Objective To observe the effect of long-snake moxibustion on pain

functional disorder and body constitution in the patients with lumbago of cold-dampness type. Methods A total of 90 patients with lumbago of cold-dampness type were randomized into long-snake moxibustion

acupuncture and medication groups

30 cases in each group. In the long-snake moxibustion group

long-snake moxibustion was exerted on the spinal(between Dazhui[GV14] and Yaoshu[GV2]) with the self-prepared moxa powder formula combined with fresh ginger and moxa wool

once a week

for 4 weeks. Regular acupuncture was given to the acupuncture group

30 min each time

once a day

8 times as a treatment course

at the interval of 2 days between the courses. The duration of treatment was 1 month. In the medication group

Diclofenac Sodium was prescribed for oral administration

25 mg each time

three times a day

and Mecobalamine tablets

0.5 mg each time

3 times a day. The duration of medication was 1 month. Before and after treatment

the differences were evaluated in the scores of visual analog scale(VAS)

the present pain intensity(PPI)

Oswestry disability index(ODI) and the scale of yang-deficiency body constitution among the 3 groups. Results After the treatment

VAS and PPI score and ODI were significantly reduced in the patients of the 3 groups as compared with those before treatment(all P<0.05). Compared with the medication group

ODI score was significantly reduced in the long-snake moxibustion group and the acupuncture group(P<0.05). After the treatment

the scores of the scale of yang-deficiency body constitution were significantly reduced in the long-snake moxibustion group and the acupuncture group(P<0.05) as compared with those before the treatment

but not statistically significant in the medication group in comparison before and after the treatment(P>0.05). The score of the scale of yang-deficiency body constitution in the long-snake moxibustion group was significantly lower than that in the acupuncture group and the medication group(P<0.05). Regarding the clinical effect

the effective rate was 93.33%(28/30) in the long-snake moxibustion group and it was 86.67%(26/30) in the acupuncture group and 73.33%(22/30) in the medication group after the treatment. The effective rate in the long-snake moxibustion group was significantly higher than those in the acupuncture group and the medication group(P<0.05). Conclusion The long-snake moxibustion therapy can achieve significant effect on lumbago of cold-dampness type. This therapy can alleviate pain

relieve the functional disorders and improve the conditions of body constitution in the patients. Hence

it is applicable for the clinical promotion.