MARKED IMPROVEMENT IN PAIN AND FUNCTIONAL DISABILITY FOLLOWING NEURAL THERAPY IN LUMBAR DISC HERNIATION: A RETROSPECTIVE CLINICAL STUDY

Introduction. Lumbar disc herniation–related low back pain represents one of the leading contributors to functional limitation and impaired quality of life. Although various conservative and interventional treatments are available, pain and functional limitation often persist. Neural therapy (NT), which uses low-dose local anesthetic injections, has emerged as a minimally invasive and low-cost approach for musculoskeletal pain. This study examined the effects of neural therapy on pain and disability in patients with lumbar disc herniation–related low back pain. Methods. This retrospective study enrolled 64 patients with low back pain and clinical and MRI findings consistent with lumbar disc herniation. Patients with other specific spinal pathologies or previous lumbar surgery were excluded. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were used to evaluate pain intensity and functional disability. Neural therapy was administered once weekly for three sessions and consisted of intradermal, subcutaneous, and trigger point injections of 1% procaine hydrochloride applied to painful points, segmental spinal areas, and relevant interference fields. VAS and ODI scores were recorded at baseline and after the third session. Between-group and/or time-dependent comparisons were performed using nonparametric statistical tests, with the level of statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results. Mean VAS scores decreased from 8.4 ± 1.2 before treatment to 2.3 ± 1.3 after treatment, representing a 72% reduction in pain intensity (p < 0.05). ODI scores showed a mean improvement of 71.8% following NT (p < 0.05). Treatment response did not differ significantly between male and female patients. Conclusion. Neural therapy demonstrated significant short-term benefits on pain and disability in patients with LBP suggesting its potential as an effective and accessible complementary treatment.