The purpose of this clinical study was to compare the effects of electroacupuncture (EAP) and selected physical therapy (SPT) on pain, range of motion, and neurological signs of patients with spine pain. Ten patients were randomly assigned to EAP or SPT groups prior to receiving a thorough evaluation. The EAP group received treatment with an electroacupuncture device at lower extremity, back, and ear acupuncture points. The SPT group received combinations of moist heat, ultrasound, traction, and electrical stimulation. Immediately after treatment each patient was reevaluated. Subjective pain, straight leg raises, paresthesias, dural signs, and trunk range of motion measurements were taken. The control group was then given a compensatory treatment with electroacupuncture and a reevaluation. T-test analyses showed the electroacupuncture group to have statistically significant increases in range of motion, straight leg raising and decreased pain while the SPT group showed no improvement. The compensatory EAP treatment to the SPT produced significant improvement. Electroacupuncture was found to be effective as the initial treatment of spine pain. The implications for the rehabilitation of the spine pain patients are many. If pain is reduced early and range of motion is improved, the patient may respond better to exercise and mobilization.

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