Effect of balanced acupuncture in traditional Chinese medicine for chronic low back pain and leg pain base on magnetic resonance imaging evaluation

This study was a single-center, parallel-group randomized controlled trial designed to objectively and comprehensively evaluate the effect of balanced acupuncture Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in treating patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) and leg pain using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology, in order to provide imaging evidence for optimizing clinical treatment protocols. A total of 111 patients with CLBP and leg pain (MRI showing lumbar disc herniation (LDH)/spinal stenosis) were randomly allocated to treatment group and control group, receiving balanced acupuncture (acupoints: Yaotongxue, Tuntongxue, Xitongxue; rapid needle insertion and withdrawal upon achieving deqi sensation) and conventional acupuncture (acupoints: Shenshu (BL23), Yaoyangguan (GV3), Huantiao (GB30), etc. ), respectively. MRI objectively quantified structural changes, including the degree of lumbar disc herniation, spinal cord compression, and nerve root edema, and assessed disc degeneration via the Pfirrmann grading system. and assessed disc degeneration via Pfirrmann grading (I-V). Hospitalization duration, pain duration, and pain attack frequency were compared. Pain intensity was assessed via a visual analog scale (VAS), functional status was assessed via the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, walking ability and lower limb function were assessed via the functional walking ability scale (FMAS), and lumbar function was evaluated via the Oswestry disability index (ODI). SPSS 25.0 conducted statistical analysis. MRI findings demonstrated more prominent improvements in the treatment group regarding the degree of LDH, spinal cord compression, and nerve root edema. The Pfirrmann grade for disc degeneration was lower in the treatment group ( P < 0.05). Clinical effect, defined as a composite of symptom relief and functional improvement, was superior in the treatment group ( P < 0.05), with a shorter hospitalization duration versus control ( P < 0.05). Post-treatment, pain duration and frequency of pain attacks improved more in the treatment group ( P < 0.05). Both groups showed notable reductions in VAS scores versus pre-treatment levels ( P < 0.05), increases in JOA and FMAS scores ( P < 0.05), and improvement in ODI ( P < 0.05). Balanced acupuncture effectively alleviated pain and functional impairment in patients with CLBP and leg pain. MRI demonstrated more prominent structural improvements in the lumbar spine following balanced acupuncture, providing objective imaging evidence for its superior efficacy.