COMBINATION OF LOCAL AND DISTAL ACUPRESSURE POINTS IN THE TREATMENT OF LUMBOSACRAL PAIN

Abstract

Lumbosacral pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal conditions with a significant impact on the functional ability and quality of life of patients. Its etiology is multifactorial and includes biomechanical, neurological and psychosocial factors, which makes it complex for diagnosis and treatment. In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to integrative therapeutic approaches, among which traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) occupies an important place. This paper aims to analyze the effectiveness of combined treatment with local and distal acupressure points in the treatment of lumbosacral pain. The theoretical part elaborates on the anatomical and biomechanical characteristics of the lumbosacral region, the etiology and classification of pain, as well as the principles of TCM, including syndromic diagnosis and the role of the meridian system. Special emphasis is placed on the meridians of the bladder, kidneys and Governing Vessel (Du Mai), as well as on the application of local and distal acupressure points. In the practical part, a study was conducted on 10 subjects aged 30 to 60 years, over a period of 1 month, with treatment twice a week for 40 minutes. The subjects included in the study and the practical part have Inclusion criteria: diagnosed lumbosacral pain and magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbosacral region. Exclusion criteria: patients with cardiovascular diseases and severe neurological diseases. Before the first treatment, an anamnestic interview was conducted with each patient, from which information about the initial condition and clinical symptomatology of the patient was recorded, an assessment of the sensitivity of lumbosacral pain was made, and functional mobility in the lumbosacral region was measured with forward and lateral tilt. The initial data were recorded and then the practical part was carried out. A combined approach was applied to each patient, which included local points (BL23, BL25, GV3, GV4) and distal points (BL40, BL60, KI3). Acupressure treatment of local and distal points was performed twice a week, for 40 minutes, with the pressure intensity adjusted according to the patient's clinical symptoms and pain tolerance threshold. After the last session, we interviewed each patient again, collecting data on the change in lumbosacral pain sensitivity after treatment and measuring the functional mobility of the lumbosacral region. Although the effect of the treatment was visible during the implementation of the practical part of the research, the results we obtained at the end as effects of the treatment were assessed through a visual analog scale for pain (VAS) and an assessment of the functional mobility of the lumbar region. The results showed a significant reduction in pain intensity, with an average decrease in VAS values from 7.8 to 3.1, as well as an improvement in functional mobility in the subjects. These results indicate a high efficacy of the combined treatment, which can be explained by the synergistic effect of local and distal points, as well as by neurophysiological mechanisms of analgesia. It can be concluded that the combined treatment with local and distal acupressure points represents an effective, safe and clinically applicable approach in the treatment of lumbosacral pain. The integration of TCM with modern medical principles allows for a holistic approach that contributes to improving the health and functional ability of patients