Effect of warming needle moxibustion on pain threshold in the patient of sciatica

Objective To observe effect of warming needle moxibustion on pain threshold in the patient of sciatica. Methods Ninety cases were randomly divided into 3 groups, 30 cases in each group. The warming needle moxibustion group were treated with warming needle moxibustion at Shenshu (BL 23), Dachangshu (BL 25), Huantiao (GB 30), etc; the western medicine group with oral administration of Nimeisulide; and the acupoint-injection group with injection of 654-2 into the same acupoints as those in the warming needle moxibustion group. Results The cured rates were 56.67%, 26.67% and 20.00% in the 3 groups, and the total effective rate were 90.00%, 73.33% and 63.33%, respectively, the therapeutic effect of the warming needle moxibustion group being better than those of other two groups (both P0.01). The amplitude of pain threshold increase in the warming needle moxibustion group was higher than those of other two groups (both P0.01). Conclusion Warming needle moxibustion can increase pain threshold, improve symptoms and raise quality of life for the patient of sciatica.