Contemporary Nursing

Lumbar disc herniation (LDH),a prevalent chronic degenerative spinal disorder, severely compromises patients' quality of life. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) categorizes it under syndromes such as“lumbago”、“bi syndrome”, and “kidney deficiency lumbago”. The blood stasis and qi stagnation pattern is a common manifestation, often triggered by trauma or qi stagnation. This case study demonstrates the efficacy of a moxibustion and cupping therapy regimen based on the “meridian unblocking and stasis resolution” theory in treating a blood stasis and qi stagnation type LDH patient. Moxibustion warms meridians, dispels cold, and resolves stasis, while cupping activates qi circulation, reduces swelling, and alleviates pain. After syndrome differentiation, targeted moxibustion at specific acupoints, followed by cupping and tailored nursing interventions, achieved meridian unblocking and stasis resolution. After two weeks of treatment, the patient experienced significant relief from lower back pain, left lower limb swelling, numbness, and restricted mobility. The patient regained independent mobility and demonstrated marked improvement in quality of life.

Blood stasis and qi stagnation; Lumbar disc herniation; Moxibustion; Cupping; Traditional Chinese medicine nursing