Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine Proves Effectiveness of Herbal Medicine Combination Therapy for Pain Relief and Functional Improvement in Lumbar Disc Herniation

A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Involving 2,506 Patients with Lumbar Disc Herniation

The research team led by Choi Hongwook, Korean Medicine Doctor at the Spine and Joint Research Institute of Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine, announced on May 28 that their study analyzing the effectiveness of herbal medicine as an adjunct treatment for patients with lumbar disc herniation was published in the SCI(E)-indexed international journal, Journal of Herbal Medicine (IF=1.9).

Lumbar disc herniation is a spinal disorder in which the intervertebral disc protrudes and compresses the surrounding nerves, causing not only lower back pain but also symptoms such as numbness or radiating pain in the hips and legs. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), four out of every ten people worldwide experience lumbar disc herniation at least once in their lifetime.

Choi Hongwook, Oriental Medicine Doctor at Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine Spine and Joint Research Institute. Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine

Currently, the main treatments for lumbar disc herniation include medications such as analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as physical therapy. In severe cases, surgery is performed. However, the long-term use of medication can lead to side effects such as digestive disorders and increased blood pressure, and surgery also carries a risk of recurrence, meaning it does not guarantee optimal results for all patients. Due to these limitations, there has been a steady increase in interest in Korean medicine-based conservative treatments, including herbal medicine. In particular, as lumbar disc herniation is now included in the pilot project for health insurance coverage of prescription herbal medicine, patient access to treatment has significantly improved. However, comprehensive studies summarizing the effectiveness of these treatments have been limited until now.

This study systematically collected and analyzed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in 12 major domestic and international medical journal databases and clinical practice guidelines up to June 2024. Randomized controlled trials, in which patients are randomly assigned to either a treatment group or a control group to compare treatment effects, are considered the most reliable method for establishing clinical evidence. The research team selected a total of 23 studies involving 2,506 patients and evaluated the effects of herbal medicine when used in combination with existing treatments.

The analysis showed that when herbal medicine was administered alongside conventional treatments to patients with lumbar disc herniation, there were significant improvements in both pain relief and functional recovery. In terms of pain reduction, based on the visual analog scale (VAS: 0 indicating no pain and 10 indicating extreme pain), the group that received both herbal medicine and conventional Western medical treatment had an average post-treatment pain score that was 2.0 points lower than the group that received only conventional Western medical treatment. Additionally, the group that received both herbal medicine and Korean medicine treatments had an average pain score that was 1.81 points lower than the group that received only Korean medicine treatment.

Significant results were also observed in terms of functional improvement in the lower back. Based on the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score for lumbar function (0–29, with higher scores indicating better function), the group that received both herbal medicine and Korean medicine treatments had an average score that was 1.58 points higher than the group that received only Korean medicine treatment. Similarly, the group that received herbal medicine in combination with conventional Western medical treatment had an average score that was 1.11 points higher than the group that received only conventional Western medical treatment.

Furthermore, the most frequently used herbal prescription in this study was 'Duhuo Jisheng Tang.' Out of the 23 selected studies, nine used Duhuo Jisheng Tang. Its main ingredient, 'Duhuo,' is a herbal medicine commonly used to relieve lower back pain caused by cold and dampness, and it is particularly effective for lower limb joint disorders. Duhuo Jisheng Tang is a decoction made by boiling about 16 different herbs, including Duhuo, with ginger. It is used to treat disc disorders through various mechanisms, such as controlling musculoskeletal pain and inflammation and inhibiting intervertebral disc cell damage.

Choi Hongwook, Korean Medicine Doctor at the Spine and Joint Research Institute of Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine, stated, "This study is meaningful in that it summarizes, based on evidence, the significant effects of herbal medicine treatment on pain relief and functional improvement in patients with lumbar disc herniation," adding, "I hope these findings will serve as foundational data for establishing integrated medical treatment strategies and developing clinical practice guidelines in the future."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.