Clinical observation on electroacupuncture at acupoints for treatment of senile radical sciatica

OBJECTIVE: To compare therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture and TENS on senile radical sciatica. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-nine cases were randomly divided into 2 groups, electroacupuncture group (n=70) and TENS group (n=69). The electroacupuncture group was treated with electroacupuncture at main points Qihaishu (BL 24), Dachangshu (BL 25), Guanyuanshu (BL 26), etc. and the TENS group was treated with skin electrode sticking at the pressure pain point of the nerve trunk which was connected with pulse current. Their therapeutic effects were observed and compared. RESULTS: At the end of the first course, the cured rate was 41.4% in the electroacupuncture group and 29.0% in the TENS group with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05), and at the end of second course, their cured rates were 80.0% and 44.9%, respectively, with a very significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.005). CONCLUSION: The therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture on senile radical sciatica is significantly better than TENS.