Treatment of chronic lumbar muscle strain by Tuina: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Tuina for the treatment of chronic lumbar muscle strain( CLMS). METHODS: One hundred and ten cases with CLMS were randomized into treatment group and control group by 1 to 1 ratio,with 55 cases in each group. The treatment group was treated by Tuina for 4 weeks,and control group was treated by standardized health education for 4 weeks. We evaluated the VAS score and ODI before treatment,after treatment,and 1 month after treatment. RESULTS: Ninety-nine cases were finished the trial. In both groups,the scores of VAS and ODI were decreased after treatment( P <0.001); After treatment and 1 month after treatment,the reduction of VAS score and ODI score in treatment group were much more than that of the control group( P < 0. 001). CONCLUSION: Tuina can alleviate low back pain in patients with CLMS,and improve the patient’s waist activity. It is more effective than health education.