Use of yoga and zhen-jiu (acupuncture) therapy in the combination treatment of patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain

Back pain is encountered in nearly 80–90% of the population; patient management is not only a medical, but also important socioeconomic problem.Objective: to comparatively evaluate the efficiency of yoga and zhen-jiu (acupuncture) therapy in the combination treatment of patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain (LBP).Patients and methods. Sixty patients with chronic nonspecific LBP were examined and randomized in groups: 20 patients received symptomatic therapy only (a control group), 20 patients used yoga (Group 1) and 20 more patients had zhen-jiu therapy in addition to symptomatic therapy (Group 2).Results. As compared to the controls, Groups 1 and 2 patients showed a significant increase in the scope of lumbar spine movements and a decrease in the degree of pain syndrome. The investigation demonstrated the efficiency of yoga and zhen-jiu therapy versus symptomatic therapy in the combination treatment of chronic nonspecific LBP, by simultaneously reducing the number of side effects.Conclusion. It is necessary to conduct large controlled randomized studies evaluating the efficiency of yoga and zhen-jiu therapy in these patients.