupuncture may effectively relieve the pain of discogenic sciatica, but the evidence is limited.

Methods/Design: Sixty patients with discogenic sciatica will be recruited and randomized to receive acupuncture or sham-acupuncture at a 1:1 ratio. Patients in both groups will receive treatment 3 times per week for 4 weeks. The following acupoints will be used: Dachang shu (BL 25), Shenshu (BL 23), Weizhong (BL 40), and Chengshan (BL 57).

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Unilateral leg pain diagnosed as discogenic sciatica;
2. Sciatica patients with an average leg pain VAS of 40 mm or higher in the last 24 hours;
3. Aged 18 to 75 years;
4. Leg pains that correlate with CT or MRI findings of lumbar disc herniation;
5. Patients who agree to follow the trial protocol.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Severe cases with central or giant or ruptured lumbar disc herniation, cauda equina syndrome, foot drop, or surgery requirements;
2. Progressive neurological symptoms after 3 months of strict conservative treatment (e.g., nerve root adhesion, crossed straight-leg testing, or obvious muscle atrophy);
3. Severe cardiovascular, liver, kidney, hematopoietic system diseases, autoimmune diseases, or poor nutritional status;
4. Subjects with cognitive impairment;
5. Pregnancy;
6. Subjects who received acupuncture for sciatica within the past month.