Clinical observation of Tuina plus Chinese medication hot compress for lumbar muscle strain

Objective:To discuss the clinical efficacy of treating lumbar muscle strain(LMS)with Tuina(Chinese therapeutic massage)plus Chinese medication hot compress.Methods:A total of 147 LMS patients were randomized into a Tuina group,a Chinese medication hot compress group,and a combined group,each consisting of 49 cases.The Tuina group received Tuina treatment;the Chinese medication hot compress group received Chinese medication hot compress treatment;and the combined group received the forementioned two therapies alternately.The three groups of patients were assessed using the visual analog scale(VAS)and Oswestry disability index(ODI)before treatment and after 2 weeks of treatment.A 2-month follow-up was also conducted to observe the relapse rate.Results:The VAS and ODI scores dropped significantly after treatment in all three groups compared with their baseline(P<0.05),and the combined group surpassed the other two groups in comparing the ODI score(P<0.05).The 2-month follow-up showed that the combined group had the lowest relapse rate among the three groups(P<0.05).Conclusion:Compared to each therapy used alone,Tuina plus Chinese medication hot compress can relieve pain,improve daily living function,and reduce the short-term relapse rate better in treating LMS patients.