Research Progress on the Application of ‘Tou San Xue’ Zhigu Bone Puncturing Needling for the Treatment of Non-specific Low Back Pain

Abstract

Nonspecific low back pain (NLBP) is a high-incidence condition in clinical orthopedics, rehabilitation, and acupuncture departments, accounting for 90%-95% of all low back pain patients, with an unclear etiology. After excluding specific spinal diseases and radicular pain, it is characterized by pain in the lumbar and sacroiliac regions as the core manifestation. Some patients may develop a chronic course, accompanied by lumbar stiffness and limited mobility, severely affecting daily work and quality of life [1]. According to relevant data, the annual prevalence of NLBP in China is 20.88%-29.88% [2]. The lifetime prevalence of NLBP is 40%-70%; the proportion of middle-aged patients seeking medical attention is higher than that of younger patients [3]. Current research proves that clinical treatment primarily uses exercise therapy as the main rehabilitation method [4-6]. Acupuncture therapies: local acupuncture, fire needle, electroacupuncture, etc., mostly focus on local lumbar and back acupoints. Although they can relieve pain by dredging local meridians, their intervention is insufficient for low back pain caused by abnormal central nervous system regulation and overall mechanical imbalance. The guideline clinical construction process and experience summarization are slow, and the progress of diagnostic scale research needs further exploration [7]. NLBP affects patients’ physical and mental health, quality of life, and social activities, so exploring safer, more effective, economical, and convenient treatment methods for this disease is a focus of discussion in the medical field. Although the term “nonspecific low back pain” is not directly recorded in ancient medical texts, it belongs to the categories of “low back pain” and “bi syndrome”. Analyzing the current research status of modern medicine on the TCM disease differentiation distribution of NLBP and the patient volume in our hospital’s outpatient department, the study includes patients who meet the TCM disease differentiation of “low back pain” after excluding factors [8]. The bone-reaching needle technique is a characteristic TCM applicable technology proposed by Dr. Zou Dehui, which is a new type of acupuncture technique with “needle tip reaching the bone” or “needle body touching the bone” as the core operation.