Prolapse of lumbar intervetebral disc is a commonly encountered disease in clinic. The most frequent-seen regions are L4-L5 and L5-S1, because of the heaviest supported pressure here. The treatment methods include surgical operation and traction. We have treated 383 cases of unilateral prolapse of lumbar intervetebral disc with acupuncture and moxibustion and got better effect. The total effective rate was 98% and the recovery rate was 86%.

Treatment methods: (l) Main points: Toutong Point (the tenderness site where the prolapse of disc locates; Tudui Point (on the other side of the spinal column, opposite to Tutong Point); Zhuizhong Point (on the midpoint of the two affected vertebral spinous Processes); Xiatong Point (inferior to Zhuizhong-point, at the most obvious tender-Point,); (2) Adjunct point: For patients with L4-5 disc Prolapse, selected Zhibian (BL54), Yanglingquan (GB34), Jiexi (ST41), Taichong (GB5); for patients with L5-S1 disc Prolapse, selected Ciliao (BL32), Chengfu (BL36), Weizhong (BL40), Kunlun (BL60); for patients with kidney deficiency, added Ganshu (BL18), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Taixi (KI3).

Manipulations: When acupuncturing Tutong and Tudui points obliquely inserted the needle to the vertebra with the angle being 65°; when acupuncturing Zhuizhong and Xiatong point, perpendicularly inserted the needle. The depth was about 0.5-0.8cun. The light uniform reinforcing-reducing method was applied. To penetrate Tutong point first. A moxa-segment of 6 fen thickness was attached to the needle handle with the distance to skin about l cun and ignited. Placed two pieces of fresh ginger with each slice being 3 fen thick, and a few holes, were made in them with bamboo pick, moxa cone of 4 fen thickness was placed on the ginger slice by the picks and then they were put beside Tutong- and Tudui point and ignited. Moved them up and down to avoid burn. One course consisted of 10 times of treatment. The treatment was given once every other day.

Results: showed that (l) Acupuncture and moxibustion may relieve or remove the muscular spasm of the lumbar region and the tension of intervertebral ligaments. This can reduce
the inner pressure of the intervetebral discs and relatively increase the outer pressure; (2) it may improve the local blood circulation, Promote the inflammation extinction and alleviate pain; (3) it may retract the prolapse and make the circular fibers chaired.

By Yang Hongzhi, YangBoxin, Yang Reiping.