Acupuncture combined with Chinese herbal medicine for discogenic low back pain: protocol for a multicentre, randomised controlled trial.

Researchers are launching a large-scale study to test whether combining acupuncture with Chinese herbal medicine works better for disc-related low back pain than using either treatment alone. Discogenic low back pain occurs when damaged spinal discs cause chronic discomfort, affecting many people's daily activities and quality of life.

This study will include 388 patients across multiple medical centers in China. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups: acupuncture plus herbal medicine, acupuncture alone, herbal medicine alone, or standard pain medication (celecoxib). Everyone will receive four weeks of treatment followed by three months of monitoring.

Researchers will measure pain levels using a standard pain scale as their main outcome. They'll also track how well patients can perform daily activities, sleep quality, anxiety and depression levels, and overall quality of life. The study design includes sham acupuncture and placebo medications to ensure reliable results.

This is important because while traditional Chinese medicine practitioners commonly combine acupuncture and herbs for back pain, there hasn't been strong scientific evidence proving this approach works better than single treatments. The study aims to fill this knowledge gap and help both patients and healthcare providers make more informed treatment decisions.

What this means for patients: If you're considering acupuncture for disc-related back pain, this research may eventually provide clearer guidance on whether combining it with Chinese herbs offers additional benefits. However, since this is a study protocol (the research hasn't been completed yet), results aren't available. If you're interested in acupuncture treatment now, seek a licensed acupuncturist with experience treating chronic back pain.

This multicentre randomised controlled trial protocol describes a four-arm study comparing acupuncture combined with Chinese herbal medicine versus monotherapies and celecoxib for discogenic low back pain. The study will recruit 388 patients (97 per group) based on power calculations assuming a standard deviation of 1.8, minimal clinically important difference of 1.5, and 10% dropout rate. Patients will receive four weeks of treatment (active or sham acupuncture, herbal medicine or placebo granules, celecoxib or placebo capsules) with three-month follow-up. The primary outcome is Visual Analogue Scale pain intensity post-treatment. Secondary outcomes include pressure pain threshold, Oswestry Disability Index, HADS, PSQI, SF-36, and adverse events. The study addresses a significant evidence gap, as combination therapy is commonly practiced but lacks rigorous evaluation. The trial design incorporates appropriate controls and validated outcome measures. Results will inform evidence-based treatment protocols for discogenic low back pain using traditional Chinese medicine modalities.