The Effect of Massage Combined with Non-surgical Spinal Decompression System Traction on the Pain Level and Motor Function of Patients with Lumbar Disc Herniation

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effects of massage combined with non-surgical spinal decompression system traction on the pain level and motor function of patients with lumbar disc herniation (Lumbar Disc Herniation, LDH). Methods: From June 2023 to June 2024, 120 patients with LDH who were admitted to the massage department of Taihe Hospital in Shiyan City were selected. All patients originated from the orthopedic rehabilitation ward. All patients were randomly divided into the control group and the combined group, with 60 cases in each group. The control group received conventional massage treatment, while the combined group received non-surgical spinal decompression system (Non-surgical Spinal Decompression System, NSSDS) traction in addition to massage. The changes in visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), straight leg raising angle (SLR), and lumbar range of motion (ROM) before and after treatment were compared between the two groups, and the total effective rate was calculated. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 statistical software. Intra-group comparisons were performed using paired t-tests, and inter-group comparisons were performed using independent sample t-tests. Count data were analyzed using the χ² test. A P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: After treatment, both groups showed significant improvements in VAS, ODI, SLR, and ROM compared to before treatment (P < 0.05), and the improvement in the combined group was significantly greater than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The VAS score of the combined group decreased by (4.78 ± 0.91) points, which was better than that of the control group (3.68 ± 1.04) points (t = 6.12, P < 0.001); the improvement rate of ODI was significantly higher (t = 5.78, P < 0.001); the SLR angle and ROM were significantly improved (t = 4.96, P < 0.001). The total effective rate of the combined group was 93.3%, which was significantly higher than that of the control group (78.3%) (χ² = 4.25, P = 0.039). Conclusion: Massage combined with non-surgical spinal decompression system traction can significantly alleviate the pain of patients with lumbar disc herniation, improve lumbar range of motion and daily functional impairment, has high safety, and has better clinical efficacy than simple massage treatment.