Objective To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture stimulation of"Yaotong"-point(one acupoint of balance acupuncture therapy)and Ashi-points combined with patients' lumbar movement in the treatment of acute lumbar sprain.Methods Forty-six acute lumbar sprain patients were randomized into treatment group(26cases)and control group(20cases)using a random number table.The patients of the treatment group were treated by acupuncture stimulation of"Yaotong"-point[above Yintang(EX-HN 3)]and local Ashi-points for 20 min

and were asked to move the waist simultaneously during acupuncture stimulation.The treatment was conducted once every other day

3times a week

one week in total.Those of the control group were treated by oral administration of loxoprofen sodium tablets(60mg

twice a day

for one week).The pain severity of lumbago and motor function were assessed by using visual analogue scale(VAS)and present pain intensity(PPI)and lumbar range of motion(ROM)separately.Results Following the treatment

of the 20 and 26acute lumbar sprain patients in the control and treatment groups

6(30.0%)and 14(53.8%)were cured

9(45.0%)and11(42.4%)experienced an improvement in their symptoms

5(25.0%)and 1(3.8%)was invalid

with the effective rates being75.0% and 96.2%

respectively.Compared with pre-treatment

the ROM and VAS scores were significantly decreased in both the control and treatment groups post-treatment(P<0.01)

and the therapeutic effects of the treatment group were obviously superior to those of the control group in the effective rate and in the improvement of lumbar motion function and in pain relief(P<0.05

P<0.01).Conclusion Acupuncture treatment plus patients' lumbar movement is effective in reducing lumbar pain and improving lumbar motor function in the treatment of acute lumbar sprain.