Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect of comprehensive therapy of acupuncture, massage and cupping on protrusion of the lumbar intervertebral disc.

Methods: (l) Acupuncture: to puncture the Five Shu-Points according to the time of flowing and ebbing of Qi and blood. Main acupoints, bilateral Yanglingquan (GB 34) were used at the time of Jia and Chen (Earthly Branches) of Ding- or Ren-day (Heavenly Stems). Supplementary acupoint was Renzhong (DU 26). When Yanglingquan (GB 34) was punctured, the twirling-reducing method was adopted, with the needle-tip being obliquely up toward the lumbar vertebrae. It was ideal if the needling sensation could reach the lumbosacral region and the leg. When Renzhong (DU 26) punctured, the needle was manipulated with reducing method. It was ideal if the needling sensation could reach the spinal column and the patient felt warm in the local part. The needles were retained for 30min and manipulated once every 5 min; (2) Massage: for relaxing muscular spasm of the back, lumbar region and the hip, applied mild kneading, rotatory rubbing and pressing manipulations to the affected region with the palm root. For increasing the external pressure onto the intervertebral disc, applied pulling and turning, pressing, muscle-tendon-poking, pulling-shaking, etc. to the topical region; and for severe conditions, pelvic-traction method was adopted to lessen the pressure of the intervertebral disc. Cupping: after massage, routine sterilization was conducted at the affected area then the local focus was tapped with a plum-blossom, Pressed with hand, punctured with filiform needles and stimulated with stronger manipulation. After achieving needling sensations, performed cupping with successive flash method for 15min. The treatment was given once every 4 days, with 10 sessions being a therapeutic course.

Results: After 3 courses of treatment, of the 50 cases of protrusion of the lumbar intervertebral disc, 41 were cured, marked by normal physical movement and normal daily life managing; 8 cases had improvement, manifested by pain-relief, nuclear spinal scoliosis and no any difficulties in moving; and one case had no any significant changes after one month's treatment.

By Yang Chunlan