Effectiveness and safety of warm needle acupuncture on lumbar muscles strain

Abstract

Background: Lumbar muscle strain (LMS) is the most common orthopedic syndrome, with high incidence globally and lingering disease, which seriously affects patients’ work efficiency and quality of life. Warm needle acupuncture (WNA) is a treatment method combining acupuncture technology with warm and medicinal effect of moxibustion. It has outstanding curative effect and wide range of treatment, especially in the treatment of pain diseases. We aim to collect clinical evidence and demonstrate the efficacy and safety of WNA on LMS. Methods/design: We will search the following database sources for the randomized controlled trials: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE), Web of Science, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (TCTRP), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI), Chinese Scientific Journals Database (VIP), and the Wanfang Database. All randomized controlled trials of WNA for lumbar muscle strain (LMS) in the above database will be considered for inclusion, and high-quality articles will be screened for data extraction and analysis, to summarize the therapeutic effect of WNA on LMS patients. Result: This study will provide a rational synthesis of current evidences for warm needle acupuncture on lumbar muscle strain. Conclusion: The conclusion of this study will provide evidence to judge the effectiveness and safety of WNA on LMS. Trial registration: INPLASY2020120100 (DOI number: 10.37766/inplasy2020.12.0100).

Attenuation of immobilization stress-induced hypertension by temperature-controllable warm needle acupuncture in rats and the peripheral neural mechanisms

“…Warm needle acupuncture is known to be effective in the treatment of various diseases by combining the effects of thermal stimulation with those of manual acupuncture, which mechanically stimulates acupuncture points ( 11 ). Several studies have attempted to quantify the temperature of warm needle acupuncture to determine its mechanism of action ( 30 , 33 ).…”

“…In traditional acupuncture theory, the use of warm needle acupuncture is described to transmit moxa heat deeply into the body by way of acupuncture points, promoting the circulation of the Qi-Blood and activating the meridian system ( 9 ). Warm needle acupuncture has been reported to be effective in the treatment of various diseases and disorders, such as rheumatoid diseases ( 10 ), musculoskeletal disorders ( 11 , 12 ), and insomnia ( 13 ), although the underlying mechanisms remain to be identified.…”

Effect of Acupuncture along Meridians on Pain Degree and Treatment of Acute Lumbar Sprain

“…Treatment is performed by two trained and experienced acupuncturists. Acute lumbar sprain can cause stretch and tear of lumbar muscles, peripheral ligaments, fascia, and other soft tissues, leading to aseptic inflammation, or excessive involvement of the posterior joint capsule and synovium due to changes in the anatomical position of the posterior lumbar joint, resulting in varying degrees of low back pain [ 10 , 11 ]. Acute lumbar sprain has significant influence on the daily work and life of patients; therefore, it is of great importance to provide effective treatment as early as possible [ 12 ].…”

Acupuncture: A therapeutic approach against acne

“…A thermal tracer is used to maintain the temperature of 40°C. 71,72 The warm needle technique stimulates acupoint when the needle is penetrated along with flaming moxa block. Heat from ignited moxa is assumed to be transferred to an acupoint by emission or conduction through the needle shaft to deep tissue instead of warming the meridian on skin surface.…”

“…On the other hand, moxa block remains attached to the needle handle and is set to fire from tip. A thermal tracer is used to maintain the temperature of 40°C 71,72 . The warm needle technique stimulates acupoint when the needle is penetrated along with flaming moxa block.…”