Zenodo
Tuina combined with acupuncture for lumbar disc herniation: Effectiveness, safety and mechanisms. a synthesis of meta-analytic evidence
By Utamuradov Sardor, Ochilov Jonibek and Sheng Mingqiu.
Abstract
Background
Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) produces radicular leg pain and low back pain through nerve root compression and local inflammation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and surgery help many patients but carry well-known harms, which keeps non-drug options in demand. Tuina and acupuncture are two such options and are often given together in Chinese clinical practice.
Objective
To weigh the evidence on the effectiveness, safety and biological rationale of Tuina combined with acupuncture for LDH.
Methods
We combined pooled estimates from published systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), supplemented by individual trials and mechanistic reviews. We did not run a new database search. Findings were organized around the seven outcome domains of the 2026 Core Outcome Set for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) trials in LDH. Certainty of evidence was judged by the authors in the GRADE manner.