Anesthesia & Clinical Research
Open Access

Abstract

Effectiveness of Acupuncture with NSAID Medication in the Management of Acut Discogenic Radicular Pain: A Randomised, Controlled Trial

Beyazit Zencirci, Kasim Zafer Yuksel and Yakup Gumusalan

Aim: To evaluate potential benefit of acupuncture in the treatment of acute discogenic radicular pain and compare it with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) therapy. Method: Eighty patients, referring with acute radicular pain with no or with minimal neurologic deficits and without any indications for surgery were informed about the study with treatment choices. Patients willing to participate, were also randomly assigned into two treatment subgroups as NSAID and acupuncture. Tenoxicam was used as analgesic drug in each NSAID sub-group. Acupuncture groups received classical filiform needle and ear needle applications. Pain intensities of cases who were well-informed about the procedure were assessed before and after treatment - and also on third and twelfth months - on a 100 mm visual analogue scale. All patients were informed about daily activity modifications relevant to their illness. Result: It was determined that short and long term pain relieving effects of acupuncture in the management of radiculopathy secondary to lumbar disc herniations were similar to NSAID therapy (p>0.05). The pain relieving effects of acupuncture in cases with cervical discopathy were rather similar to NSAID administrations in the long term but in short period it was significantly more effective (p<0.01). Conclusion: Acupuncture is a promising therapeutic option in the management of the radiculopathy of discogenic origin.