A Retrospective Analysis of Clinical Outcomes Associated With Electroacupuncture at Jiaji Points in Patients With Lumbar Disc Herniation-Induced Radicular Pain

Objective To evaluate whether electroacupuncture (EA) at Jiaji points adds clinical benefit to physical therapy for low back and leg pain from lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Methods This retrospective review included 106 LDH patients treated between April 2024 and March 2026. Fifty-three received EA at lumbar Jiaji points plus physical therapy (EA group), and 53 received physical therapy alone (control group). Outcomes were Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores at baseline, Week 2, Week 4, and Month 3. Results Baseline characteristics were comparable. At Week 4, the EA group had significantly greater VAS reduction than controls (mean difference (MD) = −1.84, 95% CI: −2.34 to −1.34; p < 0.001), sustained through Month 3 (MD = −2.41, 95% CI: −2.93 to −1.89; p < 0.001). ODI scores were also lower in the EA group at Week 4 (MD = −9.62, 95% CI: −11.78 to −7.46; p < 0.001) and Month 3 (MD = −11.68, 95% CI: −13.90 to −9.46; p < 0.001). JOA scores were higher in the EA group at Week 4 (MD = 5.27, 95% CI: 4.50–6.04; p < .001) and Month 3 (MD = 6.89, 95% CI: 6.10–7.68; p < .001). Effect sizes were large (Cohen's d : 1.45–3.38). Conclusion Jiaji-point EA plus physical therapy yields superior and lasting pain relief and functional recovery in LDH patients compared with physical therapy alone, with a favorable safety profile.