OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of acupoint stimulation with electrodes combined with acupressure using an aromatic essential oil (lavender) as an add-on-treatment on pain relief and enhancing the physical functional activities among adults with sub-acute or chronic non-specific low back pain. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. SETTING: The community centre, Old-Aged Home and Women Workers Association, Hong Kong. INTERVENTION: 8-session relaxation acupoint stimulation followed by acupressure with lavender oil over a 3-week period. The control group received usual care only. OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes from baseline to the end of treatment were assessed in pain intensity (by visual analogue scale) and duration; lateral fingertip-to-ground distance in centimetres; walking time and interference on daily activities. RESULTS: The baseline VAS scores for the intervention and control groups were 6.38 (SEM = 0.22) and 5.70 (SEM = 0.37) out of 10, respectively (p = 0.24). One week after the end of treatment, the intervention group had 39% greater reduction in VAS pain intensity than the control group (p = 0.0001), improved walking time (p = 0.05) and greater lateral spine flexion range (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that 8-sessions of acupoint stimulation followed by acupressure with aromatic lavender oil were an effective method for short-term LBP relief. No adverse effects were reported. To complement mainstream medical treatment for sub-acute LBP, the combined therapy of acupoint stimulation followed by acupressure with aromatic lavender oil may be one of the choices as an add-on therapy for short-term reduction of LBP.

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