Adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) is one of the most common complications and is a major cause of admission after intra-abdominal surgery. To date, the ideal management of ASBO remains controversial. The aim of this protocol designed as a double-blind randomized controlled trial is to investigate the efficacy of laser acupuncture (LA) therapy in patients with ASBO.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged 20 to 80 years
• Clinical symptoms and signs of mechanical obstruction

Exclusion Criteria:

• Clear non-adhesive etiology of small bowel obstruction (e.g. tumor, hernia)
• Emergency surgical intervention before being admitted to the hospital
• Pregnancy
• Local skin infection on the acupoints, and limb amputees.

The participants in each group will receive real (with energy output) or sham (without energy output) laser acupuncture. The feelings of participants in each group are not different. The care provider and outcomes assessor don't involve the random allocation and don't know if participants receive real laser acupuncture.