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Bladder Meridian Gua Sha for Lumbar Disc Herniation: Efficacy and CRP Regulation Via Cutaneous-Meridian-Visceral Axis in Shen Period
Sponsor: Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Summary
Based on the "Cutaneous Region-Meridian-Visceral" axis theory, in this study, we investigated clinical efficacy of the Gua Sha intervention on the Bladder Meridian during the Shen Period (3:00-5:00 p.m.) for lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and its regulatory effect on serum C-reactive protein (CRP).This randomized controlled study enrolled 128patients with LDH admitted to the Department of Rehabilitation at Guangdong Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine between January 2023 and December 2024. They were randomly assigned to a control group (n=64) and an observation group (n=64). The control group consisted of standard treatment and care according to the diagnostic and treatment guidelines for LDH. The observation group consisted of standard treatment and care supplemented with Gua Sha on the Bladder Meridian during the Shen Period. The Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores, changes in CRP levels, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) efficacy evaluations were assessed for both groups before the intervention and at 2-week and 4-week after the intervention.
Official title: A Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Clinical Efficacy and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Regulatory Mechanism of Bladder Meridian Gua Sha Therapy，Administered During the Shen Period, in Patients With Lumbar Disc Herniation, Based on the "Cutaneous Region-Meridian-Visceral" Axis Theory
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 80 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
128
Start Date
2023-01-17
Completion Date
2024-12-30
Last Updated
2026-08-10
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Control group（standard treatment and care）
Patients received the following standard treatment and care in accordance with the Diagnostic and Treatment Guidelines for LDH: (1) Clinical observation: For patients in the acute phase, changes was monitored in the location and nature of pain, and a lumbar support belt was used to stabilize the lower back when getting out of bed; (2) During medication, raw, cold, and chilled foods were avoided, and medication was administered as prescribed; (3) A nutritious diet was maintained; alcohol, raw, cold, and spicy foods were avoided; (4) Changes in the patient's emotional state were monitored.
Observation group（standard treatment supplemented with Gua Sha）
Gua Sha therapy was given along the Bladder Meridian during the Shen period (3:00-5:00 p.m.). The patient sat; a brass Hu Fu copper board (Shanghai Wensha Tang) was held at 45° along the meridian after applying oil. Fast scraping for 5 min on GV14, BL11, BL43, BL44; then alternating fast-slow on the meridian, avoiding face. First, scrape top-down along spine: BL10, BL11, BL12. Then back-shu points: BL13, BL15, BL18, BL19, BL20, BL21, BL22, BL23, BL24, BL25, BL26, BL27, BL28. Then sacral points BL31-BL34. Then lower limb posterior: from BL36 through BL37 to BL40, then down calf via BL55, BL57, BL58 to ankle, passing BL59, BL60, BL61, then lateral foot BL62, BL65, BL66, ending at BL67. Total 58 points for 35 min. Afterwards, focus on BL40, BL57, BL61, BL62 for 5 min. Scraping proceeds from upper trunk to lower limbs, along muscle fibres until petechiae appear; pressure according to tolerance. Twice weekly, 3-4 days apart, alternating left/right meridians, for 4 weeks.
Locations (1)
Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine
Foshan, GuanDongSheng, China